Does Alpha/Beta apk publishing works unpublished app in Google Play?

Question

I did setup and uploaded new apk for alpha release as per mentioned here by creating Google Group and adding that group for Alpha release. But alpha test accounts still not able to download application from Google Play. Link generated from developer console lets tester to opt in, but does not let download application. I did this for unpublished app and it's almost 24 hours passed but still Google Play client gives "Item not found" error.

Am I missing something or do I need to simply wait more ?

Answer 1

It turns out that your application needs to be published in all countries to be able to get alpha/beta builds.

Answer 2

Click All Applications in the upper left of the Play Store View and click on your APK.

You will see this:

Note, when clicking the same Draft button from other screens you won't see the drop down.

Click Why can't I publish and you will see something like this:

So now, do those things, click your APK and go to the APK section and fill out the required items (description, photos, etc) and click save. Then go to the Pricing & Distribution section and do the same (look for the * to indicate required fields) and click save.

Then you will see this in the upper right:

Sweet! When you click Publish you will get a message saying that the APK will be available in a couple hours. Because this is for Alpha or Beta publishing on the Google Play Store the APK will only be available to Play Store accounts in the community or email group you set up.

Now go back to your Alpha or Beta tag and look at the Testers section for "Manage List of Testers", click that link and there will now be a link you have to share with your testers. They have to visit that link to BECOME A TESTER at which point they can get the APK.

Man, that wasn't easy, but it works!

Answer 3

You need to publish the alpha APK before it is available to download.

See here for more info. https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/3131213

Answer 4

I had to publish the application but not in all countries, the country I live in was enough for me to see it. However, It appears that I have to pay for my own application to test it making it a bit pointless. Edit: Adding accounts under settings will make it possible to make test purchases for in app-billing, probably also for paid-apps. It can take a few hours before others can download beta apps, but I have not experiences 24hrs, usually around 2-4hrs.