Sharing the API key is crucial as it improves app performance through app updates, strengthens app security, and streamlines app management. This help document provides detailed step-by-step instructions on how to share your API key for Android apps.
This process consists of 3 sections:
Create service account
Enable Play Store API
Give admin access to the service account email
Create service account
Log in to the Google Play Console with credentials that has Owner
Permission.
In another tab, log in to the Google Cloud Console with the same credentials used in step 1.
In the Google Cloud Console, click Select a project.
If you already have a project, skip this and the next point. Otherwise, click NEW PROJECT.
In the Project name field, enter Google Play Console Developer1 and click the CREATE button. Then, refresh the page.
Select the created project - Google Play Console Developer1. You can also select an existing project.
From the hamburger menu, navigate to IAM & Admin > Service Accounts.
Click CREATE SERVICE ACCOUNT.
Enter the Service account name as Vajro Mobile App Builder and click CREATE AND CONTINUE.
Click the Select a role dropdown.
Select the Service Account User option from the dropdown.
Click + ADD ANOTHER ROLE.
Click Basic and then select the Viewer role.
Click CONTINUE to associate the selected roles.
Click DONE.
Once created, copy and save the email ID of the created service account. Note that this will be used in a later step. Click on the newly created account under Service accounts.
Navigate to the KEYS tab.
Click ADD KEY button and then select Create new key option.
Select the key type as JSON and click CREATE. This will download the API key as a .json file. Store this file on your computer to share it later.
Enable Play Store API
In the same project, navigate to APIs & Services and click Enabled APIs & services.
Click + ENABLE APIS AND SERVICES.
Search for Google Play Android Developer API in the search bar and click on the search result.
Click ENABLE button.
Give admin access to the service account email
Switch back to the Google Play Console browser tab.
In the Users and permissions menu, click on the Invite new users button.
You will now be taken to the Invite user page. Copy the email address from step 16 and paste it into the Email address field here. Then, click on the Account permissions tab.
Select Admin (all permissions) and click Invite user.
Click Send invite.
Open the Account details page from the left navigation menu.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and copy the Developer account ID. Note that this will be required during the key submission.
Please share your key file that was downloaded earlier via this form: