Become a tester

Thanks for trying PicHaven before it launches on the Play Store. Four steps, ten minutes, and then please don't uninstall until the test is over. What can go wrong along the way is on the known issues page.

Google requires a closed test for new apps: at least twelve people have to install the test version from the Play Store and keep it installed for 14 days in a row. The catch: those 14 days only start once the twelfth person has joined, so joining early means staying in for longer than two weeks. Hartwin will tell you when the time is up. You don't have to use the app every day, but every bit of feedback is welcome.

How it works

Ask to join the group with the Google account that is signed in on your phone:
Open the “PicHaven Beta Test” group
Tap “Ask to join”. Hartwin approves, usually within a few hours. The group sends no mail; it is only Google's tester list. If that fails, just send Hartwin your Gmail address and he adds you directly.
Get the test version, ideally right on your phone:
Join the test program and get the app
Tap “Become a tester”; the page then says “You are a tester” with a link “download it on Google Play”. It can take a few minutes until Google Play shows the app.
Install PicHaven on your Windows PC, the counterpart of the phone app:
Download for Windows
Windows warns about the installer because it is not signed yet: click “More info”, then “Run anyway”. No admin rights needed. PicHaven then asks for the target folder and shows a QR code. Now tap “Connect PC” in PicHaven on the phone and scan that code. The first backup starts by itself; the PC window may be closed, PicHaven keeps running in the notification area at the bottom right, only the PC has to stay on.
Keep it installed until Hartwin says it's done. Google's 14 days only start once twelve testers are in, so the end date is not fixed in advance. If you uninstall in between, one of the twelve is missing and the clock starts over. Afterwards you're welcome to keep the app, unlimited: as a tester you unlock it for free with Google's test card, see below. That's our thank-you.

What you will see along the way

Google group: after “Ask to join” a small form asks for a reason; one word is fine. The page then says “request pending” until Hartwin approves. You may not get a mail about it, just come back to step 2 later.
Test page before approval: Google says you are not eligible for this test, or the page shows no button at all. That only means: not in the group yet, or signed in with a different Google account than the one on your phone.
Test page after approval: a “Become a tester” button. After tapping it the page says “You are a tester” with a link to Google Play, where the app shows up like any other, with a note that you are a tester.
In the app: allow notifications first, then “Connect PC” and allow the camera (for the QR code) and “full access” to photos. Without a PC it stays at “No PC connected yet”, which is fine for the test.

Don't buy anything with real money! After the first complete backup and 500 more photos the app offers “Unlock unlimited” for €4.99. As a tester you don't pay that: Google offers you a “Test card, always approves” instead. When buying, tap the payment method and pick the test card. If only your real card is listed, cancel. Usually it helps to force-stop the Play Store, restart the phone and try again. If the test card still doesn't show up, tell Hartwin. Unlocking with the test card is part of the test: it costs nothing, and the unlock stays yours afterwards.

Already have the beta APK installed? Don't uninstall it! Just do steps 1 and 2; Google Play installs the test version over the existing app and the connection to your PC survives.

Child accounts (Family Link) cannot join Google tests. For them the beta APK keeps working: Android asks twice, first whether your browser may install unknown apps (allow it), then Play Protect warns about apps from outside Play - tap “More details” and then “Install anyway”. When the app asks for photo access, choose “Allow all”.

No Windows PC? The installed phone app alone already counts you as a tester. More about the PC side is on the home page.

Found something? Tell us!

Write to [email protected]; even “that felt confusing” helps. Check the known issues first, the answer may already be there. The ⋮ menu in the app has “Diagnostics → Share log”, which attaches a log (it contains no photos).