title: Google play distribute app for specific (test) users only
body: <p>Simple question, as i can remember there was an option at the developers console in the Play Store to make an app only visible to a set of email addresses. Or at least the app would be free for that set of emails.</p>
  
  <p>So is there an option to make an app only visible to a specific set of email addresses on the Play Store?</p>
  
  <p>I'm asking this because i want to test my app, therefor i have to email it to like 50 people (not a problem). But when i update the app in the "beta" stage i don't want to resend those emails, and ask the test users to update the current install. Using the Play Store updates would be more seamless and automatic.</p>
  
  <p>Does anyone have experience with this situation?</p>
  
  <p><strong>Edit:</strong></p>
  
  <p>It seems that there is at the moment only one simple answer:</p>
  
  <p>No, using Google Play it's not (yet) possible. But there are some alternatives out there, see accepted answer.</p>
  
  <p>It would be great if Google could add this functionality to the developers console, this would allow developers to simply bring out new updates, and easily see crash rapports without having to publish the app in public.</p>
  
  <p><strong>Edit 2:</strong></p>
  
  <p>Now it is possible to Alpha and Beta test your applications! I believe since the 15 of may 2013.</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/3131213?hl=nl" rel="noreferrer">https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/3131213?hl=nl</a></p>