Overview
Creating a Google Play Developer account is essential for anyone looking to publish Android apps to a broad audience. It is a straightforward process, but there are some specific steps and details to bear in mind, especially if you're creating an account for a company.
Setting up a Gmail Account for Your Company
Visit Gmail's website (www.gmail.com) and click on "Create Account".
Select "To manage my business."
Follow the prompts, entering your company's name for the "First" and "Last" fields. This will serve as your email username (example: 'companyname@gmail.com')
Complete the rest of the form with the requested details, including the creation of a strong password.
Verify your Gmail Account: Google might require you to verify your account using a mobile phone number to ensure the account's security. ID, passport, or driving license is typically not required to verify a Google account.
Initiating the Developer Account Setup on Google Console
Once you've set up and verified your Gmail account, head to the Google Play Console (www.developer.android.com). Here, you'll use your company's Gmail account to set up the developer account.
Ensure that the role set for this Gmail account is that of the 'Owner'. This role has the highest level of access and is necessary for full control over app publishing and management.
Handling the One-Time Payment
There is a one-time registration fee of around $25 to create a Google Play Developer account. Make sure to process this payment.
Google does not provide invoices for this payment. You will get a receipt. If you require an invoice, you'll need to check their website and contact Google support for more details.
Granting Access to tech@spaceos.io
Access your Google Play Console and click “Users and Permissions”.
Then click “Invite new users”.
Input the email: tech@spaceos.io and ensure that the role set for them is 'Admin' in the Permissions section. This level of access will allow them to manage apps, financial information, and other necessary details. You do not have to set the expiry date.
It's always a good practice to have a backup person in your company with access to the Owner account. This ensures continuity in case the primary account manager is unavailable.
Enabling API for Google Play
Automating the app upload process makes it faster and simpler for you to start using it. That's why spaceOS is working hard to do it.
Sign in to the Google Play Console as the developer account owner
You can determine the account owner on the Account details page.
Go to Setup -> API access, select “Create a new Google Cloud project” and click Next.
The page should become like on picture, and here you'll need to click on "Learn how to create service accounts".
You'll be shown a prompt, follow the link to "Google Cloud Platform".
Once you're in a Cloud Console, click on the "Create Service Account" button.
Give the account a name, e.g. "SpaceOS-automation", and click "Done" at the bottom of the screen.
In Console, you'll see a new entry for the service account. Click on its email link.
On the new screen, go to the "Keys" tab. Click on the "Add Key" button and choose "Create new key".
Once prompted, choose a "JSON" type for a key and click Create.
Your browser should automatically download that .json file, named e.g. "pc-api-xxxxxxxxx-xxxxx-xxxx.json".
Close a prompt that appears.
Copy the email address of your service account (from Step 7) and send it to our team along with the .json file. The rest will be on us.