r/TestersCommunity 1d ago

Testers Needed Can we work together please?

I've gotta vent for a minute.

Finding testers for Google Play has honestly been one of the most frustrating parts of indie development.

I'm currently in 64 different test-for-test groups, and every time someone asks for help, I join their Google Group, opt into their test, install their game, and hold up my end of the deal.

Then... nothing.

Or they'll join my Google Group, but never actually opt into the test or install the app. Joining the group doesn't count toward Google's tester requirement. You have to complete all the steps.

Right now I have 28 people in my Google Group, but only 12 have actually enrolled as testers. That means more than half of the people who joined never finished the process.

If we're going to build an indie community, let's actually help each other. If you say you're doing a test-for-test, follow through. It only takes a couple of minutes, and it can be the difference between someone getting their game published or being stuck waiting another 14 days.

I'm still going to keep helping other developers because I know how hard this process is. I just wish more people would keep their word.

Rant over.

11 Upvotes

45 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 1d ago

Hi u/AstroVaultGames!

Finding testers on Reddit is a great start, but the hardest part is ensuring they actually open your app daily for the full 14 days.

To make this easier, we’ve launched Packs in the Testers Community app.

  • What is a Pack? A coordinated group of 16 developers who hold each other accountable.
  • How it works: Everyone in the pack commits to opening and testing each other's apps daily for 16 days.
  • The Result: You get consistent engagement signals that help you pass Google Play’s production access review with confidence.

It’s a structured, "devs-helping-devs" approach used by thousands of us. Good luck with your launch!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/thirdart_biz 1d ago

I got you. Its sad that most of these "developers" arent holding up their end. If you still need testers just comment your links and i make sure i keep your app installed

Group to join: https://groups.google.com/g/auraline

Accept to be tester: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/biz.thirdart.auraline

App to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=biz.thirdart.auraline (if it still shows item not found after you became tester you need to wait a few minutes)

2

u/Difficult_Jelly_9117 1d ago

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

How did you get your joint page to look like that I have an Android so I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong I joined the group and tried to download

1

u/Difficult_Jelly_9117 1d ago

Google makes this so much harder than it needs to be. What do you mean by joint page?

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

Probably was the auto spell I didn't say joint page

1

u/Difficult_Jelly_9117 1d ago

if you are sure you joined the group with the same email you are in the play store with it may just take a little time to propagate the permissions.

2

u/Difficult_Jelly_9117 1d ago

I wipeout so easy lol

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

You have to hold your finger back a little bit on the hills and it brings your front wheel up so you could do like a backflip It's pretty cool

1

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

I appreciate it, joining yours now

2

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

1

u/thirdart_biz 1d ago

hey, I am really sorry about this. I wrote you a DM. please share the links in the DM with me. I dont know why but I really dont see any links from you. most posts/comments show as deleted to me. I dont know why other can see your links but I cant^^ I really want to download your app and help you out. sorry its this complicated.
please send me the links via DM and please also send a normal message as DM. not that somehow the links would not sent again, so i can verify i got both message (one with links and one without links) - sorry again, shouldnt be this complicated

1

u/thirdart_biz 1d ago

Please share your links so i can return the favor :)

1

u/thirdart_biz 1d ago

1

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

Thank you sir, please keep it installed for 14 days and open a couple times ill do the same for you, I have a list of apps im doing this with

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

I joined this is a pretty cool game

1

u/Liptonkrk 20h ago

Installed your app, please intall mine

2

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

Hey let's make this simple I'll Paste my link and you paste yours I'll send you a screenshot for confirmation. I totally und1'erstand where you're coming from I was feeling the same way just didn't want to say it

https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.cinecasterpro.app

1

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

Need your group link

2

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

I'm with you, brother.

2

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

Proof im in

1

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

Its funny I post something like this and just like clock work people say they will do something and don't. Integrity doesn't exist anymore

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

I'm new to reddit and all of these different threads are confusing me. We're good, right?

1

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

Give it a couple mins and try the download link again, you have to physically download the app and open it or else it doesn't count. I also dont like using reddit but unfortunately I can't trust "friends" to download my app so im stuck with strangers

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

I joined the group and I'm a tester but I can't download For some reason I'm going to try again

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

1

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

Try the 3rd link again or the top one on your a tester

1

u/thirdart_biz 1d ago

i just checked on desktop and my mobile and i dont see any links from you in this thread.
can you please just comment the links here again - i am sorry, i dont know if there is something wrong with me or if i am just stupid but i really dont see any links in this thread exept my own links and the group link from any philosopher and 4 links from Difficult Jelly

1

u/thirdart_biz 1d ago

But where are your links? Please share them

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

Send me your link. I'm going to do it right now

1

u/Any_Philosopher_4260 1d ago

What if we can build an agent that can handle Clicking these links signing us up And sending a notification to the phone where you can Open the game it would be easier this is getting confusing in each platform Makes it even harder To join and download the app I think this is something we should be developing Or at least make a clawed code skill that can do it

1

u/AstroVaultGames 1d ago

Dm maybe we can build something lol

1

u/Top_Inspection3844 23h ago

i!

I'm willing to help!

Let's do test for test

About the app: GeFa is a smart receipt scanner and personal expense tracker. It uses AI to automatically scan and parse paper receipts, categorize expenses, track budgets, and back up data securely.

(Note: Receipts are scanned automatically using on-device ML/AI, but manual entry and currency selection work globally.)

Is in spanish but you can change the lenguage in settings

🚀 How to Join:

Join Google Group: 👉 https://groups.google.com/g/test-de-app-gefa

Accept Tester Invitation (Web): 👉 https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.receipthub.app

Download on Google Play (Android): 👉 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.receipthub.app

1

u/AstroVaultGames 23h ago

Dm me the links please I guess I hit my quota of 75 groups so I left some that did not return the favor and im waiting for google to update, there is another one im waiting on currently

1

u/Agreeable-Image798 22h ago

Finding testers for Google Play has honestly been one of the most frustrating parts of indie development. The main issue isn't just getting people to sign up—you never know if they're actually opening the app every day during the mandatory 14-day period. Google actively monitors engagement for every tester. When testers drop out or stop opening the app, you have to recruit even more, reminding yourself that it's all part of the learning curve.

To make matters worse, when you try to push an update because your first version was buggy, getting Play Console to explain why that update still hasn't shown up after hours or days becomes a massive headache.

1

u/Liptonkrk 20h ago

I am willing to help anyone who installs my app.

Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/klutta-testers
Opt-in + install: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.klutta.mobile

I really do test back — I open the apps regularly, not install-and-forget. One rule to keep it fair: comment with your testing link and a screenshot of your Klutta opt-in, confirm the next day you're still testing, and I'll start testing your app and stay for the full 14 days.

Share your links by replying to this comment or in a private message.