Join the Splotch beta
Joining is free and takes three quick steps — plus an optional fourth if you'd like to send feedback. Thank you for helping!
How to join on Android
- 1
Join the testers group
Press Join group at the top — Google Play checks this group to decide who can see the beta. Use the same Google account that's signed in to the Play Store on your phone or tablet.
- 2
Opt in on Google Play
Press Become a tester, signed in with the same account you used in step 1. This enrolls you; it doesn't install anything yet.
- 3
Install Splotch
The listing unlocks once step 2 is done. Install it like any other app — beta updates arrive automatically from here.
Please stay for 14 days
Google requires a stretch of continuously enrolled testers before Splotch can apply for a public listing, so please stay opted in for at least 14 days in a row. You don't have to keep drawing — just stay enrolled.
- 4
Tell us what you think
OptionalFound a bug, or thought of something Splotch should do? The form lives at https://splotch.art/feedback — odd crashes, confusing buttons, and “my toddler did what?” stories are all genuinely useful.
Troubleshooting
Beta not showing up, “item not found”, or stuck on
step 2?
“Item not found” on the store link
You aren't opted in yet, or the browser is signed in to a different Google account. Go back to the tester page, check the account shown in the top-right corner, and opt in there first.
The tester page says you're not a member
Joining is instant and there's no approval to wait on, so either the join never went through or it went through on a different Google account. Open the group page again, check the account in the top-right corner, and join from there.
The phone can't find the app but your computer can
The two are signed in to different accounts. In the Play Store app, tap your profile picture in the top-right to see which account is active.
You just joined and the links haven't caught up
None of this is instant — Google Play doesn't always recognize a new group membership straight away. Check that both pages are signed in to the same Google account, then make a cup of tea and try again a little later before assuming something is broken.
Everything looks right and Play still disagrees
Close and reopen the Play Store, check the active account, and try the store link again. As a last resort, open Android Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage and clear its cache; the exact menu names vary by device.
Leaving the beta
Open the tester page again and press “Leave the program”, which stops the beta updates. If a public Android version is out by then, you may need to uninstall Splotch and reinstall it from Google Play to switch over; until there is one, leaving the beta also means you won't be able to reinstall the Android app. No hard feelings.
How to join on iPhone or iPad
- 1
Install TestFlight
TestFlight is Apple's app for trying prerelease apps. Install it from the App Store on the iPhone or iPad you'll draw on — or skip straight to step 2 if you already have it.
- 2
Accept the invitation
Open Splotch's public invitation — it opens in TestFlight — and follow Apple's prompt to start testing. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple Account first.
- 3
Install Splotch
Splotch now appears inside TestFlight. Tap Install, then open it like any other app — new beta builds arrive there automatically.
- 4
Tell us what you think
OptionalTestFlight can send feedback and screenshots directly, or use the form at https://splotch.art/feedback — bugs, confusing buttons, and “my toddler did what?” stories are all genuinely useful.
Troubleshooting
Invitation not opening, beta unavailable, or no
Install button?
The invitation opens in Safari instead of TestFlight
Install TestFlight from the App Store first, then reopen the invitation on the same iPhone or iPad.
The beta isn't accepting new testers
The current build may still be waiting for Apple's review, enrollment may be paused, or the group may be full. Try the invitation again later.
Splotch appears, but there is no Install button
Check that the device runs iOS or iPadOS 16.4 or newer and has enough free storage, then close and reopen TestFlight.
A new beta build isn't showing up
Open TestFlight, select Splotch, and look for an Update button. TestFlight may take a little while to show a newly released build. Beta builds also expire after 90 days, so an install that stopped opening usually just needs that update.
Leaving the beta
Open Splotch in TestFlight, scroll to the bottom, and tap “Stop Testing”. This stops beta updates and removes you from the testing group. No hard feelings.