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How to set up a Service Account for automatic Android App updates

Set up a Service Account to enable automatic Android app updates without manual intervention.

We use Service accounts to update your Android app seamlessly.

It’s a secure tool that connects your app on Google Play to bsport system so we can publish updates automatically, without your manual effort.

Since you own the Google Developer Account, you must create this service account — but don’t worry, we’ll walk you through the simple steps below!

👉 You can also watch our step-by-step video tutorial here:

What You Need Before You Start

Before starting, make sure you have:

✔ Access to Google Cloud Console

✔ Admin rights to your Google Developer Account (GDA)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create a Google Cloud Project

  1. Go to the Google Cloud Project creation page.

    ⚠️ Important: Use the exact same Google account as your Developer Account (GDA). Exception: if "Create key" is greyed out in Step 3, see "Create key" is greyed out below.

  2. Create a new project with the following details:

    • Project Name: apps

    • Organization: Select your personal name or your company's name, depending on your account type.

      • Note: If you are using a business email that is not yet linked to an organization, you will need to create a new project here and may need to delete any previous, incorrectly-associated projects.

    • Location: Select the appropriate location for your organization, if prompted.

  3. Click Create.

  4. Once created, double-check that this new apps project is selected in the project selector at the top of the console before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Create the Service Account

  1. Go to the Google Cloud → Service Accounts section. Or go via: Navigation menu → IAM & Admin → Service Accounts

  2. Click Create Service Account

  3. Name it: fastlane_[COMPANYNAME]

  4. Copy the service account email (it will look like: fastlane_[COMPANYNAME]@apps.iam.gserviceaccount.com)

    📩 Keep this to send to us later by email.

  5. Click on Done.
    ​

Step 3: Create & Download the JSON Key file

  1. On the right of your new service account, click on the three dots ⋮

    → Click on Manage Keys

  2. You’ll be redirected to a new page. Click on Add Key → Create New Key

  3. Choose JSON and click on create, which will download the file to your computer..

  4. No need to open the file.
    📩 Keep this file to send to us later by email.

💡 If there’s an issue with the JSON key

Please refer to the video tutorial below

Step 4: Create the API Key

  1. In Google Cloud, go to the Credentials section. Or via: Navigation menu → APIs & Services → Credentials

  2. Click Create Credentials → API Key

  3. A key will be generated → click the copy icon.
    📩 Keep this to send to us later by email.

Step 5: Google API Enablement

Note: Step 5 is not included in the video tutorial, but it is mandatory — don’t forget to complete it!

⚠️ Make sure you are in the correct Google Cloud project created in Step 1

  1. Navigate to Google Cloud → Enabled APIs & Services

  2. Click Enable for each API

Before:

After:

💡 "Create key" is greyed out or I get an organisation policy error

If your Google account uses your company domain (Google Workspace), Google may block key creation with the policy disableServiceAccountKeyCreation. Changing this policy is complicated and often fails. Use this simple workaround instead:

  1. Create a new free Gmail account, for example yourstudiofastlane@gmail.com.

  2. Log in to Google Cloud with this Gmail account and do Steps 1 to 5 with it.

  3. In Google Play Console › Users and permissions, invite this Gmail address as Admin.

  4. Continue with Step 6.

Step 6: Final Check & Send

Send us the following by replying in your branded app conversation with our team:

  1. Service account email (from Step 2)

  2. JSON key file (from Step 3)

  3. API key (from Step 4)

  4. Google Cloud API Activation (from Step 5), completed (YES/NO)? (YES/NO)

🔒 How to send it safely

  • Reply in your existing branded app conversation with our team. Please don’t email these details to support@ or start a new conversation.

  • Add the JSON key file as an attachment. Don’t open it or copy its content into the message.

  • Never share these keys with anyone else or post them anywhere else.

  • Once we have saved your keys securely, we delete them from the conversation.

🎉 That’s It!

You’ve now set up your Service Account.

💬 Need Help?

If you run into a technical issue, email us at: support@bsport.io

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