Publisher Guide

Step-by-Step Testing Guide

Follow these 5 steps to set up closed testing on your Google Play Console and connect PlayLaunch testers. Every step has screenshots, so you always know where to click.

1
Step 1 of 5

Create a Closed Testing Track

Google requires a Closed Testing track to qualify your app for production.

  1. Open Google Play Console and select your app.
  2. In the left sidebar, go to Testing → Closed testing.
  3. Click Create track in the top-right corner.
  4. Enter a track name (e.g., PlayLaunch Testing Track) and click Create track.
Important: Internal testing tracks do NOT count toward Google's 14-day, 12-tester requirement. You must use a Closed testing track.
Testing → Closed testing page with the Create track button
Image 1 Testing → Closed testing page with the Create track button
2
Step 2 of 5

Add Tester Emails

Add PlayLaunch's verified tester emails to your new closed track.

  1. Open your Closed testing track and select the Testers tab.
  2. Under Email lists, click Create email list.
  3. Enter a list name (e.g., PlayLaunch Testers).
  4. Copy or download the tester list from your PlayLaunch developer dashboard, then paste or upload it and click Save.
  5. Tick the box next to your new list in the track settings and click Save changes.
Tip: If the list is not ticked in the track settings, our testers will not get access to your app.
Testers tab with the Create email list button
Image 1 Testers tab with the Create email list button
Tester emails pasted into the email list and the list ticked
Image 2 Tester emails pasted into the email list and the list ticked
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Step 3 of 5

Publish the Release

Create and roll out a release inside your Closed Testing track.

  1. Go back to your Closed testing track and open the Releases tab.
  2. Click Create new release.
  3. Upload your App Bundle (.aab) file.
  4. Add release notes and click Next.
  5. Review, then click Start rollout to Closed testing.
Note: Google may take a few days to review your release before it goes live to testers.
Releases tab with the Create new release button
Image 1 Releases tab with the Create new release button
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Step 4 of 5

Retrieve and Share the Join URL

Give PlayLaunch the opt-in link so our testers can join your track.

  1. In Closed testing, select your track and open the Testers tab again.
  2. Scroll to How testers join your test.
  3. Copy the Join on the Android link (it looks like https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=your.package.name).
  4. Paste it into the Testing URL field on the PlayLaunch Submit App form.
How testers join your test section with the Join on the web link
Image 1 How testers join your test section with the Join on the Android link
Testing URL field on the PlayLaunch Submit App form
Image 2 Testing URL field on the PlayLaunch Submit App form
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Step 5 of 5

Start the Campaign

Once you submit, PlayLaunch assigns our active testers automatically. They install your app, use it daily and report bugs. You can follow progress on your dashboard.

  1. Submit the app form with your package name and Testing URL.
  2. We start the closed testing within 8 hours of payment.
  3. Track daily tester activity and feedback on your PlayLaunch dashboard.
PlayLaunch dashboard showing daily tester activity
Image 1 PlayLaunch dashboard showing daily tester activity

Before you submit, check this

  • A Closed testing track is created (not Internal testing).
  • The PlayLaunch tester email list is saved and ticked in the track.
  • Your .aab release is rolled out to Closed testing.
  • You copied the Join on the Android link, not a different URL.
  • The link is pasted into the Testing URL field on PlayLaunch.
Stuck on a step? Email support@playlaunch.in or message us on WhatsApp.