Guide to complete Google's Closed App Testing

As of November 17, 2023, Google has implemented a new policy requiring all apps to undergo a closed testing phase with a minimum of 20 testers. These testers must remain active throughout the entire 14-day testing period. The goal of this policy is to enhance the overall quality of apps on the Google Play Store.


This change poses a particular challenge for new developers and small companies that may lack a large user base for testing. To address this, we’ve created ClosedAppTesting—a platform designed to help you meet Google’s requirements quickly and efficiently.


In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to complete the closed testing phase for your app, and show how our services can streamline the process.


Create and set up your app

Before starting on the closed testing phase for your app, it’s necessary that a few requirements are completed.

Create your app

  • Create a Google Play developer account.

  • Open Play console

  • Select All apps > Create app.

  • Complete all the requested information like the default language, the name of your app as you want it to appear on Google Play, a contact email for users and if is paid or free.

  • Accept the "Developer Program Policies" the "US export laws" declarations and the Play App Signing Terms of Service.


Set up your app

After you create your app, you can start setting it up. Your app's dashboard will guide you through all the most important steps to get your app available on Google Play.
You'll start by providing details about your app's content, and entering information for your Google Play store listing.


To start setting up your app, select Dashboard on the left menu. Under your app's details at the top of the page, you'll see a checklist of tasks you need to complete to get your app ready for testing and production.


When you complete a task, you'll see a checkmark next to it.


You will provide some information about your app and set up your Google Playstore listing. Then you must specify your app's category, provide contact information, adding screenshots, etc.

Testing your app

Before releasing your app to the millions of users of Google Play you must test it with a specific groups of testers, get feedback and improve your app. As we mentioned at the beginning, developers with personal accounts created after November 13, 2023, must meet specific testing requirements before they can release their app.


There are three kind of testing that you can perform: Internal Testing, Closed Testing and Open Testing

  • Internal testing: Before you've finished setting up your app, you can quickly distribute builds to a small group of trusted testers. This can help you to identify issues and get early feedback. Iternal testing is optional but recommended.

  • Closed testing: With closed testing you can share your app with a group of testers that you control. This allows you to fix issues and ensure that your app complies with Google Play policy before you launch. You must run a closed test before you can apply to publish your app to production. At least 20 testers must be opted-in for the last 14 days continously. You can start a closed test once you're finished setting up your app.

  • Open testing: With open testing, you can share your app's test version on Google Play. Anyone can join your testing program and submit feedback to you. Open testing is available when you have production access.

  • Production. In production you make your app available to billions of users on Google Play. Before you can apply to publish your app to production, you need to run a closed test which meets our criteria. When you apply, you'll also need to fulfill a form with some questions about your closed test.


So, to be clear, in order for your app to make it up to production you need to complete the closed testing. This is where our services comes into play.


The Closed Testing Phase

Once you've finished setting up your app you can start the closed testing phase.


Create the track

  • Go to Testing > Closed testing

  • Click Create track and name it

  • Click on Select testers.

  • Obtain your testers in https://www.closedapptesting.com. Add some personal mails too in order to check that you can access the join links correctly.

  • Add a URL or email for feedback from the testers.

  • Copy the join link for Android and Web. It is required for our service to work.

  • Click save

Create the release

Once you set up your track you can continue with the creation of the release for the closed testing.


  • Create release. Here you must upload your app bundle in .aab format, give a release name and release notes.

  • Preview and confirm the release
  • Send the release to Google for review.

How to get your testers in closedapptesting.com

  • Start by either creating a new account or logging into your existing account on the ClosedAppTesting platform.

  • Navigate to your dashboard and create a new app testing request. Make sure to complete all required fields accurately to avoid any delays. Take special care validating both Android's and Web's URL.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure it works by adding a personal account of your own and checking that it sends you to the app listing on the Playstore for the Android link and to the Web with a join button in the Web version.

  • After filling in the necessary details, proceed to select your preferred testing method. This allows you to customize the testing process according to your specific needs. The options are:


    • Confirmation only When you use the free request this is the confirmation you get. It uses the Web URL to confirm the request.

    • Confirmation and install. It confirms the request by installing it.

  • If required, complete the payment process to finalize your request.

  • Once your app request is successfully created, go to the request details page. Here, you will find a list of tester accounts.

  • Copy these tester accounts and add them as testers in your Google Play Console. This step is critical to ensuring that the testing group is properly configured.

  • After adding the testers, return to the ClosedAppTesting platform and click the confirm button. This action sends a confirmation request to our team.

  • Our team will verify the addition of testers within an estimated timeframe of 48 hours. You will receive a notification via email confirming that everything is in order.

  • In the event of any errors, you will be notified and return to the previous step. You can then address the issues and re-click the confirm button to resend the verification request.

  • Once the confirmation is successfully completed, your app will enter the 14-day closed testing phase.

Aditional considerations

When this policy started it was only necessary to confirm the testers through the URL provided (just clicking the button, no installing required). But now Google is starting to be more strict and is requiring certain actions to be performed. It is now common to receive a mail stating "Your app isn't ready for Google Play production yet".

The main reasons for rejection are the following:


  • You did not fill correctly the form that you must complete after the 14 days. Please make sure that you've filled all the form fields with care. Take your time responding and giving extensive answers to the questions. This will increase your odds of approval.
  • You did not create bundles through the 14 days to "fix" bugs reported by developers. To avoid this, please upload new bundles with small changes during the testing. Since this is a testing process it is expected that you listen to testers feedback and update your app accordingly. Uploading a new version will not interrupt the 14 days.
  • Under Testing > Pre-launch report > Overview you can see the issues that Google found in your app. Make sure to have less than 10 issues since this can also be a reason for rejection.
  • Testers were not engaged. The testers may need to install and open periodically the app. Use our premium plan or try adding some non automated testers than open the app.

Following these steps will ensure that your app smoothly transitions through Google's closed app testing phase, bringing you closer to a successful public release. Our support team is always available to assist with any questions or issues that may arise during this process. We are committed to help you achieve a seamless testing experience.