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Last Update: May 9, 2025


To get the Android JSON key file needed to add your Android app to GoMarketMe, you’ll need to create a service account and generate a key in Google Cloud Platform (GCP), then link that service account to your Google Play Developer account. Follow the step-by-step instructions below:

 

1. Create a Google Cloud Project (if it doesn’t already exist)

If you don’t already have a Google Cloud Platform project, you’ll need to create one:

  • Go to the Google Cloud Console.
  • Click on the project dropdown at the top of the page next to “Google Cloud Platform.”
  • Click on “New Project” at the top-right of the modal that appears.
  • Enter a project name and select a billing account if prompted. Click “Create.”

 

2. Create a Service Account

  • In the Google Cloud Console, make sure your new project is selected.
  • Navigate to “IAM & Admin” > “Service Accounts” in the left-hand menu.




  • Click on “Create Service Account.”
  • Enter a service account name and description, then click “Create and continue”.

     



  • Assign the “Basic” > “Viewer” role to the service account, then click “Continue”.

     



  • Click “Done” to finish creating the service account.

 

3. Create a Key for the Service Account

  • Find the service account you just created in the list of service accounts.
  • Click on the service account name to go to its details page.
  • Go to the “Keys” tab.
  • Click on “Add Key” > “Create new key.”

     



  • Choose “JSON” as the key type and click “Create.”
  • The JSON key file will be automatically downloaded to your computer. This is your KEY_FILE that you will use to authenticate your requests to the Google Play Developer API.

     


 

4. Link Service Account to Google Play Developer Account

  • Go to Google Cloud Console > APIs & Services
  • Search for “Google Play Android Developer API”.
  • Enable




  • Go to Google Play Console > Users & Permissions > Invite user > Enter service account email created at step 2.
  • Add App > Select your app.
  • Select “View Financial data” and “Manage orders and subscriptions” > Apply.
  • Click “Invite User” > “Send Invite” to finish linking the service account. 

Note: Google caches permissions for performance reasons. To trigger a refresh, you may need to make a small change in the Play Store (e.g., add a space to a product description or add a tag to a subscription). This is a Google limitation. See this StackOverflow answer for details.

 

5. Confirm Access

  • Go to your GoMarketMe Dashboard > Apps > Select your Android App.
  • Either upload the Android Key file provided at step 3, or hit “Test/Validate Android JSON Key file” if you already uploaded one: