Add our testers with an email list

1. 1

   Download the testers CSV

   One file with every tester address for your closed test.testers-emails.csv

   • Keep the file. The same list works for every app you publish.
2. 2

   Upload it under Email lists, then tick it

   In Play Console, open Test and release, then Testing, then Closed testing, and select your track. On the Testers tab, open the Email lists section, create a list, and upload the CSV.

   Uploaded the list and saved, leaving its checkbox unticked

   Ticked the checkbox next to the list, then saved

   

   • This is the step almost everyone gets wrong. Creating the list does not attach it to the track.
   • Upload the CSV exactly as downloaded. One retyped address drops that tester.
3. 3

   Select all countries

   Under Countries / regions, select every available country. Our testers are worldwide, and a country you leave out is a tester who cannot install.

   

   • Use the All countries / regions option rather than picking them by hand.
4. 4

   Send the changes to review

   Submit the release for Google's review. Approval usually lands within a few hours.

   

   • Save every change first. Unsaved edits are not included in the review.
5. 5

   Publish after approval

   Approval is not the same as publishing. Once Google approves, click Publish so the track goes live and testers can opt in.

   

   • Approved is not live. The last click is Publish.

Six things that go wrong

• Creating the email list but never ticking it

  By far the most common one. The list exists and the CSV is uploaded, but the checkbox next to it on the Testers tab was never selected, so the track lets nobody in.

• Retyping the addresses by hand

  Upload testers-emails.csv exactly as downloaded. One typo drops that tester.

• Leaving countries out

  Select all available countries so international testers can reach the app.

• Forgetting to save

  Click Save after each change before you move on.

• Not sending the changes for review

  Saved changes still have to be submitted for Google's approval before they go live.

• Stopping at approval

  Approved is not published. The last click is Publish.