Getting started
A. Payments Profile & Google Cloud Project B. Enable the Google Play Developer API for your projectC. Set up a service account D. Invite the service account
You'll need access to both your Google Cloud Console and Google Play Console accounts to complete this process.
This process is specific to Google Play — no action is needed on the Apple side for in-app purchases setup
What is Google Play's billing system?
Google Play is the online store where users download apps and other digital products. Google Play's billing system lets you sell digital products and content within your Android app, using a set of APIs that integrate with both your app and Locatify's backend — allowing your users to make purchases safely and easily through Google Play.
A. Payments Profile & Google Cloud Project
- Create a payments profile in your Google Play Developer account — or, if you already have one, link your Google Play Developer account to your existing payments profile.
- Connect to your business Google/Gmail account to make sure you're linking the right account.
- Open Google Cloud Console.
If you've already created a Google Cloud project for your Google Maps API key, open that same existing project (it should have the same name as your app) — there's no need to create a new one. Skip ahead to Section B.
If you haven't created a project yet, follow the steps below.
Create a Google Cloud Project
- Click Select a project in the top left corner.
- Click New Project.
- Add your Project Name. You can use the name of your app to simplify the search. Letters and numbers are allowed. A Project ID will be created automatically.
- Optional: Add an Organization (your domain name or organization) and a Location (parent organization — this can be the same as your Organization Name). More info: Creating and managing projects | Resource Manager Documentation | Google Cloud.
- Click Create.
- Back on the Google Cloud Platform dashboard, find your project card with the Project ID info, then click Go to project settings.
B. Enable the Google Play Developer API
Once your Google Cloud project is set up, you need to enable the Google Play Developer API for it.
- Navigate to the main navigation menu on the left screen → APIs & Services → Enabled APIs & Services
2. Click on + Enable APIs & Services
3. Search for Google Play Android Developer API in the API library.
4. Click Enable.
C. Set Up a Service Account
- Go to the navigation menu → IAM & Admin → Service Accounts
- In the middle of the screen, click on+ Create Service Account and fill in the details — add a name (e.g., "Play").
- Select role: Service Account User.
4. Click Done.
5. Copy the email address created — you'll need it shortly.
6. Click on the email address, then go to Keys → Add Key → Create a New Key.
7. Choose key type: JSON, and create the key.
- Keep the downloaded JSON file safe, in an encrypted location.
D. Invite the Service Account
- Open your Google Play Console account.
- Go to Users & Permissions.
- Click on Invite new users.
- Paste the service account's email address (saved earlier) into the user details field, and grant the necessary permissions: Admin.
- Click Invite user.
6. Upload the JSON file to the CMS allocated field. Keep a copy safe for yourself.
Well Done!!!