this post was submitted on 21 Feb 2024
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I'm attempting to publish a FOSS app (sevonj.github.io)
submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
29 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I made a simple timer app for Android, desktop, and browser. I think it's ready for most part, and I'm starting to look into publishing it.

I decided to start with Android / Play Store, which immediately gives me a roadblock. Google Play Console says:

  • Have at least 20 testers opted-in to your closed test (1 tester currently opted-in)
  • Run your closed test with at least 20 testers, for at least 14 days

I want to look into F-Droid and Flathub once I have this sorted out. But before that, any opinions on the app, or volunteers for testing, as I don't have 20 friends to ask?

Thanks.

https://github.com/sevonj/visualtimer/

Edit: Let's try Play store again with this: https://groups.google.com/g/jyl-test-group

Edit 2: It works, at least someone besides me was able to join:

What a pain. I'll look into preparing an F-droid release as soon as I have time.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I'd be happy to be a tester, but trying the link you provided gives me the following message:

App not available A testing version of this app hasn't been published yet or isn't available for this account.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

It's probably wrong region, not targeted on the track.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

What region? I'll try to add a bunch of countries to the test.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I'm in the US.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

US was enabled from the beginning so it wasn't that, then.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

do we need to have google play store and a google account to help you with testing?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago

The 20 testers is specifically a play store requirement, so it has to go through it.

There same build is on github too, it just doesn't count towards Google's requirement.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I literally just finished doing the same thing for my own foss app (and I also used Flutter). Right now I'm waiting for my production review. To get people added to your closed test, you have to either collect a list of email address, or create a google group they can join. If you use a google group, that will be a bit easier for testers to join since people can click the group link, and then the test link, instead of waiting for you to add their email.

If you can't initially get all the testers you need, I would recommend making a post on the AndroidClosedTesting reddit; I found them really helpful to get the last few testers I needed.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Thanks, this seems a much less painful solution.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Don't know about Google but you can set up your own F-Droid repository, and you can also prepare to try to get it to ship via the main F-Droid repository. And if you have releases on Github you can maybe ask to have it also included with IzzyDroid F-Droid repo https://android.izzysoft.de/intro.php

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Yeah, I think I won't wait for the Play release to happen anymore because Google experience has been nothing but a bunch of hoops they want me to jump through.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Happy to help with the play store test if you decide to try and get the 20 🫡

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Okay, I have a new link. Let's hope it works.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Joined group, still can't get in on the Play link but I've made a note to check back and see if it's updated tomorrow. What a faff!

Update: store link now works for group members.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Why don't you just publish it on F-Droid?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I will. I initially had trouble producing apks that my phone won't refuse to install, so I went for play in case that'd fix it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Hmm what Android version is your phone? I heard that on A13 and 14 there are some issues with installing APKs from external sources

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Older. Not sure if it was on me or on Google, but it works now.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

The one time i published on the play store I just skipped that part and hit publish. I think it took several days to go live the first time but otherwise didn’t seem to matter.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Was that a long ago? They seem to enforce it for me.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

About a year ago now, it is possible they’ve changed things since.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

Yeah I recently helped out with this mandatory testing thing for [email protected], seems it's a relatively recent new hoop for devs to jump through.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I tried to help and become a tester, but I'm getting an error. Do you need to specifically add my account to your list of testers so I can access it or something? If that's the case, I can PM you my account.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Thanks!

Do you need to specifically add my account

I'd hope not, but it's starting to look so. Man, I thought the link would do the job.

I can add you and anyone else who wants to, but I'm not sure if I can get all 20 people for this anymore.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Ok then, let me know if I can help.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

It's quite interesting to read about these hurdles, even though I'm not planning to publish anything in the foreseeable future. Always just on the downloading side. Thanks for posting. Hope you get it sorted out!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

A testing version of this app hasn't been published yet or isn't available for this account.

Region is Canada. I'd be happy to test your app for you. I have an older phone though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Happy to test and give feedback if you have an apk or can get it on f-droid.