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androidgoogle-playandroid-testing

How to test app update on Google Play?

Let's say I have the app in Google Play Store with version 1.0.

In the new version (1.1) I would like to upgrade the database with new columns.

Database upgrading is a common crash in my application because users in previous version (1.0) doesn't have the new columns in the database.

I have tried to use the Google Play Store's beta testing feature, but the problem is there is no effective way (or at least I haven't found one yet) to do the following:

Install a the current stable version (1.0) to the tester's device, then update the application to (1.1) - let's say we got an error during the playtest of the new updated version (1.1), I repair it (1.2) and I would like to repeat the procedure, I would like to install the 1.0 stable app to the tester's device and yet again I would like to update the app to 1.2 (with the resolved error)

The only way (as far as I concern) is to remove the beta tester from the beta testing list (could take hours to refresh in Google Play systems), re-download the 1.0 application, re-add the tester to the beta testing list, (again waiting hours) and download the new 1.2 application.

Is there a more sophisticated way to test app version updates?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT:

It would be nice if I could do this with other people testing my app. So the less programing and command prompt usage needed the solution is the better.

Solution

  • I use Beta for painless beta distributions for iOS and Android apps.

    From: Overview

    You want feedback early and often throughout your development lifecycle. With Beta, you can easily send beta builds to your users. You’ll automatically get usage stats and stability metrics for all your builds, so you know when you’re ready to ship.

    I find it very useful and use beta in conjunction with crashlytics for crash reporting. Below are the advantages:

    • You can automate the build with Android Automation for Continuous Delivery and has support for beta via gradle.
    • Build is available instantly to all the testers.
    • All builds are archived and can is available at anytime.
    • Dynamically add QA engineers, track progress, add QA engineers dynamically by creating and sharing the build.
    • Access to all build release notes with build(apk) and build version.
    • Further more if the build is approved by QA engineers, one can directly upload the same apk to playstore with fastlane from gradle itself.