Cannot remove "Internal test track" build from Google Play Console

Question

I've been developing my first app for work and am having trouble removing an earlier version from the Google Play Console.

My first release was version 2, which I released on the Internal Test track, as much as an experiment to understand the working of things. I have subsequently release the app up to version 8, always targeting Alpha/Closed Track and had no problems with them.

However my first release, the one in Internal test track, simply refuses to go away. All the others I have found I can click MANAGE then RELEASE TO BETA then DISCARD (at the bottom) and they go away, but not this one.

Can anyone help me with this please. I have to say that the websites for releasing to both Android and to Apple do leave much to be desired - a bit of a baptism of fire to get your first app out there, even just to testers.

Answer 1

可以通过创建一个没有捆绑包或 APK 的新版本、插入版本名称（这是必需的）并完成该过程来丢弃版本。

Answer 2

We found that while there is no remove, we had to add an empty version which replaced the test version. This was a huge problem for us as the test version was in violation of permissions rules and our production code was not, but the production app was pulled from the Play store... Yikes. Adding a remove or delete would be soooo much more intuitive.

Answer 3

I would upload your next alpha to the internal test track and promote it to the alpha/closed track. You will still have a build in the internal test track, but at least it is a relevant build.

Answer 4

Go to manage internal test

Manage testers

Remove all testers

This is the safest way

Answer 5

Haven't found how to delete a build - as been said, we just upload a newer version of the app with higher build number into the Internal track and propagate it through Alpha to Production. So just overwrite the unwanted build.

Answer 6

End a test To remove users from your app's test:

Sign in to your Play Console. Select an app. On the left menu, select Release management > App releases. Next to the test that you want to end, select Manage. Expand the "Manage testers" card. After ending a test, testers won't receive updates but the app will remain installed on their device. To remove a closed test track that you created, select Deactivate track. You can access deactivated tracks on the App releases page in the "Closed tracks" section.
To end an open, closed alpha, or internal test, select Remove testers.

Answer 7

您可以在暂停后将它们标记为非活动状态。

Answer 8

1. Sign in Play Console
2. Choose your app
3. Click Release Overview (Left pane)
4. Select the release version that you want to stop
5. View track
6. Pause track (Right upper hand corner)

Answer 9

I believe that what most are saying is that Google needs better way to disable or continue testing an obsolete or bad build when the developer knows it's a waste of time. It seems that there are ways we can force it, but it's not the ideal way. I agree. I don't want people to waste their time or bad-mouth my app because of unclear definitions on our side. We are in the 21st century, but everyone makes mistakes. If Google path is ideal, then make the documentation reflect that.

Answer 10

Tried and worked.

Unfortunately, there is no straightforward way to delete or make a version inactive. The simplest thing you can do is as follows:

1. If not done already, create a version of your apk/aab you want to really release and upload it.
2. Go to test tracks where old versions are used. Create a new release in that test track.
3. Instead of uploading a new apk/aab, just pick the latest one from the 'Add from library' option.
4. Roll out the test track release.

It will simply mark old versions (which were used in test tracks) as inactive and only the latest one you uploaded will remain active. You can verify it on the 'App bundle explorer' page.

Now you can submit the app for approval.

Answer 11

You don't need to discard it. Testers will always get the highest version code they are eligible for.