SupaPass

If you're looking to explore your app before it's officially released, Android preview builds can provide you with an opportunity to do just that. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of using preview builds to get early access to an app.

A preview build is a version of your app that can be installed directly onto your phone. Android preview builds can only be installed on Android devices, if you have an iOS device then you can create a preview build using <a href="https://help.supapass.com/en/articles/8349215-preview-your-ios-app-with-testflight">TestFlight</a>.

Click the 'Build Preview App' button.

1. In App Setup, click 'Build app'.
2. Select 'Android'.
3. Select 'No, preview only'.
4. Click the 'Build Preview App' button.

Once the preview build is ready to download, head to the Status tab to download the preview build to your phone.

Click the Download Preview button, a QR code will display on the screen. Scan the QR code with your phone and tap the link that appears on screen. ​

If you have never installed an app using Chrome before, a warning will display. Tap 'Download anyway'. Once the file has downloaded, tap 'Open'. ​

You'll see another warning stating that your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps. Tap 'Settings'. On the Install unknown apps page, toggle allow from this source to on. ​

Open Chrome on your device, tap the 3 dots in the top right, then tap 'Downloads'.

In the downloads folder, tap the file at the top that you have just downloaded. When prompted, tap 'Install'.

You should see another warning 'Unsafe app blocked', tap 'More details' and then 'Install anyway'. ​

Once the app has installed, tap 'Open' to launch the preview app.

1. Click the Download Preview button, a QR code will display on the screen. Scan the QR code with your phone and tap the link that appears on screen. ​

2. If you have never installed an app using Chrome before, a warning will display. Tap 'Download anyway'. Once the file has downloaded, tap 'Open'. ​
 

3. You'll see another warning stating that your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps. Tap 'Settings'. On the Install unknown apps page, toggle allow from this source to on. ​
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4. Open Chrome on your device, tap the 3 dots in the top right, then tap 'Downloads'.
5. In the downloads folder, tap the file at the top that you have just downloaded. When prompted, tap 'Install'. 
6. You should see another warning 'Unsafe app blocked', tap 'More details' and then 'Install anyway'. ​
 
 
7. Once the app has installed, tap 'Open' to launch the preview app.

Some features may not be available in the preview build, for example you cannot test payments using a preview build.

Preview builds offer you and your team a unique opportunity to explore an app before it's officially released to the public. By following the steps outlined above, you can access and test the app before you launch or to check on new features we've released.

Once you've finished testing, <a href="https://help.supapass.com/en/articles/8879967-submitting-your-android-app">submit a release build to the store</a>.

Preview your Android app before release

What is a preview build?

Creating a preview build

Downloading a preview build

Explore the app