How can I test an older version of my app in Google Play Store?

Question

I'm using Google Play Store to distribute an app.

For a certain issue, I would like to install an OLDER version of my app to one of the client's device.

I'm struggling to do so, is there any way to do that?

No matter how and which "testing" method I apply, Google Play automatically shows the HIGHEST version of the app which is the "release" version ignoring the old test versions.

Creating an APK would be NO way because I need Google Play's own signature in the apk to make things work (to test the things we would like to)

Is there any way at all to distribute my OLDER app version from Google Play store?

(By the way Google's testing methods are inexpressibly unusable even apart from this problem. You never see what really happens, you cannot really manage the testing channels the GUI is miserable the notification email is late the testing is slow and painful you don't see the version number in the Google Play Store, there are like 3 methods to do so and the difference between them is not self explaining, I give 1 start to the developers who made these parts of Google Play I hope they read this.)

Thanks in advance.

Duodecillion

when you go to testing, "Open Testing" for example, under App bundles you have the option "Add from library" gives you all version of the app. Did you try this? – Ergocalciferol

The problem is the testers only see the highest version of the app, no matter what. @Yugerten – Duodecillion

Maybe try to contact Support team. – Ergocalciferol

Answer 1

1. From Google Play Console go to App bundle explorer
2. Then choose the version you want to install
3. Go to Downloads tab
4. click on Copy sharable link
5. install it from you device using this link

Note: the device's Google Play account should be an internal tester and enable internal testing from Google Play on this device.

Pagan

Theres a way to do the same but on the google play store? – Barsky

@DavidDonayo unfortunately no. – Pagan

When i navigate this "Copy sharable link", i get "Item not found" error in google play – Eve

you have to first accept Terms and allow file download for the testers. After that, that download link will work – Schizothymia

Unfortunately, the download link does not work on Wear OS devices, this can be used only for Phone Apps – Schizothymia