Make the app available to a select group of users on Google Play

Question

I’m going to publish an app on Google Play. However, it won’t be a publicly available app — only our customers will be able to see it. Is there any way to publish it other than using internal testing or closed testing?

Is there a Google Play alternative platform where only customers can download the app?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Ayca A. There are several app store alternatives to Google Play or manufacturer store, but none that I am aware of which let you limit download to specific users.
In such cases, the app is usually available for anyone to download, but requires a customer login as soon as it is started to do anything.

If you want to limit actual app download availability, you would need to host the APK file on your website where it is only visible after your customers have logged in.

You would need to include directions for them to go into "install unknown apps" in phone settings.

Either phone settings -> apps -> triple dots in upper right -> special access -> install unknown apps.
Or phone settings -> security and privacy -> install unknown apps (at very bottom).

It will list apps already installed. The customer would need to flip the toggle for their browser.
And advise customers to turn it off again after installing your app.
You would need to trigger updates within the app if needed or prompt users to reinstall.