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It's true, you need 12 testers to publish an app on Google Play if your developer account was created after November 13, 2023; this requirement has decreased from 20.

This requirement benefits companies, which can have these testers on staff, and disadvantages independent developers who struggle to find testers willing to test the app for 14 days. The key points are:
This measure was introduced to reduce the flow of overly simplistic apps uploaded by individual developers and thus improve the quality of apps on Google Play. However, in addition to the difficulty of finding testers, it also increases app development time by about 20 days, which is the duration of the testing plus the time it takes Google to validate it.

Where can I find 12 testers?

Ideally, they would be friends or family, but it's very difficult to find someone with the same availability. You can find volunteers in developer communities, and also by paying, because due to this requirement, websites have emerged where, for a fee, they provide the 12 testers you need.

One of the main developer communities is Reddit, with subreddits like r/AndroidClosedTesting, r/androiddev, or r/sideproject. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, etc., searching for terms like "android tester exchange." But "begging" for testers is tedious and repetitive. Therefore, many people choose to pay. For this, there are websites like 20testers where they charge $1 per tester, which is quite affordable.

Once I have the testers, how do I conduct the testing?

Make sure the instructions for joining the testing are clear and simple. Send a reminder after 3-5 days and at the beginning of the second week. Ask them directly if they've found any bugs or if they have any suggestions. This helps ensure continuous participation. If feasible, you can offer the most active testers a promotional code or free access to a future premium version, if the app is paid. A good approach is to ask each tester to perform a specific task to ensure they use the app for the entire 14 days.

Is this useful?

Not really. Because Google doesn't look at the test conclusions, which you have to fill out at the end of the testing period. You can put whatever you want; it's simply a barrier they put in place to prevent so many "simple" apps from being published.

If you publish your app through my developer account, you won't have this problem; you won't need testers since my account is many years old.

Summary

Do I need 12 testers to publish my app on Google Play?

Yes, if your developer account is personal and was created after November 13, 2023

Where can I find 12 testers?

They can be friends, or you can find groups of developers offering their services as testers in developer communities, or you can pay through websites that offer them.

How long does the testing phase last?

It lasts 14 days plus the time it takes Google to validate the test results, usually around 20 days.

What is the real purpose of this requirement?

Google puts it in place as a barrier This is an entry point for overly simple apps from independent developers, in order to maintain the high quality of apps on Google Play.