Google is adding two new beta testing methods for developers

Beta testing applications is a wonderful thing for developers on Android. It gives app makers an easy way to test out new features in the app before the update rolls out to everyone, and can also help prevent some major bugs. Previously, if you wanted to become a beta tester for an app on Google Play, you’d need to either join a Google+ Community or a Google Group, but that requirement is changing today.

Google has just added two new beta testing options for developers in hopes to bring more users on board. Both new options do away with the Google+ Community/Google Group requirement, which will hopefully make it easier for people to sign up. Here are the two new options:

• The new open beta route will allow you to share a link with users that will take them right to the beta version of the app in just one click. This new method is meant for large-scale beta testing, but you can still limit the maximum number of users who can join, if you’d like.
• If you’d like to more easily control the number of users who can access your beta, you can use the “closed beta using email addresses” route. For this method, you’ll need to invite users with their email addresses by adding them individually or by uploading a .csv file. This method won’t require you to put a G+ Community signup in place, either, but also won’t work well for large beta testing groups.

The current closed beta testing method isn’t going anywhere, so you’ll still be able to invite users to join Google+ Communities and Google Groups in order to download the new version of your app. For more information on these new testing methods, head to the source link below.