For individual Android developers in China looking to expand into overseas markets, Google Play is undoubtedly the preferred app publishing platform, supporting over 190 countries and regions with a low registration fee of just $25 for lifetime access to start publishing apps.

Additionally, Google Play supports various monetization models such as in-app purchases, subscriptions, and ad displays, allowing developers to choose the most suitable monetization method based on app type and user needs.

Before launching an app on Google Play, extensive testing is required to ensure app viability, including both developer-conducted tests and those required by Google Play.

Efficiently completing multi-version and multi-device testing is crucial and a common headache for many individual developers.

To quickly pass app review on Google Play, understanding the official testing requirements is essential.

Latest Testing Requirements: Reduced from 20 to 12 Testers

Google Play has adjusted the closed testing requirements for new individual developer accounts, reducing the “20 people + 14 days” requirement, effective from November 13, 2023, to “12 people + 14 days”.

This policy change has led many developers to wonder if Google Play is easing its restrictions.

Some developers believe that although the number of testers required for closed testing has decreased from 20 to 12, the difficulty of passing the review may not have lessened. For those planning to launch apps, it’s still important to carefully handle each review stage.

Let’s first understand the different types of testing:

• Internal Testing: Conducted within the developer’s team or with a limited group of external users, suitable for early-stage testing and issue fixing, allowing quick distribution to internal testers (no Google Play review required).

• Closed Testing: Alpha testing, usually involving core users and internal testers to gather targeted feedback and ensure compliance with Google Play policies. Currently, all newly created individual developer accounts must conduct closed testing, requiring at least 12 testers to participate continuously for 14 days.

• Open Testing: Allows the test version of the app to be displayed on Google Play, suitable for large-scale testing and collecting diverse feedback. Anyone can join the test and provide private feedback to the developer.

Closed Testing

Experienced individual developers know that closed testing is often the most likely to be rejected.

Some developers have summarized key requirements for closed testing:

• Multi-Device Compatibility: Ensure the app runs stably on devices of different brands, models, and configurations.
• Multi-Version Compatibility: Cover different versions of the Android system to avoid functional anomalies due to system differences.
• Security and Privacy Protection: Comply with Google Play’s security standards to ensure user data safety and privacy.

During closed testing, many developers face challenges in recruiting testers. However, there are many recruitment channels:

1. Recruit real users on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook.
2. Post recruitment ads in Google Play closed testing communities, offering rewards or mutual assistance.
3. Seek help from third-party service providers for closed testing.

Closed testing is invitation-based, so it’s generally necessary to find testers, obtain their Google email addresses (other email addresses are not supported), and then fill them into the testing track - tester quantity, so testers can download your app via a link for testing.

Recruiting enough people for formal closed testing over 14 consecutive days requires time and effort, and it’s challenging to ensure every recruit completes the testing with quality.

In fact, tools can be used to complete closed testing and improve testing efficiency. For example, using DuoPlus Cloud Mobile, which not only supports independent proxy configuration but also allows users to choose the system and brand model according to their needs, can effectively meet the testing scenarios, with the following advantages:

• Unlimited Multi-Open — Generate unlimited cloud mobiles, effectively reducing costs.
• Batch Control — Batch like, complete repetitive actions in bulk, improving efficiency.
• One-Click New Device — Real device parameters cannot be modified, making maintenance impossible (cloud mobile device parameters can be modified at any time, making testing and work more convenient for those with device parameter requirements).

Some may worry that using cloud mobiles for closed testing might lead to review issues, but this is not the case. Many individual developers use cloud mobiles for testing, and the results are almost indistinguishable from real-person real-device testing.

It’s important to note that testing review places great emphasis on the overall workload, and besides meeting testing requirements, developers also need to fill out a questionnaire about the testing situation.

Here are some experiences shared by developers who successfully launched their apps:

1. During the testing process, testers should provide some product feedback, ideally releasing some feedback 3-5 days later (only visible to developers). Developers can respond through the Google Play Console’s “Quality-Ratings and Reviews-Testing Feedback” path, creating some interaction.
2. If conditions allow, adjust the app based on user feedback and release a new version, or express in the questionnaire that feedback has been received and is planned for future adjustments, showing your determination to launch the app.
3. When filling out the questionnaire, describe the diversity of testers, emphasizing communication and interaction with testers, problem discovery, and resolution processes.

These operations align with the best practices described in the Google Play Help Center, helping you improve your approval rate.

Exclusive Cloud Mobile Discounts

Whether using tools or finding real people to complete the closed testing process, it’s recommended to meticulously record all data and feedback during testing. This will help Google Play officials better understand the app’s viability and performance, facilitating a smooth launch.

For those interested in using cloud mobile tools for closed testing, discount benefits are available: Click https://duoplus.saaslink.net/GooglePlay to register and purchase with a 5% discount~

Conclusion

As time progresses, Google Play is becoming increasingly stringent in app launches, with frequent policy updates. This reflects the high-quality standards maintained by the app store, while also posing higher demands on developers. Actively participating in developer community discussions and striving to improve app quality are essential for long-term development.