Google requires a dozen or so beta testers before you are allowed to launch an app on the Play store publicly. Given that this community lives on Lemmy, and it’s full of Android users, I was hoping I could recruit a few people.

My app, “Blorp”, is already listed on the official Lemmy website for iOS, but Android has been delayed due to this requirement.

Would greatly appreciate your help, and if it turns out you like my app, I’m happy to make changes based on your feedback.

For closed testing, Google requires you join a linked Google Group before downing the app.

Step 1: Join the testing group

🔗 https://groups.google.com/g/blorp-android-app-testers

Step 2: Download the app

📱 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xyz.blorpblorp.app

Thanks in advance!

Edit: there’s also a Lemmy community if you want to stay up to date or ask questions [email protected]

  • moseschrute@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Not yet, but you’re not the first person to ask. I’m also not a fan of the Google Group thing. Unfortunately Google requires I conduct a few weeks of closed testing before I get access to the play store. The only way to run closed tests it to add people by email or via Google Group. Once access is unlocked, then you can install via Play Store like normal.

    I’m still operating under the assumption that more Android Lemmy users install via Play Store than other Android stores, but I could totally be wrong. I imagine it skews by community, For example, I’m sure if you ask one of the privacy communities they would tend to avoid mainstream stores.

    It would be interesting to pick a more general purpose community (maybe ask lemmy community) and ask people what platforms they use. I also imagine some of the other apps like Voyager may have a better idea since they have a substantial amount of users across multiple platforms.

    But I guess my TL;DR is what you’re saying makes sense, but it’s always better to conduct some research than assume you understand how someone uses your app. Genuinely I would be curious what a larger pull of Lemmy users would reveal.

    • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      but it’s always better to conduct some research than assume you understand how someone uses your app

      You can create a community here to conduct research, as aeharding (Voyager) has done.

      • moseschrute@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
        3·
        1 day ago

        Ok, I ran a very not scientific poll. Of 55 Android users, 33 said they use F-Droid to get their Lemmy app of choice, and 22 said they use Google Play.

        I would still say Google Play is significant enough that I want to distribute there, but I’m genuinely surprised F-Droid is so popular here. I stand corrected, and there’s a good chance you’re right that F-Droid is more popular here than Google Play.

        I’m going to keep an eye on the poll as more votes roll in, but it seems to be moving at a fairly consistent ratio of 3:2 F-Droid to Play Store.