Keeping your developer account information up to date

This article describes requirements to maintain accurate Play Console developer account information for new Play Console Developer accounts beginning August 31, 2023. These expanded developer verification requirements were recently announced as part of our Play Console Requirements policy.

This article applies to new Play Console developer accounts only.

Learn more on the Android Developers Blog.

To help keep Google Play users safe, you must maintain accurate developer account information. Failing to do so may impact your developer presence and app availability on Google Play.

Maintaining your developer identity details and contact information

If Google is unable to verify your developer identity details or contact information, your developer presence and apps may be removed from Google Play. In this case, you will not be able to republish your app in Play Console until you have re-verified your developer information. This is part of Google Play’s Play Console Requirements policy and aims to improve user safety on Google Play.

To avoid account restrictions, ensure that you keep the legal name and address of your developer account up to date. For organizations, these details must match what is held about your organization on the Dun and Bradstreet profile that you provided when setting up your developer account.

You must ensure your contact details are current and functional. This includes:

your contact email address and phone number (used by Google to contact you about your developer account); and
your developer email address and developer phone number (for organizational developer accounts and developers based in Korea), that is publicly displayed on Google Play to identify you or your organization.

Update your legal name and address

Click on the section below that matches your developer account type to expand it.

Note: If your legal name or address changes, or your organization's legal name or business address changes, you must update the payment profile used to verify your developer account.

Update personal developer account information

You can change your legal name and address by completing and submitting this form. If we are unable to verify your identity details using the information and documents that you provide, your developer presence and apps may be removed from Google Play. Make sure that the information you give us meets the requirements as stated on the form to ensure your developer account is not impacted.

If you need to change your country, then you will be required to create a new google developer account and transfer your apps across.

Update organization developer account information

If your organization’s name or address changes, make sure the change is reflected in the Dun and Bradstreet profile associated with your developer account. You do not update your organization’s name, address, or D-U-N-S number directly in the Google Play Console, but rather through updating in Dun and Bradstreet first.

Shortly after your Dun and Bradstreet profile has been updated, the account owner of your Google Play developer account will be notified via email that your developer identity must be re-verified. The Play Console will also make it clear to all team members of the account that the account needs to be re-verified. The Console notification will include a link to a form that allows you to provide new identity documents validating your identity details stored on Dun and Bradstreet.

Changing your developer account type

If you wish to change the type of your Play Console developer account type from individual to organization, or vice-versa, you must create a new developer account using the appropriate account type, and complete verifications for that account type. Once you have verified the new account, you will be able to transfer your app(s) to your new developer account.

Additional requirements for merchant developers

All merchant developers (developers that make money on Google Play using Google’s Play's billing system) must have a verified payment method to receive payments from Google.

As soon as you add a form of payment to your developer account to receive your earnings, you must verify it. Developers with unverified bank accounts will have their developer presence and apps removed from Google Play. This is part of an ongoing effort to keep Google Play users safe. Learn more about managing your merchant account information and verifying your bank account.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to have my developer presence and apps removed from Google Play?

Your apps will no longer be available for users to download on Google Play.

If my apps are removed for not complying with the Play Console Requirements policy, can I republish them to Google Play?

Yes, you can have your apps reinstated by re-verifying your developer account information.

Can I get more time to verify my developer information?

If you need more time to verify your developer information, you will be able submit an appeal in Play Console.

Can I use one DUNS number to register or verify multiple developer accounts? Could one DUNS number be used to create 5-7 developer accounts?

Yes, you can create multiple developer accounts using one DUNS number.

Does my developer name need to match my organization's legal name?

No. Your developer name does not need to match the organization name. It can be different to the legal name of your organization and can be changed later.

What is the acceptable proof of a legal address?

Proof of address varies by region but it will be one of the following documents:

Government-issued document or ID
Utility or phone bill
Bank statement
Lease or mortgage agreement

When submitting for verification, please ensure that your documents have not expired. You can submit any additional documentation questions using the verification issues form.

What if I am an existing developer and trying to sign up for verification?

Please review this Help Center article if you’re an existing developer.

I can’t find the option for applying for a free Dun & Bradstreet Google Developer account in my market, how should I proceed?

All markets are obliged to offer the 30-day free service, however some markets may choose to promote a paid-for, expedited service. If you are unable to request or locate the 30-day free service, follow the “contact us” guide for the market which you are registering a DUNS number:

Americas

Europe

Middle East & Africa

Asia Pacific

As an organization we have multiple phone numbers and email addresses that could be used for verification. Which ones should we use and how will verification work?

For verifying phone numbers:

Google will send a 6-digit code, via text or automated voice call, to the phone number you provide for verification purposes. Any phone number from within the organization may be used as long as the person verifying it is able to receive texts or voice calls. You can find more information in this Help Center article.

For verifying email addresses:

Google will send an email to confirm verification, and may in future send important mandatory messages about your account or app status. Any email address from within the organization can be used, but it should be monitored by an appropriate point of contact in the organization.

When I enter my D-U-N-S number I get the error "We couldn't match the D-U-N-S number and the address that you provided. Double-check your D-U-N-S number and the address that you registered with Dun & Bradstreet, then try again."

Please make sure that the address on your D-U-N-S record is correct and complete. If you made any corrections to your address in Play Console immediately prior to seeing this error, these corrections need to be submitted to Dun & Bradstreet, and you will need to retry once the update in Dun & Bradstreet has been implemented to Google (up to 5 business day from the end of Dun & Bradstreet's processing).

If you still encounter the same error, you may fill out the verification issues form and our support team will assist. Please provide as much detail as possible when completing the form.

When I enter my D-U-N-S number I get the error "The address information you provided does not match the business information registered with Dun & Bradstreet."

Please create a new payments profile when prompted for one, rather than using an existing payments profile.

When I enter my D-U-N-S number I get the error "We couldn't look up your D-U-N-S number. Try again."

Double check that you entered the number exactly as shown on Dun & Bradstreet.

My organization is based in Mongolia, which is not supported by Dun & Bradstreet. What should I do?

You may complete and submit the verification issues form and our support team will assist. You will need to provide documents to verify your organization's legal address.

Is it mandatory for a government organization to submit a D-U-N-S number?

Be advised that all organizations should be able to apply for a DUNS number for free from Dun & Bradstreet via the official Dun & Bradtsreet website. We highly encourage all organizations (including government organizations) to get a DUNS number. If there is a need to critically publish an app and you're unable to provide a DUNS number, you may complete and submit the verification issues form to submit a request for an exception.

Why do I have to provide a publically available address and phone number?

If you are signing up as an organization, all organization accounts on Google Play must have a phone number, address, and website available to users as part of the July 2023 policy announcement. You can find more information about these requirements in this Help Center article.

Can I verify my developer identity if I am under the age of 18?

No. You must be at least the age of 18 to register as a developer on Google Play. Please note that account ownership can’t be transferred. If the wrong account owner has been verified, a new account must be created and verified with the correct information.

[EEA developers only] Can I obscure some details when providing the documents required for verification (for example, obscuring the photo or any other details on the document provided)?

No. European law requires that payment providers take steps to verify the identities of their customers. Google Payments Ireland Ltd is a regulated payments firm and has obligations under the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive. It has designed procedures to comply with those requirements while protecting and respecting the confidentiality of your personal information (please see our Privacy Policy for reference) as well as to ensure that Google services are being used properly and in accordance with Terms of Service.

[Japan developers only] What documentation is needed to fulfill the requirements of Japanese local Japanese governments or administrative agencies?

Developers in Japan will need to submit PDF files showing:

The application screen for developer account creation with the official seal (Kouin) affixed to the printout.
The screen displaying the corporation number on the Japan National Tax Agency's website (https://www.houjin-bangou.nta.go.jp/), with the official seal (Kouin) affixed to the both printouts.

Developers will be expected to provide a name, address, telephone number, a user-facing phone number, and name and date of birth of the representative at the time of verification.

Do I need to provide a D-U-N-S number for an enterprise account?

If you have a free enterprise account to publish apps internally then you do not need to provide a DUNS number to publish your apps. If you have a paid enterprise account then one would be required due to apps being eligible to be published externally to users.

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