How to Add Testers to Google Play Console, Step by Step

Before you start

• Your app exists in Play Console and you have an app bundle ready to upload.
• You have a list of tester email addresses. Each one must be the Google account (Gmail or Google Workspace) that the tester uses on their Android phone.

Step by step

1. Open the closed testing trackIn Play Console, select your app and go to Test and release, then Testing, then Closed testing. Click Manage track and open the Testers tab.
2. Create an email listMake a named list, then type the addresses or upload a CSV file. Save the list.
3. Choose who can joinSelect your email list. You can also use a Google Group (yourgroupname@googlegroups.com) instead. Only members of that group can join your test.
4. Add a feedback channelEnter a feedback email or URL. It appears on the opt-in page. Testers cannot leave public Play Store reviews for test versions, so this is where they report problems.
5. Copy the opt-in link and saveCopy the shareable link, then click Save changes.
6. Create and roll out a releaseUpload your app bundle, add release notes and roll the release out to the closed testing track.
7. Send the link to your testersEach tester opens the link with their Google account, joins the test and installs the app from Google Play. After the first publication, the link can take several hours to start working.
8. Check that everyone joinedAsk testers to confirm they joined and installed the app, and remind them to stay opted in for 14 days.

Tips for the CSV file

• Put each email address on its own line, with no commas.
• Uploading a CSV replaces any addresses already in that list, so upload the full list each time.
• If Play Console rejects the file, save it again as plain UTF-8 without a BOM, for example with a simple text editor.

Limits to know

Each closed track can have up to 50 tester lists. Each list can hold up to 2,000 testers, and each app can have up to 200 lists in total. For a 12-tester requirement you will never come close, but it is good to know. Google describes everything on its closed test setup page.

Common problems

A tester cannot find the app

Testers who cannot find the app in search need your opt-in link. Right after the first publication, the link can also take several hours to work, so wait and try again.

The tester used the wrong account

The account on your list must be the one signed in to the Play Store on the tester's device. A different Google account will not see your test.

Group members cannot join

If you use a Google Group, people must join the group before they can opt in to the test.

Testers leave before 14 days

A tester who leaves early does not count toward the requirement. Remind everyone to stay opted in. Our guide on getting 12 testers has tips for keeping them active.

Using our tester list

If you order from 12AppTesting, you receive our tester email list as a CSV file with a simple guide. Upload it as your list in step 2, send us your opt-in link, and our testers handle the rest for 14 days plus 7 extra days.