Changes

The project is now ready for the first phase of testing. This involves generating a release app bundle and uploading it to the Google Play Console. The steps to achieve this were outlined in the chapter entitled ''“Creating, Testing and Uploading an Android App Bundle”'' but can be summarized as follows:

# Log into the Google Play Console and create a new application.

# Work through the steps to configure the app in terms of title, descriptions, categorization and image assets (sample image assets can be found in the ''image_assets'' folder of the sample code download that accompanies this book) and save the draft settings.

# Use the Android Studio ''Build -> Generate Signed App Bundle / APK...'' menu to generate a signed ''release'' app bundle.

# In the Google Play Console, select the ''App Releases'' option from the left hand navigation panel, locate the ''Internal test track'' section in the resulting screen and click on the ''Manage'' button.

# On the ''Internal test'' screen, click on the ''Create Release ''button and click ''Continue'' to accept the option to let Google manage key signing tasks. Drag and drop the app bundle file generated above onto the “Android App Bundles and APKs to add” box and click ''Save''.

# Complete the final configuration steps including the ''Content Rating'' and ''Pricing & Distribution'' screens.

# Navigate within the console to the ''App Releases'' page and click on the ''Manage'' button located in the ''Internal Test track'' section.

# On the ''Manage testers'' section add the email addresses of accounts that will be used to test the app on one or more physical devices.

# Return to the Internal test screen and click on the ''Edit Release'' button. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the ''Review'' button.

# On the confirmation screen, click on the ''Start Rollout to Internal Test'' button. The app will be listed as ''Pending publication''. Once it has been approved by Google (a process that can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours), the app is ready for testing.

Once the release has been rolled out for testing and been approved, notifications will be sent out to all users on the internal testing track asking them to opt in to the test track for the app. Alternatively, copy the Opt-in URL listed on the ''Manage testers'' screen and send it to the test users. Once the users have opted in, a link will be provided which, when opened on a device, will launch the Play Store app and open the download page for the DynamicFeature app as shown in Figure 86-8: