Actions on Google - My alpha tester could not access my action

Question

Initially, I built up a test agent on DialogFlow console according to the document, and it works well on the Actions On Google which is a simulator of Google Assistant on mobile devices.

Then, I deployed it through the Release in the left menu as you can see the pic attached.

deployed successfully

After that, I added some Alpha Testers including my colleague and sent my opt-in link to my colleague, besides, I granted them all the viewer permission in IAM.

However, problem appeared. It didn't work well on my testers’ phone(IOS 10+) but only worked well on developer's account(mine). When they opened the link I sent to them, and clicked send to devices, then clicked the notification on top of the screen.

send to device

The result is shown as below.

Google Assistant didn't respond to "Talk to mytest app"

In my case the command was set as "Talk to hello qad", and it did work well on my phone used the developer account.

developer account works well

If my tester input the text "Talk to hello qad", it just replied some direct searching results not hello qad diaglog.

To recap:

• My action has already been in "deployed" status for couple of days

• I've added the tester accounts in whitelist and give them "Viewer" permission in IAM

• Testers could see the action directory page in devices by open opt-in link, but they couldn't see the "I'm In" button and couldn't access the action

Appreciate for any help or advice

Answer 1

During my project development, I also faced a similar issue. This is how managed to do testing:

• Made sure all Google Accounts were created with the US as the country.
• Through IAM, share AoG project with the tester's Google accounts.
• All testers to open the shared simulator link in their browsers. This is important!
• Test the app on browser first using the simulator.
• Once tested, use any device with the whitelisted Google Accounts.

US country was required for my use case as I was having Transaction API in my Assistant. I had to also mock my location to the US on mobile for testing US specific features.

See if the above steps help you.

Answer 2

I contacted Google and this is what they said:

You have to copy the link to the notes app, and then click it and in the prompt, choose “Open in Assistant”.

Full text:

Please ensure that the opt-in link is opened in Google Assistant app and not in a browser. At this time, Google Assistant app is only available in USA. For opening an opt-in link in iPhone or any iOS device, please follow the steps below:

1. Download the Assistant App in App Store

2. Log in using the included account for Beta testing
3. Copy the opt-in URL to Notes app

4. Hold press the opt-in link then select 'Open in "Assistant"'. Google Assistant and App page in the Assistant Directory will be displayed.

5. Scroll down the page until you see the "Become a Beta tester" section

6. Click the I'M IN button

7. Test the Action

This does not work for me, probably because I am not in the US. However, the app is of course available here.