Celia’s Circle App Beta Testing Begins: All the Details

Celia has launched the beta testing phase for its Circle app, a private browser designed to reward users for their online activity. The testing phase, which began on Monday, July 21, marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to refine its first product before a broader release. This article provides a detailed overview of the beta testing process, how testers are selected, the quotas for Android and iOS, the feedback mechanism, and the app’s revenue model, drawing from Celia’s recent announcements.

Beta Testing Overview

The Circle app beta testing phase is a critical stage in its development, allowing Celia to gather real-world feedback from users to identify bugs, assess usability, and refine features. The testing is structured as a closed beta, meaning participation is limited to a select group of users who apply and meet specific criteria. Initially, Celia planned to onboard 200 testers, but due to significant community interest, the project expanded the quota to 1,000 testers, with 750 slots for Android users and 250 for iOS users. This expansion reflects the high level of engagement from Celia’s community, particularly those already active within its ecosystem.

The beta phase is designed to test the app in real-world scenarios, ensuring it meets user expectations for functionality and performance. However, Celia has emphasized that all activities during the beta—such as referrals, points earned, and user progress—will not carry over to the main app upon its official release. 

Tester Selection Process

To participate, interested users must apply through a form provided by Celia, which requires their email, registered Celia account email, and preferred device (Android or iOS). The selection process prioritizes applicants based on their activity and engagement within the Celia ecosystem, such as interactions with the company’s existing platforms or token-related activities. The top 1,000 applicants are chosen, with selected testers receiving a confirmation email followed by an exclusive invite link to download the Circle app within 24 hours. Each selected tester can also refer up to five friends, expanding the testing pool while maintaining a controlled group.

This approach ensures that testers are already familiar with Celia’s offerings, which may include holding $CELIA tokens or engaging with related features like news consumption or referrals. By focusing on engaged users, Celia aims to gather detailed and relevant feedback from individuals invested in the project’s success. However, the reliance on prior engagement could limit diversity in the tester pool, potentially affecting the range of feedback received.

Device Quotas and Feedback Mechanism

The allocation of 750 Android and 250 iOS testers reflects the broader market distribution of mobile devices, where Android holds a larger global share. This split also aligns with the technical demands of testing across different operating systems, as Android’s fragmentation across devices and versions requires a larger sample to ensure compatibility. iOS, with its more standardized ecosystem, requires fewer testers but still demands rigorous evaluation to meet Apple’s strict App Store guidelines.

A standout feature of the Circle app’s beta testing is its “shake-to-report” feedback system. Testers can report bugs or issues by simply shaking their phone, which triggers an instant feedback submission to the development team. This streamlined approach reduces barriers to reporting, encouraging testers to provide real-time input on their experiences. Celia has emphasized that this mechanism is the most direct way to reach developers, ensuring that critical issues are quickly identified and addressed.

Revenue Model

The Circle app’s revenue model centers on partnerships and advertising, leveraging its privacy-focused browser to connect companies with users. Through strategic partnerships, companies pay Circle to feature their advertisements on the platform, including options like app publishing in the Circle Store, banner ads, video ads, and sponsored content. This approach allows businesses to reach Circle’s user base while aligning with the app’s emphasis on user privacy.

Additionally, Circle integrates Google AdMob, a mobile advertising platform, to monetize the app by displaying targeted ads to users. As a middleman, Circle facilitates connections between advertisers, retailers, and users, generating revenue from these transactions and user engagement. Users, in turn, can earn rewards for participating in online activities, such as browsing or interacting with content, creating a system that incentivizes engagement while supporting the platform’s financial sustainability. The specifics of how rewards are distributed or tied to the $CELIA token remain unclear, with further details expected closer to the mainnet launch in August 2025.

Broader Context and Future Plans

The Circle app is positioned as Celia’s first product in a planned Web3 ecosystem, with features like referrals, contact syncing, and verification eligibility indicating a community-driven approach. The company plans to release a mainnet checklist in August 2025, providing users with a roadmap to prepare their $CELIA tokens for migration, suggesting a transition to a decentralized network.

Celia’s Circle app beta testing offers a glimpse into a privacy-focused browser with a unique rewards system. With 1,000 testers split across Android and iOS, a streamlined feedback mechanism, and an ad-based revenue model, the project is taking deliberate steps toward a polished release. 

As Celia prepares for its mainnet launch, the insights gained from this beta phase will be crucial in shaping the app’s future and its role within the broader Web3 ecosystem.