diff --git a/android/play-store/internal-release-v1.md b/android/play-store/internal-release-v1.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4a0fea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/android/play-store/internal-release-v1.md
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# Internal release v1
+
+This is the operator copy for the first Google Play internal-testing release.
+It identifies the already uploaded, source-bound candidate and does not grant
+permission to publish it.
+
+## Release identity
+
+- Track: Internal testing
+- Release label: `0.1.0 internal verification`
+- Package: `org.whoneedhelp.mobile`
+- Version code: `1`
+- Version name: `0.1.0`
+- AAB: `android/dist-release-20260803-162910/who-need-help-release.aab`
+- AAB SHA-256:
+  `03d39a9a08e9ca7569caccf1c7bd75e9349f7655935e7bbf23d1998cd37b3837`
+- Source fingerprint:
+  `f2f281210d11465d8f7fda20a78d1ed2527660d2e8a10a29ed31bf031a29ce43`
+
+Do not rebuild, replace, or re-upload the candidate while preparing this
+release. Keep the accepted version-code `1` artifact and remove only the
+failed duplicate-upload row if it is still present in the draft.
+
+## Release notes
+
+### English (United States)
+
+First internal build for production verification. Test secure sign-in,
+privacy-aware nearby requests and activities, private chat, notifications,
+verified links, and consent-based live location sharing.
+
+### Ukrainian
+
+Перша внутрішня збірка для перевірки перед запуском. Перевірте безпечний вхід,
+заявки й події поруч із захистом приватності, приватний чат, сповіщення,
+перевірені посилання та добровільне передавання геолокації.
+
+### Russian
+
+Первая внутренняя сборка для проверки перед запуском. Проверьте безопасный
+вход, заявки и события поблизости с защитой приватности, приватный чат,
+уведомления, проверенные ссылки и добровольную передачу геолокации.
+
+## Before publishing
+
+Verify in Play Console that:
+
+1. the draft is under the Who Need Help application with Play application ID
+   `4972430103169452589`;
+2. the track is Internal testing;
+3. exactly one accepted artifact with version code `1` remains in the release;
+4. the package is `org.whoneedhelp.mobile`;
+5. the release notes above contain no test URL, credential, email address,
+   private location, or prescription information;
+6. no production or closed-track rollout is selected.
+
+Saving or publishing the release is an external state change. Do not press the
+final save, publish, or rollout control without the user's explicit permission
+for this exact candidate and track.
+
+## Immediately after publication
+
+1. Record every Play App Signing SHA-1 and SHA-256 displayed by Play.
+2. Import the applicable identities into the production Firebase Android
+   configuration and production App Links association using the protected
+   import workflow.
+3. Install from the internal-testing opt-in link on the authorised physical
+   phone.
+4. Run `scripts/verify-play-installed-android.sh` before testing product flows.
+5. Exercise production sign-in, notifications, verified links, foreground and
+   background location sharing, and the Stop action from the Play-delivered
+   build.
+
diff --git a/android/play-store/release-checklist.md b/android/play-store/release-checklist.md
index ca57ed2..2300cf2 100644
--- a/android/play-store/release-checklist.md
+++ b/android/play-store/release-checklist.md
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@
 
 ## Build
 
+- [x] Freeze the exact internal-release identity and localized release notes in
+      `internal-release-v1.md`; final save/publish remains a separate explicit
+      external action.
 - [x] Build from the exact committed candidate with the validated Android
       allow-list read from the production checkout’s single `.env`.
 - [x] Run `scripts/android-release-build.sh`.
diff --git a/docs/google-play-release-candidate-2026-08-03.md b/docs/google-play-release-candidate-2026-08-03.md
index 020611c..14cc959 100644
--- a/docs/google-play-release-candidate-2026-08-03.md
+++ b/docs/google-play-release-candidate-2026-08-03.md
@@ -82,6 +82,10 @@ The internal-testing draft contains the exact version-code `1` AAB identified
 above, but the release has not yet been saved/published to testers. A failed
 duplicate-upload row must not be confused with the accepted artifact.
 
+The exact release label, localized notes, pre-publication checks, and
+post-publication sequence are frozen in
+`android/play-store/internal-release-v1.md`.
+
 The remaining Console sequence is:
 
 1. Keep the accepted version-code `1` artifact and remove only the failed