Are mobile games getting reviewed before they get published in the app store?

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Are mobile games getting reviewed before they get published in the app store?

Kim Strasser 2,416

Are mobile games still in TestFlight(iOS)/Google Play Internal Testing(Android) when mobile games reviewers and YouTubers are testing the games? Or is it better to first publish a game in the Apple App Store/Google Play Store so that the mobile games reviewers can download and review the published version of the game?

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Answer 1

Nancy Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 2,885 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Kim Strasser ,

Thank you for reaching out.

The better choice in most cases is to test your game first, then publish it only when it's ready and stable.

TestFlight (for iOS) and Internal or Closed Testing (for Android) let you send the game privately to just a few people, like reviewers or YouTubers very quickly. You can update the game fast if there are problems, and no one else can see or download it yet. There is no risk of bad reviews from normal users while you fix things.

If you publish first, you have to wait for Apple or Google to check the full game (this can take days or weeks), and once it's live, anyone can download it, even if small bugs are still there. That can lead to early bad feedback and hurt your game's start.

Hope this helps. If you found my response helpful or informative, I would greatly appreciate it if you could follow this guidance provide feedback. Thank you.

Kim Strasser 2,416 Reputation points

2026-03-17T08:36:48.42+00:00

Is it possible to provide free in-app purhases for reviewers when my game is published in the Apple App Store/Google Play Store and when they would download the published version of my game?

Or is it only possible to provide free in-app purchases in TestFlight and Google Play Internal Testing?
Nancy Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 2,885 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-17T09:09:52.18+00:00

Hi @Kim Strasser ,

It is possible to provide free in-app purchases for reviewers when your game is published in Apple App Store or Google Play Store. They still get full access to paid features without paying, while you control who gets the benefits and avoid any need to limit it to beta tracks.

For Apple, you create offer codes in App Store Connect to give discounted or free access to in-app purchases, reviewers redeem them via a URL, in the App Store, or inside your app on the published version.

For Google Play, you set up promo codes in the Play Console for one time in-app products or subscription trials, reviewers redeem them in the Play Store app or in your game on the published version, getting the items free with no public issues.

While these links are non-Microsoft links, they are official Apple and Android documentations and are safe to visit.

Hope this helps. Thank you for your time.
Kim Strasser 2,416 Reputation points

2026-03-17T09:53:08.2533333+00:00

I think that it would be easier for reviewers if they don´t need to configure a sandbox account on their iOS device. Maybe it´s easier for them to use offer codes.

Apple App Store:

One-time-use codes Unique, randomly generated codes that can each be redeemed only once. How customers redeem: Customers can redeem these codes through a unique redemption URL, by manually entering the code in the App Store, or directly within your app (if your app supports it). You can set set an expiration date with a maximum of 6 months, after which the code will no longer be valid.

Google Play Store:

One-time use codes: Automatically generated unique codes that can be redeemed once. Users can redeem one-time use codes directly from the Google Play or in-app.

Is it possible to use offer codes(iOS)/promo codes(Android) without creating a new menu in my game where the reviewers would need to enter the code?

Can I provide free codes and then the reviewers could enter the iOS/Android codes somewhere in the Apple App Store/Google Play Store and then the reviewers automatically get the free in-app purchase in my game?
Nancy Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 2,885 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-17T10:44:15.96+00:00

Hi @Kim Strasser ,

Is it possible to use offer codes (iOS) / promo codes (Android) without creating a new menu in my game where the reviewers would need to enter the code?

Yes, it's possible. Usually no custom code-entry UI is needed, redemption is handled by Apple/Google. You don't need to add any custom UI, text field, or button in your game for entering codes, external redemption handles everything.

Can I provide free codes and then the reviewers could enter the iOS/Android codes somewhere in the Apple App Store/Google Play Store and then the reviewers automatically get the free in-app purchase in my game?

Yes, you send them the code. They enter/redeem it directly in their Apple App Store or Google Play Store (no need to open your game yet). Once redeemed successfully, your app should detect the entitlement through the store.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Bruce (SqlWork.com) 83,816

In general your challenge will be to get a reviewer to look at your app.

optimistic article:

https://gamemarketinggenie.com/blog/mobile-game-review-strategies/

counter article:

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/mobile-game-review-sites-are-a-waste-of-time

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Are mobile games getting reviewed before they get published in the app store?

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