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Alpha testing

In RuStore Console you can run a closed test of a new app version before publishing.

Alpha testing helps fix technical issues before they reach a large audience. As a result, the version that appears in RuStore will be more polished than the initial one.

Testing happens in two stages:

  1. Start testing in RuStore Console and add testers.
  2. Test by invited users in the RuStore app (storefront).

Features and limitations​

  • You can test applications in APK and AAB formats. Uploading AAB applications is supported.
  • Only one alpha version can be used for testing at a time.
  • Uploading a closed version is available for free applications on mobile devices. Before adding a file, make sure the application has no uploaded closed versions, or that they are in the Unpublished status.

File upload consists of two stages: first, the file is uploaded to RuStore servers, and then it is processed. During the upload stage, do not leave the page, otherwise the process may be interrupted. After the upload is complete, processing continues in the background, so at this stage you can save the draft and leave the page.

warning

Processed files are stored for 14 days. If you do not submit them for moderation within this period, they will be deleted.

Starting a test in RuStore Console​

Uploading a version for testing​

  1. Open RuStore Console.

  2. Go to Apps.

  3. Select the app whose version you want to test.

  4. Choose Testing.

  5. Open Alpha testing.

  6. Select Alpha versions.

  7. In the dialog that opens, click Upload version.

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  8. Review the version info — RuStore will prefill it from the currently published production version. Edit if needed.

  9. Click Submit for review.

  10. The Add testers window will open.

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    Do one of the following:

    • To add a tester now, click Add tester — the flow is the same as described in the next section.
    • To finish for now, click Close — you can add testers later in RuStore Console (see Adding testers below).

After moderation, the version is published in the RuStore app store.

A link to the test version will be generated automatically so you can share it with testers.

Adding testers​

  1. In the left panel of the RuStore Console, go to Testing > Alpha testing > Testers.
    The Console page will look like this:
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  1. Click Invite tester.
    A dialog will appear where you need to enter the tester’s VK ID(s).
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  1. Enter the VK ID of the user who will be a tester, or a comma-separated list of VK IDs.
  1. Click Invite.

To remove a tester:

  1. Find the user in the list.
  2. Click icon in their row.
  3. Click Remove.
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How to end testing:

  1. Open RuStore Console.
  2. Go to Apps.
  3. Select the app whose testing you want to end.
  4. Choose Testing.
  5. Open Alpha testing.
  6. Select Alpha versions.
  7. Click the three dots on the right.
  8. In the drop-down list, click End testing.

Testing apps on the RuStore storefront​

To test the app, the user added as a tester must be signed in to RuStore. In addition:

  • to work with the closed version in the RuStore app, the user must update the app to the latest version;
  • the user must be signed in to RuStore;
  • the user’s VK ID must match the VK ID that was added earlier as the tester identifier.

After signing in, the user can follow the link to the test app or find it in the app catalog.

Important

Alpha versions are available only in the mobile app catalog. They are not available in the web version of the catalog.

If the alpha version is the first published version of the app, opening the link in the web version will return a 404 error. We recommend opening the link directly on a mobile device. If the alpha version is not the first version, the web version will display the standard app card — that is, the latest published version, not the alpha version.

When testing ends, the build is archived and its status becomes Not published.

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