Android Setup & SDK

What this guide covers #

The flow #

1. 1
   Tester registers on TesterBuddy

   When a user creates a TesterBuddy account, they are prompted to join the TesterBuddy Google Group during onboarding.
2. 2
   Tester finds your app

   They browse the app listing, read the description and screenshots, and tap "Join Testing".
3. 3
   Play Store beta unlocks

   Because the tester is already in the Google Group you added to Play Console, the beta opt-in link in the Play Store becomes active for them immediately.
4. 4
   Feedback comes in

   Testers send feedback, respond to surveys, and chat — all inside TesterBuddy. You see everything in your developer dashboard.

What the Android SDK does #

Installation (JitPack) #

In settings.gradle.kts (project-level):

dependencyResolutionManagement {
    repositories {
        google()
        mavenCentral()
        maven { url = uri("https://jitpack.io") }
    }
}

In app/build.gradle.kts:

implementation("com.github.DavidTereba:testerbuddy-android-sdk:1.0.0")

API key from dashboard #

Quick start #

class MyApplication : Application() {
    override fun onCreate() {
        super.onCreate()
        TesterBuddy.configure(
            context = this,
            apiKey = "YOUR_WEB_API_KEY"
        )
    }
}

In each Activity, set the screen name so crashes and feedback include context:

override fun onResume() {
    super.onResume()
    TesterBuddy.setScreen("HomeScreen")
}

TesterBuddy.configure(
    context = this,
    apiKey = "YOUR_WEB_API_KEY",
    userId = null,                  // optional manual tester id
    enableAnrDetection = true,
    enableNetworkMonitoring = false, // use logNetworkError() manually
    enableSessionTracking = true,
    enableAnnouncements = true,
    debugLogging = false
)

Crash reporting #

Shake feedback #

Session tracking #

Event types #

Tester identification #

Handle URLs that include ?tb_tester_id=:

// In Activity handling VIEW intents:
TesterBuddy.handleUri(intent?.data)

TesterBuddy.setUserId(123)   // after your login flow
TesterBuddy.setUserId(null)  // on logout

Screen tracking & custom logs #

TesterBuddy.setScreen("CheckoutScreen")

TesterBuddy.log("Onboarding completed", metadata = mapOf("step" to "3"))
TesterBuddy.logNetworkError("https://api.example.com/items", statusCode = 503)

ProGuard / R8 #

-keep class app.testerbuddy.sdk.TesterBuddy { *; }

Setting up Play Console #

1. 1
   Open Google Play Console

   Go to play.google.com/console and select your app.
2. 2
   Navigate to Testing

   In the left sidebar, go to Testing and choose your track — Open testing, Closed testing, or Internal testing.
3. 3
   Add the TesterBuddy Google Group

   In the Testers tab, click "Add email list" and enter the following group address:

   testerbuddy-tester-group@googlegroups.com Copy

   Save the email list and then click "Save changes" on the testing track.

4. 4
   Publish your testing track

   Make sure your testing track has an active release. Testers will only be able to opt-in once a build is available.

About the Google Group #

Which track to use? #

Verify it works #

1. 1
   Check Play Console

   Go to your testing track → Testers tab. You should see testerbuddy-tester-group@googlegroups.com listed as an email list.
2. 2
   Test with your own account

   Join the TesterBuddy Google Group with a personal Gmail account, then search for your app in the Play Store. You should see the option to opt-in to the beta.
3. 3
   Check TesterBuddy dashboard

   When a tester joins your app in TesterBuddy, they appear in the Testers section of your developer dashboard.

Joining an Android beta #

1. 1
   Join the TesterBuddy Google Group

   During onboarding you'll be prompted to join. Or go directly to:

   groups.google.com/g/testerbuddy-tester-group Join →
2. 2
   Find an app and tap "Join Testing"

   Browse apps in TesterBuddy, open one you want to test, and tap Join Testing.
3. 3
   Opt in on the Play Store

   Open the app's Play Store page and tap "Become a tester". The beta build will download automatically.
4. 4
   Send feedback

   Use the app and share your experience directly in TesterBuddy — through the chat, surveys, or direct messages to the developer.