How to get started with Play Console

This article describes how to create and set up your Play Console developer account, and provides links to other resources that you may find helpful as you get started.

Register for a Google Play Developer account

Follow the steps below to create and set up your Play Console developer account, so you can begin to publish Android apps on Google Play.

Step 1: Sign up for a Play Console developer account

You must be at least 18 years of age to sign up for a Google Play Developer account.

Using your Google Account, sign up for a Play Console developer account.
Once you have an account, you can use Play Console to publish and manage your apps.

Step 2: Accept the Developer Distribution Agreement

During the signup process, you'll need to review and accept the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement.

Step 3: Pay registration fee

There is a US$25 one-time registration fee that you can pay with the following credit or debit cards:

MasterCard
Visa
American Express
Discover (the U.S. only)
Visa Electron (Outside of the U.S. only)

Note: Prepaid cards are not accepted. The types of cards accepted may vary by location.

Step 4: Choose a developer account type

Choose which account type you want to create. Google Play offers two developer account types, Personal and Organization, which you can learn more about here.

Note: Developers with personal developer accounts must meet certain app testing requirements before they can distribute their app on Google Play. For more information, go to (Personal accounts only) Step 6: Verify your developer identity information.

Step 5: Verify your developer identity information

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep Google Play a safe and trusted platform, you must complete the verifications described on this page when setting up your Play Console developer account. This helps us to better understand developers and help prevent bad actors from distributing malware. Verification requirements vary based on the account type you selected in Step 4.

You can add more account information after you've created your account.

Note: To process your request for a Play Developer account you may be asked for a valid government ID and a credit card, both under your legal name. If this information is determined to be invalid, your registration fee will not be refunded.

(Personal accounts only) Step 6: Meet testing requirements and device verification requirements

Developers with personal accounts created after November 13, 2023, must meet specific testing requirements before they can make their app available on Google Play. Read this Help Center article to learn more.

Starting in early 2024, developers with new personal accounts will be required to verify that they have access to an Android device using the Play Console mobile app before they can make their app available on Google Play. Read this Help Center article to learn more.

Develop Android apps

You can learn how to design, develop, and distribute your Android apps on Google through the helpful links below:

Popular features

For more information on some of the most popular features, click the links below:

What's new

Here are some popular resources with the latest news and tips on developing Android apps and games for Google Play.

Check your Inbox. Anything you need to know about Google Play and your app is shown here. Messages are tailored to you and sorted by priority, so you never miss what's important.
Read the latest news and posts about Android and Google Play on the Android Developers blog.
Find tips, trends, and industry insights on the Google Play Apps & Games Medium blog.

Troubleshoot

Need help publishing apps on Google Play? Here are some pages that you can visit for additional support:

Note: Our support team can help you use Play Console but can't provide technical or development support.

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