How to use the pre-registration in Google Play

Hi,

I'm trying to use the pre-registration in Google Play. I have followed the instructions here:

https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9084187?hl=en

But nothing seems to be happening.

I uploaded my game's APK to production, but I didn't release it because I don't want the game to go public yet. Should the pre-registration work just by uploading the APK and turning the pre-registration on?

Or does Google need to review the APK first like with Apple App Store Pre-Orders? In that case, do I need to upload and release the game as Alpha or Beta first? Then switch the pre-registration on?