Google Play Console - Internal Testing link does not work

Question

I have an app published to Google Play Console for Internal Testing i.e. I just want this app to be available to certain users. Below is the current summary of the app;

Note this is the second release i 'tried' to see if there will be any difference; I first uploaded a .AAB file then in the latest release I uploaded the .APK file.

Below is the link I send to my testers;

Issue is that when a tester clicks on the link, they opt in the 'programme' and have an option to download it on google play. When they click on that link, its either just infinite loading or a message to say the requested URL was not found on this server.

• Please note this app has not been published to the play store as a live version.
• This is the first time the app has been uploaded to internal testing.
• The app has been first published for internal testing last Friday (6th of Nov) and now is 9th of Nov.

On the dashboard, there is an announcement as shown below but I cannot see anywhere the 'status' of the app i.e. to say its being reviewed etc.

Reply from Google;

I understand you have some concerns about app pending issue. Please note that after you submit a new app or an update to an existing app on your Play Console, it can take some time for your app to be processed for publishing on Google Play. Any time you make a change to your app while a review is already pending will mean the review period starts over. Furthermore, any submissions can't be retrieved or cancelled. As a result, we recommend you adjust your planning to account for this and avoid resubmitting.

For certain developer accounts, we’ll take more time to thoroughly review your app(s) to help better protect users. This may result in review times of up to 7 days or longer in exceptional cases. You can always view the current status on your Publishing overview page. When the review is completed, you will see "You don't have any changes in review" under Changes in review section. In addition, we would also like to remind you that if you turned on the managed publishing mode, your update won't be published until you click "Review and publish."

Answer 1

Had the same problem. Now my app is visible to internal testers. You have to finish all the checks and formalities before your app shows up on the Play Store like agreeing to the tncs and privacy policy, adding descriptions, screenshots, etc. I also enabled sharing of app via URL by going to Setup > Internal app sharing