Oh man, Google app developers just can’t get a break. It’s not enough that there are a gazillion apps out there already and the competition is fierce for new apps, but now it just became even more difficult to launch a new app on Google Play. Google thought that the best way to help developers that create a new dev account on Google Play is to force them on having 20 testers test the app for 14 days prior to launch.

This means that your app won’t be published on Google Play  unless you get at least 20 testers that sign up via Google Play and test it for 14 days. This new requirement, outlined in Google Play’s updated guidelines (details here), significantly affects new developers because not everyone has a community already to ask 20 people to review their new app.

How the 20 testers policy impacts new accounts

For new developers, this 20-tester threshold introduces serious delays. Startups and solo developers without existing followers will struggle to recruit enough testers right away, potentially slowing their go-to-market timelines.

Since testing is a required step before full app publication, failing to meet the 20-tester minimum could push back launch plans. This is especially frustrating for developers eager to iterate quickly based on early user feedback. The delay not only impacts the app release but also adds pressure to secure a minimum pool of users willing to participate in pre-launch testing.

Any 20 testers Google Play Policy solutions?

For developers facing this hurdle, there are several ways to overcome this:

  • Engage with testing-exchange communities. Platforms like Reddit, Facebook, Linkedin and specialized Android forums already have groups of testing-exchanges. Basically you add your app to the group, and 20 testers sign up to test yours. Then in exchange you also test the apps that others have published there and so on. You have to work a bit too, but you also have a solution to your 20 testers requirement problem.
  • Offer incentives. If you already have a social media following or community, you can encourage users to test the new app by offering incentives, such as premium features for free or early access to new content, which can motivate users to join your testing phase.
  • Reach out to friends and family. Last but not least, engage with friends, colleagues, or even acquaintances to help you meet the 20 tester threshold.
  • Buy an older Google Play dev account? This could be a solution too, buying an older Google Play dev account, as the new 20 tester policy only affects accounts created after November 13, 2023. So any account older than that can publish apps without having 20 testers.

I was already approached on Linkedin if I’m not interested in selling my Google Play dev account to a game development company. They were willing to offer $500 to $1,000 for my Google Play account, which obviously I declined since I’m not sure how legal it is:

Some people are desperate because it’s already difficult to push your app to market, now you also need to find testers. Anyway, if you have any other solutions to the 20 testers new policy add a comment and help others.