Google Play closed testing service
ClosedTestLab
A WalkiLabs product that gets Android developers through Google Play's mandatory 14-day closed test with real, opted-in testers.
The challenge
What we walked into
Personal Play Console accounts created after November 2023 can't publish to production until 12 testers stay opted in to a closed test for 14 straight days. Solo developers rarely have 12 people they can count on, and a single tester dropping out resets the clock.
The approach
What we built
An in-house tester team
Built the service around a team that joins each closed test and uses the app on their own Android phones every day, so the tester count never depends on favors.
Daily opt-in tracking in one dashboard
Developers follow opted-in testers, days completed, and incoming bug reports and UX feedback from a single dashboard as the test runs.
Production access, handled
Each test ends with a testing summary and draft answers for Google's production access application, backed by a free retest or refund if Google rejects it.
The results
What changed
- 12+ opted-in testers kept active for all 14 days
- Real tester feedback surfaced before launch
- Free retest or refund if production access is rejected