Google Play private app

Question

There is the possibility to do the upload of an app for Google Play and it is only available for a list of users of my interest?

As happens on youtube that can only see that video who has permission to view that link. I have the following situation, I need my app be available for download for only a few users I have released.

But I wouldn’t want to put that APK on a server outside of Google Play. Is there any way to do this?

Answer 1

Yes, as Lucas said, if you set up your application in alpha or beta phase, the application will not be visible to the public in google play.

To give access to a limited group of people, you can set up Google+ communities or Google groups, of course people need to participate in order to access the app. All people are considered testers and may upon acceptance, download and update the application from google play, as well as a user of any app.

The images below show how to configure this:

Answer 2

If you have a company or work for one and it is registered in Google Apps for Business this is also possible and the way created for it. The name is called Google Play Private Channel.

1. The company needs to register with Google Apps for Business
2. Google Apps Administrator needs to activate Google Wallet and Google Play Developer Console.
3. The Google Apps Administrator needs to activate the Google Play Developer Console service for mobile devices.
4. An employee must register with Google Play Developer Console (Remembering it’s $25, preferably an email that isn’t tied to an employee)
5. The email registered in the Google Play Developer Console should upload the apk and restrict the view to people with email from your same domain.

Reference: Google Play Private Channel