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How to install a shared app?

This is a tutorial on how to install an app from Google Play which has been shared for internal testing.

What does "internal app sharing" mean?

This means the app is not yet published in the Play Store. This feature is mainly used by developers to quickly share their newest version with some testers (usually by sending out a link). In order to be able to install these internally shared apps you will have to allow this on your device. It's nothing to be afraid of and very easy to accomplish. Also you will have to do this only once. Just follow this guide.

Follow the link

Okay let's open the Play Store link on the builds page.

If you have a previous version of the app installed then please uninstall it before installing the new version.

Hint: If you have access to WiFi you should use it to save your mobile data for more important things.

Install an internally shared google play android app

Allow Internal App Sharing

If app sharing is disabled then your device will show this warning. Tab on the "Settings" link in the text. If that does not take you to the Google Play settings then open the play store and access the settings from there.

Install an internally shared google play android app Install an internally shared google play android app

Become a developer

Scroll down to "Play Store version". and tap it 10 times (until the countdown reaches 0). Congratulations you now have access to the developer settings on your phone. This is nothing to be afraid of. It simply shows you more options in the settings.

Install an internally shared google play android app Install an internally shared google play android app

Turn on "Internal app sharing"

Now you can see the previously hidden "Internal app sharing" option. Turn it on.

Install an internally shared google play android app Install an internally shared google play android app Install an internally shared google play android app

Open the shared link again

Return to the Play Store. If the install page is not shown then just follow the link on the builds page again.

Install an internally shared google play android app

Install

Now you can hit that "install" button. Hit it again in the dialog that follows.

Install an internally shared google play android app Install an internally shared google play android app Install an internally shared google play android app

Open the app

Now you can finally open the app.

Install an internally shared google play android app