The 12 testers for 14 days rule

Google has a rule for personal developer accounts made after November 2023: before an app can go public on Google Play, at least 12 people must test it in a closed test for 14 days in a row. Then you apply for production and Google decides.

Organization accounts don't have this rule. Not sure which you have? It's what you chose when you signed up: Yourself is a personal account. See Get a Google Play developer account.

StoreReady sends your builds to the closed test and shows your testing link. Finding the 12 people is the part only you can do.

1. Find at least 12 testers

• Friends, family, colleagues, or people waiting for your app.
• Each one needs a Google account and an Android phone.
• Ask a few more than 12, like 15. If someone leaves the test early, you're still covered.

The easiest way to manage them is a Google Group: make one at groups.google.com, for example myapp-testers@googlegroups.com, and add everyone's Gmail. People can also join the group themselves.

2. Send your app to closed testing

1. In StoreReady open your app's Testing tab.
2. Under Closed testing, add your Google Group, like myapp-testers@googlegroups.com, and press Save testers.
3. Set New builds go here on Closed testing, or pick Closed testing under Send it to when you press New build.
4. Start a build. Google reviews the first closed test, usually within a few days.

3. Get your testers in

1. Once Google approves it, the Testing tab shows your testing link, like https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.company.app.
2. Send the link to your testers. They open it on their Android phone, tap Become a tester, then install the app from Google Play.
3. The 14 days count from the day you have 12 people who joined. People who were only invited don't count.

Ask your testers to keep the app installed and to open it now and then over the two weeks. Their feedback helps with the next step.

4. Apply for production

After 14 days, Play Console's Dashboard shows Apply for production.

1. Press it and answer Google's questions. They ask how you found your testers, what they said and what you changed because of it, and why the app is ready.
2. Press Submit. Google usually answers within 7 days.

Once Google says yes, open the Testing tab in StoreReady and press Move to production on the closed testing track. Nothing is built again. Google reviews the release and it goes live.

If Google says no

Google tells you why, often that the test was too short or testers didn't really use the app. Keep the closed test running, push an update with what your testers asked for and apply again.

Good to know

• Updates you send during the test don't restart the 14 days.
• Your internal testing track doesn't count toward the rule. Only closed testing does.
• See also Google Play testing tracks.