Shipaton 2025 - Day 18 - Internal Testing Release

What I Built Today

Today was about getting a real, signed build onto real devices safely.

✔️ Prepared the first signed release build.
✔️ Set up Google Play Console → Internal Testing with clear release notes.
✔️ Invited a small tester group.

🎯 Result: the app is now installable via Internal Testing, so I can start collecting real-world feedback before the public release.

Why Internal Testing Matters

Your first signed build is more than a checkbox - it’s the moment the app leaves theory and meets reality.

✅ Real signals, low risk. Internal tracks let you ship fast to trusted testers without exposing rough edges to the public.
✅ Production-like behavior. A signed, optimized build surfaces issues you won’t see in debug: missing resources, network quirks, startup cold paths.
✅ Tighter feedback loops. Release notes + a checklist turn vague “it feels off” comments into actionable fixes you can knock out quickly.
✅ Store pipeline rehearsal. Uploading artifacts, writing notes, and rolling out versions now means fewer surprises on launch day.

Conclusion

The app now ships through the Internal Testing track: install → test → learn → iterate. This unlocks higher-quality feedback under real conditions while keeping risk contained. It also hardens the release pipeline: versioning is clean, the build is optimized, and the tester experience is intentional. Small step, big leverage toward a smooth public launch.