Beta version in the Android store. Where is the link to enter the tester?

Question

How to publish beta in the Android store?

I'm trying to allow beta testing of my mobile phone app in the Android games store. I already downloaded the signed apk on the beta tab and added a google + group with some users inside ... but I'm a little surprised that I can not find how to install or even find this application on testers smartphones. I selected myself as a user in a group, but I can’t see the link to the application or something like that. Should the app be visible to beta users in the app store? Or do I need to click the publish button? The info popup reports:

"Your app can only be used by your testers when it is published to Google Play. If your app has no production APK then it will only be visible to Alpha and Beta testers. The link that your testers can use to opt-in will be displayed here when you have published your app." 

It seems to me that it should be published. But does this not mean that the beta apk will be transferred to the published area and will no longer be a beta version? I'm afraid that the application will be visible to all users in the game store, not only for my beta testers.

Can someone explain to me how to publish beta only for my testers?

EDIT: It seems that all I need is a missing link. Any idea why?

Answer 1

To be able to share the link with your group, you must first click the "Publish" button in the upper right corner. After that, you will see that the link for sharing with users will appear in the form of demonstrations above.

I am adding this picture to the discussion to clarify which one to click and what not to click on.

In the discussion above, I was still a little worried about clicking the publish button. I just did it and it works.

Answer 2

For clarity, I thought I would share what it looks like. After publishing your beta app, you need to wait up to 24 hours (it took me about 12), and then go to "Managing the list of testers" on the tab "Beta testing". When it is ready, you will see a link available for exchange:

Answer 3

Not enough points for comments, therefore, a separate answer. I suggest downloading a new assembly after setting up the beta.

I created a new application and rolled out a beta version of the application. After that, I turned on Closed Beta for the list of users - alas, no sitelink was generated.

Having scratched my head a bit, I released a NEW assembly, which immediately generated an optional link.

I thought that turning on “closed beta testing” AFTER the beta release could cause a problem, and maybe that’s why the user interface is designed the way it is ... just an assumption.

Try releasing a new assembly.

Answer 4

This is really a problem that Google should solve as soon as possible. You enter the console, hoping to find the sections, but the documentation says something else. I just solved this and found the link, here are the steps updated with the current console user interface, which does not match the documentation:

1. Open the Google Play Console
2. Open your application
3. In the left pane, go to Release Management → Application Releases
4. Scroll down to the section " Internal test track ", click " Management".
5. Go to Tester Management and click Internal Test
6. Below you will see a link if everything is configured correctly and the application is published.

VERY IMPORTANT

• You need to set up an internal test list, I assume that if you are looking for a link, you have already done so.

• The application must be published, remember that it will take several hours, otherwise you will not be able to see the link.

Here are the screenshots: