Android Question Google Internal Testing

[Startup]

I am releasing my App for Google Internal Testing and want to make it free for now but don't want to preclude charging for it in the future. If I select the free button when I fill out the store listing does this preclude my charging for it in the future?

 

[JohnC]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe once you mark it as free, you can't change it to paid.

But as a work around, you can always later add some in-app purchase options for the app, so that you could charge money to unlock additional features of your "Free" app.

 

[Startup]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe once you mark it as free, you can't change it to paid.

But as a work around, you can always later add some in-app purchase options for the app, so that you could charge money to unlock additional features of your "Free" app.

 

[Startup]

Thanks, JohnC
So in-app purchase options are not precluded from being added later if you initially register as free?
How about advertising is that precluded if you initially register for free?

 

[JohnC]

So in-app purchase options are not precluded from being added later if you initially register as free?

Yes.

How about advertising is that precluded if you initially register for free?

Yes, I am pretty sure you can add "ads" later for a free app.

 

[Startup]

And I suppose I can reissue the APP with a new name like "oldname +" and then treat that as a new app and charge for it?

 

[JohnC]

And I suppose I can reissue the APP with a new name like "oldname +" and then treat that as a new app and charge for it?

Yes but you also need to rename the packagename of the new app and not just the title of the app.

 

[Startup]

Yes.



Yes, I am pretty sure you can add "ads" later for a free app.

Yes but you also need to rename the packagename of the new app and not just the title of the app.

Yes but you also need to rename the packagename of the new app and not just the title of the app.

Thanks again JohnC !
However, since as you say you are "pretty sure"
Just to be sure ---
Can someone else confirm that if I initially list my APP on Google as free (for internal testing)
1. I can later add in-app purchase options.
2. I can later add "ads"
3. I can later charge for the app by issuing it with a new name and new package name

 

[JohnC]

I am 100% certain of #1 because I am doing that with one of my "Free" apps.

I am 99% certain of #2 because you can change the status if the app includes ads or not AFTER posting the app:

I am 100% certain of #3 that if you rename your app and packagename, it's a different app in googles eyes and you will have to create a "New" app in the developer's console to post this new app to the playstore.

And you can NOT change from Free to Paid: