The Complete Android Closed Testing Guide: From Securing 12 Testers to a 14-Day Finish

To successfully launch an Android app on Google Play, you must go through the Android Closed Testing phase. This complete guide covers every requirement, procedure, and success strategy for closed testing in detail.

What is Android Closed Testing?

Android Closed Testing is a test distribution system provided by Google Play Console. It restricts app access to a limited group of users, allowing you to verify the stability and functionality of your app on real devices before the production release.

The Importance of Closed Testing

Google Play mandates Closed Testing before a production release to guarantee app quality. Through it, you can:

Verify behavior on real devices: See how your app actually works on real devices rather than emulators
Catch bugs early: Find and fix critical bugs before release
Improve the user experience: Refine the app with feedback from real users
Comply with store policies: Meet Google Play's quality standards

Essential Requirements for Android Closed Testing

To release to production on Google Play, you must meet the following conditions.

1. 12+ Testers (Critical)

This is the most demanding requirement. It's not simply about the number of people on your tester list — you need testers who actually install and launch the app to number 12 or more.

> Important: Even if a tester receives the invitation email, they won't be counted unless they install the app.

2. 14-Day Testing Period (Mandatory)

At least 14 days must pass from the date the first tester installs the app before a production release is possible.

> Note: Testers must continuously launch the app over those 14 days. Simply installing the app without running it may not satisfy the requirement.

3. Tester Activity Verification

Google Play monitors tester activity. It checks whether testers actually launch and use the app.

4. Technical Requirements

Android App Bundle (.aab): The same format used for production
Signed release build: A release build, not a debug build
Target SDK level: Use the latest target SDK level (35 or higher)
Permission policy: Request only the permissions you need

The Full Android Closed Testing Process

Step 1: Establish a Test Plan

Set Testing Goals

Core feature testing: Verify that key features work correctly
Compatibility testing: Verify the app works across various devices and Android versions
Performance testing: Confirm the app's performance is at an acceptable level
Usability testing: Confirm users can use the app easily

Plan the Test Schedule

Total testing period: At least 14 days (18 days recommended)
Tester recruitment period: Begin recruiting one week in advance
Test execution period: Continuous execution over 14 days
Feedback collection period: Ongoing collection throughout the entire period

Step 2: Recruit Testers

Traditional Tester Recruitment Methods

5. Leverage acquaintances: Ask family, friends, and colleagues

6. Use communities: Developer communities, Reddit, Facebook groups

7. Social media: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn

8. Paid tester platforms: UserTesting, Testbirds

Problems with Traditional Methods

Time-consuming: Takes 2–4 weeks to find testers
Uncertainty: No guarantee that recruited testers will actually participate
Management burden: Significant time spent managing and communicating with testers
Hard to sustain for 14 days: Difficult to keep testers continuously launching the app for 14 days

Step 3: Configure Play Console

Create a Closed Testing Track

9. Open Google Play Console

10. Select your app > Testing and releases > Closed testing

11. Click Create new track

12. Enter a track name (e.g., 'Closed Testing Track 1')

13. Create the track

Set Up a Tester Group

14. Click Manage tester lists

15. Choose how to create the tester group:

- Use a Google Groups email - Use a Google+ community - Upload an individual email list (CSV file)

16. Enter the tester email list

17. Send the tester invitation emails

Distribute the App

18. Select the track > click Create new release

19. Upload the Android App Bundle (.aab) file

20. Enter release notes

21. Check "Notify testers"

22. Click Review and release

Step 4: Run and Monitor the Test

Google Play Console Monitoring

You can check the following information in Google Play Console:

Number of testers: The number of testers who have currently installed the app
Crash reports: ANR and crash status
User feedback: Feedback from testers
Install statistics: Daily install counts

Additional Monitoring Tools

Firebase Crashlytics: Real-time crash reporting
Google Analytics: User behavior analysis
Performance Monitoring: App performance monitoring

Step 5: Prepare for the Production Release

Pre-Launch Checklist

12+ testers have installed and launched the app

14+ days of testing have elapsed

Critical bugs have been fixed

Crash reports reviewed and issues resolved

User feedback incorporated

Testing completed across various devices

Production survey completed

Production Release

30. Complete the production survey: Complete the production survey in Google Play Console

31. Upload the app bundle: Upload the production Android App Bundle

32. Store listing information: Prepare the app description, screenshots, icon, etc.

33. Release: Release to production

Automating Android Closed Testing: The Doply Solution

The traditional Android Closed Testing approach takes a great deal of time and effort. Doply fully automates this process.

Automation Features Doply Provides

1. Automatically Secure 12+ Testers

Doply provides more than 20 automated testers.

Testing can begin within 24 hours
The 12-tester requirement is met immediately
No tester recruitment needed

2. Automatically Meet the 14-Day Testing Period

Doply runs tests automatically every day for 18 days.

Automatic execution at 9 AM every day
100% compliance with the 14-day requirement
No developer intervention required

3. Testing on 32 Real Android Devices

Real devices are used, not emulators.

Various manufacturers including Samsung, LG, and Xiaomi
A range of screen sizes and Android versions
Conditions similar to a real usage environment

4. Automatic Update Checks

When a new version is released, it is detected and installed automatically.

Update checks at 3 AM every day
Automatic installation when a new version is found
No manual checks needed

5. Real-Time Monitoring

You can monitor testing progress in real time on the dashboard.

Detailed logs provided
Automatic screenshot collection
Per-device testing status

How to Use Doply

Step 1: Download the Tester CSV File

Download the CSV file containing 20+ testers' information from the Doply dashboard.

Step 2: Register the Testers in Play Console

Upload the CSV file to the closed testing track in Google Play Console.

Step 3: Register Your App in Doply

Enter your app's install link or package name in Doply.

Step 4: Check Service Availability

Doply automatically checks whether your app is available for the service. (Takes about 1 minute)

Step 5: Pay and Start Testing

After payment is complete, testing begins automatically.

Step 6: Monitor Progress

You can monitor testing progress in real time on the dashboard.

Doply Pricing

Doply offers a single plan of ₩9,000/app (approximately $6.99 USD) for individuals and sole proprietors.

20+ testers
18-day testing period
32 real Android devices
24/7 automation system
Real-time monitoring

Best Practices for Android Closed Testing

1. Plan Thoroughly

Clear goals: Clearly define what to test
Test scenarios: Write specific test scenarios
Success criteria: Set the criteria for a successful test

2. Test on a Variety of Devices

Popular devices: Prioritize devices with high market share
Varied screens: Test small, medium, and large screens alike
Android versions: Test both the latest and older versions

3. Continuous Monitoring

Daily checks: Check testing progress every day
Bug reports: Immediately report bugs you find
Feedback collection: Continuously gather tester feedback

4. Respond Quickly

Bug fixes: Fix discovered bugs immediately
Update releases: Roll out fixed versions quickly
Communication: Share changes with testers

Frequently Asked Questions About Android Closed Testing

Q: What's the difference between Android closed testing and internal testing?

A: Closed testing requires 12+ testers and a 14-day testing period, and it's a mandatory step for production release. Internal testing lets you add up to 100 testers, but it isn't part of the production release requirements.

Q: How long does it take to secure 12 testers?

A: With traditional methods, it can take 2–4 weeks. With Doply, you can start testing within 24 hours.

Q: Can the 14-day testing period be shortened?

A: No — per Google Play policy, the 14-day testing period is mandatory. However, with Doply, testing runs continuously for those 14 days, so you can use the period efficiently.

Q: Can I update the app during testing?

A: Yes. With Doply, new versions are detected and installed automatically, making update management easy.

Q: Which devices should I test on?

A: You should test on devices with high market share and a range of screen sizes. With Doply, your app is tested automatically across 32 different devices.

Conclusion: A Successful Android Closed Testing Strategy

Android Closed Testing is an essential step to successfully launch an app on Google Play. The traditional approach demands considerable time and effort, but with Doply you can fully automate the process.

Advantages of Using Doply

Save time: Secure 12+ testers instantly
Guaranteed compliance: 100% compliance with the 14-day testing period
Diverse devices: Tested across 32 real Android devices
Real-time monitoring: Detailed logs and screenshots provided
Easy management: Proceeds automatically without developer intervention
Cost-effective: ₩9,000/app (approximately $6.99 USD) for individuals and sole proprietors

Next Steps

Start automating your Android Closed Testing with Doply today:

45. Try the Doply demo

46. Get started for free

47. Request a consultation

Doply is with you every step of the way to a successful app launch!