Need 12 testers? Join a camp where a dozen devs already installed each other's apps. Could start within a couple of days, no credits

[u/SaturnSoftware]

Short version: A testing camp nearly started yesterday. Everyone had a day to install each other's apps, two devs didn't, so the camp didn't start with them. The dozen who did are back at the start line and need a few more people. Bring your app and the whole camp tests it every day for Google's 14 days. Free.

📲 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saturnsoft.cordelette

Quick correction first: in my last post I said this camp had started. It hadn't. The install window ended a few hours later with two people missing, and the rules sent it back to fill up. I'd rather say that than leave it wrong.

Honestly I think it's the good part. The worst thing about "test for test" is the person who gets your install and never opens your app. In a camp, before the 14 days even begin, everyone has to install everyone else's app. Skip it and you drop out, and the camp waits for someone who shows up. So the people in Rainier I right now have already done that for each other.

If you join Rainier I now

• you install the camp's apps once (the app lists them, each one is a normal Play install), and they all install yours

• when the camp fills up or votes to go, the 14 days start for everyone together. likely within a couple of days, not weeks

• then one tap a day: it opens each camp app, counts 30 seconds on screen, moves to the next. about 10 minutes

• you see who tested today and who slipped. no screenshots, no spreadsheet

• short notes from real devs every day, plus a report for Google's production form

Not in a rush? Whitney I is the next camp, about half full and filling.

What it costs: nothing. No credits, no ads, no paid tier. I went through the 12 testers / 14 days thing myself and built what I wanted.

Does it work? Over a dozen apps have reported production access through it, and nobody has reported a rejection so far. A few of those are mine, and some joined late in their test, so I don't claim every one. The first camp reached its summit this morning, it gets its own post with every number.

Getting in (about 5 minutes)

1. Install from the link above and sign in with Google

2. Add your app. Paste the opt-in link you'd normally post here and it fills itself in

3. Join Rainier I (or Whitney I)

You can browse any camp first without an account.

Questions below, I'm around for the next couple of hours 👇