Before you start (have these ready)
A Google/Gmail account you want tied to the Play Console
A credit/debit card to pay the one-time $25 USD registration fee (prepaid cards typically won’t work)
A phone that can receive SMS/phone verification codes (one-time password)
If signing up as an Organization:
Your legal business name + legal address
A D-U-N-S number (commonly used for org verification)
Organization registration document(s) and a government-issued photo ID for an authorized representative
Which account type should I pick?
Pick Organization if you can provide the organization verification info/documents—your org name/address can display on Google Play.
Pick Individual if you’re a sole proprietor and can’t meet org documentation requirements (your legal name/country may display).
Step-by-step: Create the Play Console account
1) Sign in (or create) the Google account
Log into the Google account you want to own the developer account.
Use an account you expect to keep long-term (don’t use a shared login if possible).
2) Go to Google Play Console signup
Go to the Google Play Console “Get started” page.
Google Play Console (Developer Account Signup):
https://play.google.com/console/signup
Click the option to Create account / Get started.
3) Accept the developer terms
Review the Play Console / Developer terms.
Accept the terms to continue.
4) Pay the one-time registration fee
Complete the $25 USD one-time payment.
After successful payment, your Play Console account is created.
5) Choose your developer account type
Google will ask you to select an account type:
Individual (published under your legal name + country)
Organization (published under your organization’s name + address—recommended if you qualify)
This “account type” choice matters for what displays on Google Play and what you must verify.
6) Complete your Developer Profile (store-facing info)
In Play Console, go to your Developer account / Developer profile section.
Add or confirm:
Developer name (the “brand” name shown on Google Play)
Developer email (public contact)
Developer website (optional but common)
Developer phone (optional/public)
7) Complete required verification (this is important)
Google may require verification for new accounts. In general, expect:
For Organization accounts, you’ll provide:
Legal name and legal address
A private contact email + phone number (verified by one-time password)
Documents:
Organization registration document(s)
Government-issued photo ID for an authorized representative
Follow the prompts inside Play Console when verification becomes available for your account.
8) Set up Payments (only if you’ll sell paid apps / subscriptions / IAP)
If you plan to charge money in Google Play:
In Play Console, go to Payments / Setup / Merchant (wording varies).
Create or link a payments profile as instructed.
Ensure the business details match what you used for verification (especially for org accounts).
9) Add team members (optional, but recommended)
If others will manage the app:
Go to Users and permissions.
Invite users by email and assign "Admin" role
jackie@pivotradio.com (Jackie Parks)
appbuilder.submissions@gmail.com (Pivot Publishing Team)
10) Confirm Setup
At this point, your Google Play Developer account setup is complete.
Next Steps:
If working with Envisionwise / Pivot Radio:
Our team will handle the process of creating and publishing your new mobile app in the Google Play Store.
If you are managing the app independently:
You can now begin setting up your first app by:Creating a new app entry in the Play Console
Uploading your App Bundle (.AAB)
Completing the store listing information
Filling out required content declarations and policies
Running testing (internal, closed, or open testing)
Submitting the app for production rollout
Note: These steps are part of the app publishing process and are separate from the initial developer account setup.