Frequently asked questions

Q: What are plain eggs and golden eggs?

Plain eggs are earned for daily check-ins and measure activeness. Golden eggs are earned for helpful feedback and measure helpfulness. You can sort FlyMates by either to find the best testing partners.

Q: Is TestFlock free?

Yes, TestFlock is free for all developers. Coming soon to Google Play.

Q: What is the difference between a flock and a FlyMate?

A flock is a 16-member group where everyone tests all apps. A FlyMate is a 1:1 testing partnership for dedicated reciprocal testing outside or in addition to your flock.

Q: How do I set up closed testing in Play Console?

Add testflock@googlegroups.com to your closed testing track testers, enable all countries, submit for review, and copy the opt-in link. See our Play Store setup guide for step-by-step instructions with screenshots.

Answers about TestFlock, Google Play closed testing, and matching with fellow developers for closed testing.

What is Google Play's 12 testers for 14 days requirement?

Personal developer accounts on Google Play must have at least 12 testers opted into closed testing who actively use the app for 14 consecutive days before you can apply for production access. Read our full guide.

How does TestFlock help me find testing partners?

TestFlock organizes indie developers into 16-member flocks where everyone tests everyone else's app daily. You get up to 15 fellow developers with verified check-ins — more than Google's minimum of 12. You can also find FlyMates for 1:1 partnerships.

What are plain eggs and golden eggs?

Plain eggs are earned for daily check-ins and measure activeness. Golden eggs are earned when feedback is rated helpful (+1) or very helpful (+2) and measure helpfulness. Sort FlyMates by "Most active" or "Most helpful" to find the right testing partners.

Is TestFlock free?

Yes. TestFlock is free for all developers. Coming soon to Google Play.

What is the difference between a flock and a FlyMate?

A flock is a group of up to 16 developers testing all apps in the group. A FlyMate is a 1:1 testing partnership between two developers. Use flocks for bulk reciprocal testing and FlyMates for dedicated partnerships or backup developers.

How do I set up closed testing in Play Console?

Add testflock@googlegroups.com to your closed testing testers, enable all countries, submit for review, and copy the opt-in link. Follow our step-by-step Play Store setup guide with screenshots.

How does TestFlock verify daily check-ins?

With your permission, TestFlock uses Android usage access to confirm you opened a test app for at least 30 seconds. This creates accountability without manual screenshots or honor-system reporting.

How long is a testing period?

Flock and FlyMate testing runs are 16 days — covering Google's 14-day requirement with a buffer. You pledge to check in daily for the full period when joining.

TestFlock vs Testers Community — which should I use?

Both are Android beta testing communities with 16-member groups (TestFlock flocks, Testers Community packs of wolves). TestFlock uses Android usage stats to automatically verify installs and 30-second usage, records per-tester usage time, keeps apps in the flock through short inactive periods, and offers 1:1 FlyMates as backup. Read our detailed comparison.

What if a flock mate stops checking in?

The flock progress matrix shows missed days in red. You can find backup developers via FlyMates, filtering by plain egg count to find highly active replacements. Joining a full flock from the start reduces drop-off risk.

Do I need to join the Google Group?

Yes. Join testflock@googlegroups.com with the same Google account you use in TestFlock. This group must also be added to your Play Console closed testing track so flock members can opt in.

How do I contact support?

Email support@jointestflock.com or visit our support page.