Google has done a good job of giving app publishers the tools that they need to make their apps the best they can be right in the Developer Console.
The benefits of beta testing are obvious, the ability to test new app updates to a very small percentage of your user base. If people like it, then you can roll out the change to everyone. If not, then you can figure out how to use that feedback to make your app better.
For new apps, you can get a good feel for what people will like, before you launch. Most importantly, you can identify bugs that might be dealbreakers for new users.
HOW ANDROID BETA TESTING WORKS
1. Open Beta
Anyone who has your link can be a beta tester. The biggest advantage of open beta testing is that you can create a large community of testers.
The disadvantage is that these testers cannot leave a review for your app. You can also limit the size of your group to keep things more manageable.
2. Closed Beta with Email
A more restricted option is to only make your beta group available to people who are invited via email. You can add emails manually, or upload a CSV file.
3. Closed Beta with Google+ Communities
Google Play beta testing can also be built around a Google+ community and is a great way to have a central place where you and your team can interact with your beta testers.
Simply go into your Developer Console and link your Google+ testing community to your account. Once you are done, you can send the link for the group to your testers.
The Testing Process
Testing your app is simple. First, upload your beta APK to the Developer Console.
Then notify your beta testers to give it a try. If it passes the testing phase, click on the Promote to Prod button and that version will be rolled out to all live users in a few hours.
For alpha testing, you would promote the version to beta, by clicking on the Move to the Beta button.
When uploading your APKs, remember that the most recent version of the app will deactivate previous testing versions and testing stages. Deactivated testing versions will not be available for testing. For example:
- If the production version has a higher version number than the alpha and beta apps, both testing apps will be deactivated.
- If the beta version of your app has a higher version number than your alpha version, the alpha version will be deactivated.
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