“In Android, the Google Play services API layer facilitates the utilization of specific Google services, and this feature is present on all Android devices supported by Google. The introduction of ‘beta programs’ for ‘beta testing’ provides app developers with a standardized method to integrate Google services into their applications.
Participating in the beta program allows users to gain early access to new Google Play services, providing developers with the opportunity to test their apps on their own devices. This testing phase proves immensely beneficial, contributing to Google’s ability to enhance services and better cater to users globally.
It’s important to note that beta versions of Google Play may exhibit lower stability compared to subsequent versions released to the general population. This potential instability could lead to certain apps or features not functioning as expected, including device crashes that may hinder service usage.
The Google Play Store offers access to tens of thousands of apps, with stable versions being widely available. However, beta versions of apps, though accessible on the Google Play Store, represent more experimental iterations of already-released applications.
In the beta version of an application, users can explore new features that have not yet been made available to the public release. This allows users to experience and utilize advanced features and capabilities that are not yet accessible in the general public version, such as in the beta version of WhatsApp.”
How to fix ‘Beta Program is Currently Full’?
“Access to beta versions of apps is restricted, often limited to a specific number of users. Frequently, when attempting to sign up for a beta version, you may encounter a message stating, ‘Beta Program For This App Is Currently Full.’ This implies that you might need to wait until existing beta participants leave the program before securing access.
If you are determined to join the beta version of an app despite the ‘Beta Program is currently full’ error, the following guide will help you navigate around this limitation.”
Method 1: Join Beta Program from Browser
“When the Beta Program reaches full capacity, an alternative method is to join through the browser, a technique that occasionally proves successful in gaining entry even when the program is full.
Follow these steps:
- Open Chrome or your preferred browser and go to Google.com.
- Conduct a Google search for the App Name + Beta Program, such as ‘WhatsApp Beta Program.’
- From the search results, choose the Beta Program link leading to the Play Store.
- On the Beta Program page, click ‘Join Beta,’ even when the program is full, to potentially gain access.”
Method 2: Find Beta Apps on APKMirror
“APKMirror stands out as one of the largest and most well-known third-party app repositories, offering free downloads for a variety of applications. If you’re interested in finding Beta Apps through APKMirror, follow these steps:
- Open any browser and navigate to the APKMirror website.
- Search for the desired app, and APKMirror will display results with the most recent versions at the top.
- Select the app version from the list of search results that you wish to install.
- Choose your CPU architecture, and download the software accordingly. You can use CPU-Z to determine your device’s architecture.
- Download and install the Beta APK for the desired app. Ensure that Unknown App Resources are disabled to permit installations from third-party sources.”
Method 3: Join APKMirror RSS Feed for a particular app vendor
“APKMirror now offers RSS feeds to keep you informed about upcoming beta updates, enabling you to stay current even after the Beta Program is closed. To receive beta updates, simply add the RSS feed to an RSS feed reader.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Set up an RSS feed reader.
- Copy the APKMirror vendor link and append it with /feed at the end.
- Insert the modified URL into the RSS feed reader.
- By subscribing to the RSS feed, you’ll receive notifications when new beta updates become available.
- Even if the Beta Program is full, you can still access the latest beta of an app by clicking on the APKMirror update link and downloading it.
Note: While APKMirror is a secure third-party app repository, if you have security concerns, it is advisable to exercise caution and consider alternative sources.
How to join the beta program?
“Important Note: Ensure that the app you are interested in is already installed on your smartphone to receive its beta version.
Not all applications have a beta version available for download. To check if a specific app offers a beta version, open the ‘Google Play Store’ and search for the desired app, such as WhatsApp, Google, Facebook, or other social media platforms. Alternatively, navigate to the profile icon, select ‘Manage applications & devices,’ and then choose ‘Installed.’ Select the app and press Enter to view its details.
Scroll down to check for the availability of the “Join the beta” program. If present, select ‘Join’ to enroll in the beta program. If this option is not available, it indicates that the developer has not released a beta version of their application.
After joining, allow a few minutes for the app to update.
Please be aware that beta versions of applications may be less stable and could have potential issues.
How to leave the beta program?
“Being a beta tester can sometimes be a challenging experience as new updates may render certain features of the app non-functional, affecting the app’s intended functionality. For those facing this situation and wishing to return to the latest stable public version of the app, please follow the steps outlined below.
Note that after reinstalling the public version, your connected devices and app sources will remain linked, and your dashboard configuration will stay unchanged. If the app’s dashboard appears unfamiliar, consider force closing the app and restarting it.
If you exit the beta program and uninstall the app, be aware that any saved data and settings are likely to be deleted.
Follow these steps:
- Go to the ‘Google Play Store.’
- Search for the application from which you want to exit the beta program.
- Tap the app to view its details.
- Scroll down to the beta program section. Under “You’re a beta tester,” tap ‘Leave.’
Please note that if you opt out of the beta program, your spot may become available and may be assigned to someone else. There is no guarantee that you will be able to reclaim your beta program space later.
How to use the stable version?
“The stable version is occasionally known as the public version in certain contexts. To discover how to utilize the public version of an app after participating in a beta program, follow the steps provided below:
- Uninstall the application currently undergoing beta testing and ensure that you have opted out of the beta version.
- Reinstall the application from the Google Play Store to resolve the issue.
Why do you get the ‘Beta Program is Full’ error?
“Software in its beta version is undergoing testing and limited to a small number of individuals in a closely monitored environment. For example, we aim to have only 100 beta testers, meaning that only a hundred individuals will be granted access to download it. Any attempt to download as the 101st user will result in an error indicating that the beta has reached its limit.”
How does Android Beta Testing work?
“In the realm of beta testing, Google provides considerable flexibility. Your testing group can be organized in one of three ways.”
1. Open Beta
Anyone with access to your link can participate in the beta testing process. It is possible to build a huge testing community through open beta testing.
There is a downside to using these testers because they cannot leave a review. As an alternative, you may limit the size of your organisation 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
Alternatively, you can limit your beta group to those who have been invited by email. Email addresses can be manually entered or imported using a CSV file.
Google+ Communities is currently in closed beta.
If you’re looking for a central location where you and your team can engage with your beta testers, Google+ is a terrific option.
Connecting your Google+ testing community is as simple as going into your Developer Console and doing so. The link to the group can be sent to your testers once you’ve finished.
It’s not over yet, though. It is imperative that you keep your testers interested and provide them with useful input.
As soon as you lose the audience’s interest, you could lose them for good. Tips on how to manage and maximise your beta testers are included in this article.
4. Alpha Testing
Keep in mind that you can set up an alpha testing group as well. If you want to try out cutting-edge features on a small group before expanding to a larger audience, this feature may be right for you.
It functions just like a beta testing group in terms of functionality. An alpha group is essentially a testing group that you can release the most recent updates to. There’s no need to wait for beta testing if the upgrade passes alpha testing.
Simply put, testing your app doesn’t take long. To begin, go to the Developer Console and upload your beta APK.
Your beta testers will then be able to test it out for you. It will be rolled out to all live users in a few hours if it passes the testing phase if you click the Promote to Prod button.
You would click on the Move to Beta option to push the version to beta for alpha testing.
Keep in mind that the most recent version of your programme will deactivate prior testing versions and testing stages when publishing APKs to the Play Store. Testing on versions that have been deactivated is not possible. As an illustration:
Both the alpha and beta testing apps will be disabled if the production version has a higher version number than the alpha and beta testing versions.
The alpha version of your programme will be disabled if the beta version has a higher version number.
The Benefits of Beta Testing
Beta testing offers advantages to numerous departments, such as QC and marketing. In this analysis, we will explore the pros and cons of beta testing from different perspectives.
1. Engineering & QC
In this phase, meticulous attention is directed towards error detection and troubleshooting. The real-world exposure gained by deploying your app across diverse devices and locations unveils potential issues that may have been overlooked. Beyond optimizing app performance, beta testing serves as a valuable tool to assess the scalability of your infrastructure and backend.
2. Product Management
Beta testing offers a unique opportunity to engage with real users, providing insights into customer behavior. Analyzing in-app activities helps identify user challenges and areas where they may disengage. Complementing quantitative data, qualitative feedback from user interviews or surveys adds depth to the analysis.
Enhancing the onboarding experience becomes feasible through insights gained during beta testing. Testing documentation ensures comprehensive information is available, addressing any flaws or gaps to empower users with the knowledge they need.
3. Marketing
Beyond being a mere formality, beta testing plays a strategic role in enhancing your app’s marketing efforts. It serves as a prime opportunity for the marketing team to refine their messaging. Testing different channels helps identify the most effective ones, allowing businesses to tailor their message accordingly.
Beta tests also enable the collection of early feedback and testimonials from testers, potentially turning them into enthusiastic advocates for the software upon launch.
4. Customer Support
Beta testing is not only a technical endeavor but also a valuable resource for customer support. It provides support personnel with a chance to familiarize themselves with the intricacies of a new app or feature. By uncovering common issues and solutions during beta testing, the support team can proactively create FAQs and help articles, enabling users to find answers swiftly. This proactive approach reduces the workload for the customer support team post-launch, leading to enhanced service delivery.
