Promoting release from "Internal test" track to production

Question

There is a possibility to promote Alpha/Beta releases to production with a single click of a button, but for some reason "Internal test" track doesn't have "Release to production" button and only "Release to alpha/beta".

I cannot find any documentation on the topic and wonder if it is something that is prevented on purpose or I'm simply missing something.

Right now the workaround is to promote release to Alpha first and only then from Alpha to production. But it doesn't make much sense, because these alpha/beta stages are not currently used for any kind of pre-release testing.

Alternatively, I can every time create a separate release for production and just select the same APK, but it also doesn't make sense when some release notes and other metadata already specified in "Internal test" release and all this info should be copied manually.

Answer 1

In the new Google Play Console (October 2020) you will find it on the right-hand-side menu in:

Release > Testing > Closed/Open Testing > Manage Track > Promote Release > Production

Answer 2

In my case I was unable to promote to Production because there was a pending untitled release under production. I found the release under Production>Releases and clicked "Discard release". Then I was able to promote my Internal testing bundle to production.

Answer 3

As of this time, Google does allow you to promote an "Internal testing" release to Production.

Under Release on the left, then under Internal testing in the left, click on Internal Testing and then, on the right/main pane click on Promote Release and then choose Closed testing, Open testing or Production.

Answer 4

App releases > Production track click Edit Releases click From Library and choose the APK (by version number) that is in Internal test