Enhancements for Beta Testing Apps in Seller Portal

Samsung Developer

Beta testing an app allows you to find and fix issues before publishing in Galaxy Store and provides a better user experience by incorporating feedback from your testers.

The Galaxy Store Seller Portal team is excited to announce enhancements to beta testing. We’ve listened to you and have implemented your comments and suggestions to improve beta testing functionality!

Beta test any app at any time

If your app is already published in Galaxy Store, you can now beta test your app while it is being registered or under review. This allows you to test your app or updates to your app at any time.

When updating a binary, you must use the same package name and make sure the beta version number is higher than the version number of your existing app. If the beta version number is the same or lower than the version number of your existing app and your beta tester has your existing app installed on their device, this beta tester cannot install the beta version. Likewise, when you publish your updated app (the version that will be published in Galaxy Store after your beta testing is completed), make sure this version number is higher than the beta version number. Otherwise, your beta testers are not able to update their beta version to the updated app. That is, when you assign a version number to your beta app and your updated app, the beta version number must be greater than the existing app's version number and the updated app's version number must be greater than the beta version number:
(existing app version number) < (beta version number) < (updated app version number).

Run open and closed beta tests simultaneously

An open beta test allows anyone to download your app using the specified link. A closed beta test allows only the testers you specify (identified by their Samsung account) to download your app using the specified link. Previously, only one type of test could be run at a time. Now, you can run both an open and a closed beta test at the same time.

Add a beta test app

To test an app, add a beta test instance in Seller Portal.

  1. In Seller Portal, select the app for which you want to run a beta test. Complete the required information in the App Information and Binary tabs and click Add Beta Test.

  2. Select the type of beta test to run, click Add, and confirm that you want to add a beta test app.

  3. Your beta test app is added to the list of apps and the Application Title displays the type of beta test app being registered. Note the status of the beta test app is Beta Registering. Click on the status of the beta test app to open it in Seller Portal.

  4. Update any of the information for the beta test app in the tabbed areas (for example, add the binary to be tested). For a closed beta test, you must add Tester Settings (the Samsung account IDs of your testers) and Feedback Channel (an address where you receive feedback), located in the Binary tab. Note that the beta testing URL (the link you share with your testers) is located in the Binary tab.

    After you have entered the required information, click Submit Beta Test (if required information is missing, the button is grey).

  5. In the list of apps, when the beta test app status shows Beta Deployed, your app is ready to be tested!

What’s next?

These are just a couple of new features we’ve implemented based on suggestions we received and more updates are planned. Look for additional announcements about enhancements to beta testing in the near future.

Refer to the App Registration Beta Test Guide in Seller Portal for more information about beta testing.

Additional resources on the Samsung Developers site

This site has many resources for developers looking to build for and integrate with Samsung devices and services. Stay in touch with the latest news by creating a free account or by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. Visit the Marketing Resources page for information on promoting and distributing your apps. Finally, our developer forum is an excellent way to stay up-to-date on all things related to the Galaxy ecosystem.