Short definitions based on the Play Console Help. Store rules change, so check the current Help page before relying on any limit or requirement.
- Track: a release channel in Play Console that you upload a build to, such as internal, closed, open or production.
- Internal testing: a small, quick track for your own team to check builds early (Google lists up to 100 testers).
- Closed testing: a track limited to testers you invite, through email lists or Google groups.
- Open testing: a track anyone with the listing or test link can join.
- Production: the track real users get.
- Tester list: the invited people, kept as an email list or a Google group.
- Opt-in link: the link an invited tester opens to join the test and then install the app from the store.
- Production access: the step that lets you publish to production; for personal accounts created after 13 November 2023 it depends on a closed test: at least 12 testers opted in continuously for at least 14 days, per Google's testing requirements page.
- Release notes: the text testers see for a build.
Example: you upload build 12 to a closed track, add testers through a Google group, send the opt-in link, and testers install it from the store.
Related
- Google Play closed test requirements
- The closed test opt-in link
- Back to the app testing glossary; see also TestFlight terms and QA and bug terms.
Need testers for a closed test? See how AppReviewX works.