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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 APK and AAB apps. Uploading AAB apps is now supported.
  • You can upload an alpha version only if there is at least one production version published to all users. You can have only one active alpha version for testing at a time.
  • Uploading a closed version is available for free apps on mobile devices. Before uploading the file, make sure the app has no other closed versions uploaded, or that they are in Not published status.

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.

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

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