Understand the closed testing requirement that requires personal developer accounts to run a 14‑day test with at least 12 opted‑in testers before prod
The 12 Testers requirement applies to new personal (individual) Google Play developer accounts created after November 13, 2023. Before you can publish to production, Google expects a closed test with at least 12 testers who are opted in for a minimum of 14 consecutive days. This helps catch stability, policy, and UX issues early.
Who this applies to
- Personal (individual) developer accounts created after Nov 13, 2023.
- Organization accounts and old accounts created before that date are generally exempt.
How to set up a compliant closed test
- Create a Closed Test track in Google Play Console.
- Invite 12+ unique testers via email or a shareable opt‑in link.
- Ensure testers stay opted in and keep the app installed for 14 consecutive days.
- Collect crash reports, feedback, and make improvements before requesting production access.
Practical tips to recruit testers
- Invite colleagues, friends, and family - ask them to stay opted in for the full 14 days.
- Use developer communities (Reddit, Discord, Telegram) to find volunteers.
- Offer simple incentives (gift cards, early-access features) and clear test instructions.
- Use a single-purpose feedback form (Google Forms) to collect test results and steps to reproduce.
Common pitfalls
- Using testers that reuse the same Google account across devices (each tester should be a unique Google account).
- Testers uninstalling the app before 14 days - that can invalidate the test window.
- Assuming opt-in is automatic - testers must explicitly accept the testing invite/link.
