Branded Mobile Distribution Preparation: Android distribution

When preparing to launch the Branded Mobile app for Android, you will need to provide Google provisioning information so that the Igloo Branded Mobile team can prepare the Android app for your organization.

Sections in this article: 

Getting ready

To set up Android distribution, you require:

  • A Google Play Store account
  • Access to your organization's Google Firebase Console account

To set up the account, there may be a low, one-time fee. For more information, see Google Play Console (About) and Google Play Console (Signup).

Checklist of the required information to share with Igloo

As part of setting up the application, you must provide the Igloo Team with the following:

  • google-services.json file
  • FCM Service Account Key (.json file)

The Igloo team uses this information to set up push notifications.

Setting up Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)

By following the steps below, you should be able to provide the Igloo Team with:

  • google-services.json file
  • FCM Service Account Key (.json file)

To set up FCM:

  1. Log in to Google Firebase Console.
  2. Select + Add project.
    1. If prompted, review and accept the Firebase terms.
    2. Enter a project name and select Continue.
    3. Select whether Google Analytics is enabled or disabled.
      • If enabled, select Continue. Select the Google Analytics account to use, followed by Create Project.
      • If disabled, select Create Project.
  3. Select your newly created project to add Firebase to it. 
    1. Select the Android icon.
      Adding Firebase to your app
    2. Configure the following:
      • App package name: Enter com.igloosoftware.branded.mobile.{organization.name}.
      • App Nickname: (Optional) Enter an internal App nickname.
      • Debug signing certificate SHA-1: (Optional) Enter a debug signing certificate SHA-1.
    3. Select Register app.
    4. On the next screen, select Download google-service.json to save this file for the Igloo team. Select Next.
      Downloading the google-services.json file.
    5. For Step 3 in Google, select Next. The Igloo Mobile Team will be responsible for adding the Firebase SDK.
    6. For Step 4 in Google, select Continue to console. You will be redirected to the Project Overview screen of the app you just created.
  4. On the left menu bar under Build, select Authentication. You don't need to enable any authentication, but this step helps to complete some hidden configurations.
    The Authentication page is accessed from the Build menu.
    1. Select Get Started.
      The Authentication page.
    2. Select the Users tab. 
    3. Your screen should resemble the picture below. Do nothing on this screen and proceed to the next step.
      The default Users page.
  5. To generate the FCM Service Account Key's .json file:
    1. Select the cog next to Project Overview, followed by Project settings.Navigating to Project settings.
    2. In Project settings, select the Service Accounts tab. 
      Firebase Service Account Menu
    3. To create an FCM service account key, select Generate New Private Key. If prompted, select Generate Key. The key will be saved as a .json file on your device. 
  6. Share the google-services.json file and FCM Service Account Key's .json file with the Igloo Team. An Igloo Project Manager will provide details on how to share this information.