How to Offer Your Paid Apps for Free on Google Play

Google Play offers two ways through which you can offer your paid app for free temporarily. After given time period it will change back to paid app. This can be achieved either through creating a $0 sale or distributing promo codes.In this guide, we’ll explore how to set up $0 sales and promo codes, along with tips to make the most of these features.

Why Offer Your Paid App for Free ?

1. Attract New Users: Remove the cost barrier to encourage more downloads.
2. Gather Feedback: Let testers experience your app for free and provide valuable insights.
3. Boost Visibility: Free promotions can help your app gain traction in competitive markets.
4. Drive In-App Purchases: Use free access as a gateway to promote premium features or subscriptions.

Option 1: Create a $0 Sale

Steps to Set Up a 0$ Sale:

1) Go to App Pricing in Play Console:

• Log in to your Play Console account.
• Navigate to Monetize with Play > Products > App Pricing.

2) Set Up a Sale:

• Open the Sales tab and click Create Sale.
• Name your sale (visible only to you) and set the start and end dates.

3) Set the Sale Price to $0:

• Click Edit Sale Price and set it to $0 in your default currency.
• Confirm the price applies globally or select specific regions where the sale will be active.

4) Save and Launch the Sale:

• Click Save, and the sale will activate on your selected start date (Make sure that you will select the maximum duration of 7 days).

Key Considerations for $0 Sales:

• Temporary Nature: A $0 sale is a limited-time promotion. Once the sale ends, the app reverts to its original price.
• Restriction on Consecutive Sales: After a $0 sale ends, you must wait several days(30 days) before starting another.
• Metrics Impact: Downloads during a $0 sale don’t count as purchases, which can temporarily affect your buyer and revenue metrics.
• No Effect on Paid Status: Unlike switching your app to permanently free, $0 sales allow you to maintain your app’s paid status.

Option 2: Distribute Promo Codes

Promo codes are an excellent alternative for giving free access to select users, such as testers or influencers, without making your app free for everyone.

Steps to Set Up Promo Codes:

1. Access Promotions in Play Console:

• Navigate to Monetize with Play > Products > Promotions.

2) Create a New Promotion:

• Select Create Promotion and choose the type of code:
• One-Time Use Codes: Automatically generated, unique codes redeemable once.
• Custom Codes: Customizable codes redeemable multiple times (ideal for subscriptions).

3) Define the Offer:

• Specify the item (app, in-app product, or subscription) the promo code applies to.
• Set up the validity period for the promo code.

4) Distribute the Codes:

• Share the promo codes with your testers, influencers, or target audience via email, social media, or other channels.

How to Leverage These Tools for Testers

For developers working with testers:

• Use Promo Codes for Controlled Access: Distribute promo codes to testers for free access to your app without running a public $0 sale.
• Combine Both Methods: Use $0 sales for broader exposure and promo codes for selective testing with influencers or niche groups.
• Encourage Feedback: Ask testers to provide detailed feedback or report bugs after using the app.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use both $0 sales and promo codes simultaneously?

• Yes! $0 sales can target the general public, while promo codes can be reserved for specific audiences.

Q2: Do promo codes affect the app’s paid status?

• No, promo codes allow users to access the app for free without affecting its paid status.

Q3: What’s the maximum number of promo codes I can generate?

• You can generate up to 500 promo codes per app every quarter.

Q4: Do users need a payment profile to redeem promo codes?

• Yes, users need a valid Google Play account, but no payment is required for redeeming a promo code.

Conclusion

Offering your paid app for free, whether through $0 sales or promo codes, is a fantastic strategy to boost engagement, gather feedback, and build your app’s user base. I will update you with more information and solutions in future, so dont forget to hit that follow button.

For any more doubts, you can contact me at support@testerscommunity.com

Happy coding!