In our app we updated the database from one version to another. Now for testing I want to jump between older versions that were officially released at some point in time.
In the Android developer console we can find the previous releases under
Production / Tab "Releases" / Section "Release history" / Dropdown "Show"
and a direct installation link for internal testers under
Blue rightarrow "Details" of the version to install / Section "App Bundles" / Blue rightarrow "Details" of the desired APK / Tab "Downloads" / Link "Copy Sharable link"
The link looks like this:
https://play.google.com/apps/test/<name.of.my.app>/<release versionCode number>
Now if I open this link on my target device (where "Internal app sharing" is activated in the settings) one of two things can happen:
a) everything works fine: Google offers me to install the old app version with the hint
This version of this app (<versionCode number>) may be old. Turn off auto-update for this app to keep it from getting updated.
b) I get the following notification:
You're an internal tester. This app may be unsecure or unstable.
In this case, the most recent version available to internal testers (typically the future version) is installed.
- I have several different Google accounts for alpha testers, and all of them are listed in the same group (Email list) under Testing / Internal testing / Testers
- All accounts are in "developer mode" in the Play store and have "Internal app sharing" active in the Play store settings
- I typically uninstall old app versions before clicking on the APK link which I sent to my tester accounts via Email
- I have several phones with various Android versions, screen sizes etc. I could not recognize a deterministic pattern for ending up in situation "b)"
How can I install the older versions when the second situation "b)" appears?