# Test your Android app before publishing to Google Play

The AppMachine platform allows you to test your app as you're building it with the previewer in the browser. We also have the AppMachine Previewer app available in the Google Play Store so that you can test what the app will look like on your device. If you'd like to test the app further  download an APK file and open that on your Android phone. 

### A. When you are ready to test your app: 

***Note: Before you start, make sure that you have uninstalled any earlier versions of this app***

1. Do a last **check** if the content of your app is correct.
2. Click the **Publish** button in the top right corner of the Publish dashboard.
3. This wizard will take you through the creation of your AAB and APK file. This takes between 1 and 3 hours. You can close the wizard during that time and come back later.\
   \
   In the publish dashboard you can click **View Publish progress** in the Google Play tile to open the wizard again.

   <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80114926121/original/_1TBCKa6L4h-InzdEnND4HUhHjuT87aZUQ.jpeg?1655762665" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. &#x20;After the publishing process is finished, you can **Download** the files from the Publish Dashboard.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80114926119/original/aBgtL2oYcAIdMFn9uXqSa9VqMg0fIEcmMA.png?1655762664" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
5. If you want to test your app on your own Android device, we advice you to click on the QR code icon<br>

   <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80114926238/original/PSBXI4HKSI4k3Nm2UbmzQWBGtA07LK0aBA.png?1655762835" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
6. So the QR code appears. **Scan** that code with the camera of your Android device.

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7. The steps on your phone might differ a little from the steps shown below because not all Android phones  work exactly the same.\
   \
   Your phone might show you a message like this. Choose **Download anyway**<br>

   <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80133565848/original/H6Gdob6ktpETmp01fpN6wx_NubSa8urBLw.png?1661341391" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
8. Your phone will ask you if you want to open the link in a webbrowser. Say **Yes** or **Open** \
   \
   The first time your Android device might ask you if you want to trust this developer. Say yes to allow that.

   <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80133570097/original/1XdWkVkyXtBCaYXQmc94mafxCmUBpcX4mg.png?1661341889" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
9. **Install** the app.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80133571171/original/QGwp9tJWtzX-8HGOnpyaOYT-D4oLF7-XpQ.png?1661342001" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
10. **Open** the app.<br>

    <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80133571337/original/zWqD1krYtEsqdzpE6ABPLL1QjaD9XbxzqA.png?1661342022" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
11. Check if your app works like expected.\
    if yes, go to paragraph B\
    if you want to change your app some more, check Paragraph C.\
    if you see a bug where the app is not showing in the right way, check paragraph D.<br>

**How to turn Google Play Protect on or off on your android devive**

Google Play Protect is on by default, but you can turn it off, so you don;t get the "Install anyway" question every time you download a new APK.&#x20;

\* Open the Google Play Store app Google Play.\
\* At the top right, tap the profile icon.\
\* Tap Play Protect and then Settings.\
\* Turn Scan apps with Play Protect on or off.

\
You do need to realise that this is also disabled now for all apps that you download.

### B. App looks good

1. If the app works like expected and you want to upload it to the Google play Store\
   You can Download the AAB file from the Publish Dashboard > Google Play > Download<br>

   <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80114926119/original/aBgtL2oYcAIdMFn9uXqSa9VqMg0fIEcmMA.png?1655762664" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. **Download the AAB file**\
   &#x20;

   <figure><img src="https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/euc-cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/80114926661/original/Es-XOTifTvoePPlW8r50SSHsKVH0WpHHyQ.png?1655763308" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. Upload the AAB file at Google for the first time   [Read more..](https://docs.appmachine.com/share-your-app/google-play/upload-your-android-app-to-google-play-store-for-the-first-time)\
   OR upload an update to Google [Read more...](https://docs.appmachine.com/share-your-app/google-play/update-an-android-app-to-the-google-play-store)

### C. App needs some more work

1. If you want to make some additional changes to the content or design of your app, make the changes in the **Content tab**
2. Make sure you **remove the previous version from your Android device**
3. Do a new Publish for the Google Play Store and download the APK file again with the camera from your android device

### D. You experienced an issue

1. If your app shows wrong information or a bug, contact <support@appmachine.com> and mention the app owners email adres, the app number ( shown in the header of the Publish screen), mention what looks off and include screenshots of the issue.