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I want to distribute my app as both normal and instant app on Google Play, the size of the normal bundle is below 10Mb so it can also be an instant app.

I followed google's guide to build instant apps with bundles (https://developer.android.com/topic/google-play-instant/getting-started/instant-enabled-app-bundle#test-from-studio).

Basically I created two bundles, one with the installable app (version code 1000) and one with the manifest configurations for instant app (targetSandboxVersion=2 and <dist:module dist:instant="true" /> version code 1).

I also did the configuration for the verified app links, so deeplinking in the installable app works just fine.

I uploaded both bundles to my internal test track, I invited myself as a tester. I can see the installable app on my phone, I can install it just fine, but the problem is that I cannot see the instant app, if I open the url for the instant app build from my phone, PlayStore app is getting stuck in a loading screen. Also the "Try now" button if I open the details of my app internal testing app.

I have Google play instant and internal app sharing active. I tried everything I could find online, nothing seems to work.

Any ideas what I am doing wrong? Thanks in advance.

Simion Vlad
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  • I can't get your problem. Can you open your instant app by your link? When you click in your link your installable app is opened instead? Can you see Try now button in your internal test page? I'm working on an instant app right now and I can't open my instant app on a internal test by my link too... – Bruno Milhan Aug 04 '23 at 15:21
  • So I have 2 releases, one for the installable app and one for the instant app. The installable app is opened just fine on the phone with the url from "Copy sharable link" in play console, but it does not show the "Try now" option. If I do the same thing with the url for the instant app, the playstore is getting stuck in an infinite loading indicator. – Simion Vlad Aug 04 '23 at 21:35

2 Answers2

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I faced a similar problem. In my case my app not appeared because of Google Play cache. So, to fix this and be able to acesse my app by my link I cleared the cache with the command:

adb shell am broadcast -a com.google.android.finsky.action.CONTENT_FILTERS_CHANGED
  • You need to run this on a machine with a connected device that you are in an internal test track.

After that my links started to works as expected.

If you have other problems, please let me know, because things related to instant apps not have good documentation and I faced a lot of issues, maybe I can help you too.

Bruno Milhan
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  • Thanks for the answer, I found this solution in another thread, but unfortunately it's not working. I tried this: While connected to WiFi, unplug the device and plug it back in Opt out and back in to instant apps (Settings > Google > Instant Apps) Run adb shell am broadcast -a com.google.android.finsky.action.CONTENT_FILTERS_CHANGED from a connected machine set up for USB debugging. – Simion Vlad Aug 04 '23 at 21:29
  • I get it. About Try it now button I faced the same issue. To solve that I needed enable instant experience on Google Play to my app. You find that in Configure > Advanced Settings > Release Types and Add Google play instant format. After that you will able to see aside the create new version button in a internal test track a selector to choose between smartphone or instant experience. So you just need to upload your instant bundle in this track. – Bruno Milhan Aug 07 '23 at 11:22
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For anyone having the same issue, I promoted my release to a Closed release, the app went throw the google review process and now I can see the "Try now" button and the instant app functionality is enabled.

marc_s
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Simion Vlad
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