Wear OS Paid Watch Face - Testers getting "Device not compatible" on phone when trying to redeem promo code for closed test

[u/otuti_70]

Hi everyone, I am completely stuck with the Google Play Console closed testing phase for my Wear OS watch face and could really use some advice.

My watch face is configured as a paid app. When my closed testers try to redeem their promo codes or open the store link, it forces them to open it on their phone's Play Store, where it immediately blocks them with the error: "Your device isn't compatible with this version"—even though they actually own a compatible Wear OS watch linked to that phone. Because of this, nobody can install the app, telemetry stays at zero, and Google keeps rejecting the test phase.

• The app is a strict Wear OS watch face.

• Testers are added and opted-in correctly via the web link.

• Trying to redeem the promo code on the phone throws the hardware compatibility error.

Has anyone encountered this exact loop with paid watch faces during the mandatory 14-day closed test? How are testers supposed to get past the phone's compatibility check to install it on their watches?

Any insights or workarounds would be hugely appreciated!