From Rejection to Release: How the Pinoy-Made App Todochi Got on Google Play

The journey of Todochi, a Pinoy-made app, from "Hello, World!" to its release on Google Play Store has been a challenging one. The four brothers behind Todochi from the Philippines submitted their app for testing at RevenueCat's Shipaton 2026. However, they faced several hurdles along the way.

Initially, Google Play Store review process rejected their submission due to lack of engagement from closed-test users. Google Play required a minimum of 12 testers for closed testing and wanted to see meaningful engagement from testers. They also recommended improvements based on feedback from testers and suggested another 14-day closed test.

Despite the setback, the brothers took Google's feedback seriously and rebuilt parts of the app. They paid closer attention to the feedback they received from testers, which eventually led to several improvements in Todochi. These include custom voice recording, custom character photos, the ability to set reminders for specific dates, better reminder management, and a new onboarding tutorial.

After numerous rounds of testing and development, Todochi was granted production access on Google Play. This means they can now make the app available to the public on Android. For new developers, the brothers advise finding testers early and treating the testing period as an opportunity to improve the app, rather than just a deadline to meet.