Try new Android apps before their official release

To get user feedback, some developers make new apps or features available before their official release. You can try these apps or features when you join early access or beta programs.

Early access and beta apps

Early access apps are apps that haven’t been released yet. Beta apps are newer and more experimental versions of apps that are already released. Early access and beta apps may be less stable than most apps. For example, the app might crash or some features might not work properly.

Some apps limit how many users can join early access and beta programs. If it’s full, space may open later if current testers leave or if the developer lets more users join.

Get early access to unreleased apps

1. Open the Play Store .
2. Go to the 'For you' tab.
3. Under 'Apps in development', tap the game that you want to try.
4. Tap Install.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Tip: If you install an unreleased app, you may be automatically enrolled in the beta program when that app launches.

Get early access to unreleased games

1. Open the Play Store .
2. Go to the 'New' tab.
3. Under 'Be the first to play', tap the game that you want to try.
4. Tap Install.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Get beta versions of apps

Important: To get the beta version of an app, the app must already be installed on your device.

1. Open the Play Store .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Manage apps and devices Installed.
4. Tap an app to open its details page.
5. Under 'Join the beta', tap Join Join.

Tip: If you can’t find 'Join the beta', this means that the developer doesn’t offer public betas for the app at this time.

Leave a beta program

Important: When you leave and uninstall a beta app, you may lose your progress and any customisations that you have made to the app.

1. Open the Play Store .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Manage apps and devices Beta.
4. Find the app that you want to leave.
5. Tap the app to open its details page.
6. Under 'You’re a beta tester', tap Leave Leave.

Tip: If you leave an early access or beta program, your space opens up and someone else may take it. You’re not guaranteed to get your space back in the beta program later.

Use the app’s public version

To continue to use the app after you leave the beta program:

1. Uninstall the app. Learn how to uninstall apps.
2. Reinstall the public version of the app. Learn how to reinstall apps.

Provide feedback to the developer

1. Open the Play Store .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Manage apps and devices Beta.
4. Find the app for which you want to provide feedback.
5. Tap the app to open its details page.
6. Under 'Private feedback to developer', tap Write feedback.
7. Tap the stars to rate the app and use the box to describe your experience for the developer.
   • To submit feedback, both a rating and a written response are required.
8. Tap Post.

Tip: When you review early access and beta apps, only the developer can view your feedback.

Data shared with the developer

Certain data on your use of the app (such as device information, app usage information and user-triggered events) will be collected and shared with the developer to help improve their app.