How to Publish an App on Google Play for the First Time
The whole journey for a first app: account, setup, closed testing, production access and release.
Read the guide →Google Play Developer Account Verification: A Simple Guide
Quick answer Developer verification means proving who you are to Google. Use accurate legal details, keep them consistent across your account, and finish verification before you start your closed test.
Before you can publish anything on Google Play, you need a developer account that Google has verified. Choosing the right account type and entering accurate details saves you problems later. This guide covers what you need to prepare and what happens after.
Should you choose a personal or organization account?
Google offers two account types: Personal and Organization. According to Google's Play Console Help page, organization registration is required for financial services apps, health apps, apps approved to use the VpnService class and government apps.
Information you need
- Your legal name and address.
- A contact email address and phone number.
- The developer email and phone number shown on Google Play, where applicable.
- Payment methods, where applicable, and a linked Google payment profile.
- Organizations only: a D-U-N-S number, with account information that is up to date and matches your Dun & Bradstreet profile.
Google says verified information is shown on Google Play to help users trust developers, so use details you are happy to display.
Tips to avoid problems
- Enter your legal details exactly as they appear on your official records.
- Use an email and phone number you can access, because Google may contact you.
- Follow the prompts in Play Console and keep your account information up to date.
- Before you submit an app, make sure your metadata is accurate, you have a privacy policy and the Data safety section is complete. See our Data safety guide.
After verification: what comes next
Once your account is ready, create your app. If your personal account was created after November 13, 2023, you must run a closed test with at least 12 testers opted in for 14 days before you can apply for production. Our closed testing requirements checklist lists every step, and the first-time publishing guide covers the whole path.
Pre-registration checklist
- Decide the account typeCheck whether your app type requires an organization account. If you are unsure, read the Play Console Help page linked above.
- Gather your detailsLegal name, address, email, phone number and, for organizations, your D-U-N-S number.
- Set up your payment profileGoogle says a linked Google payment profile is part of the required information.
- Prepare your app materialsAccurate metadata, a privacy policy, a completed Data safety section and demo account details if your app has a login.
- Plan your testingIf your personal account is new, plan 14 days of closed testing with at least 12 testers.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using details that do not match your official records.
- Choosing a personal account for an app type that needs an organization account.
- Waiting until the last minute to prepare a privacy policy.
- Starting the closed test late. The 14 days are the longest part of the process, so begin as soon as your build is ready.
Part of a series: this article is one chapter of Google Play Closed Testing: The Complete Guide. Start there for the full roadmap from setup to production.
A detail checklist before you register
| Detail | Tip |
|---|---|
| Legal name | Match your government ID exactly, including spelling |
| Address | Use a current, verifiable address |
| Contact email | One you check daily, because Google writes there |
| Phone number | Reachable for verification |
| Payment method | Name matches the account holder |
After verification
Once verified, set up your app and start your closed test early. See how to publish your first app and the closed testing requirements. A clean, consistent account also helps you avoid enforcement problems; see what to do if an account is terminated.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose a personal or an organization account?
Google requires an organization account for some app types, such as financial services, health apps, apps approved to use the VpnService class and government apps. Otherwise, choose the account type that fits who owns the app.
What does an organization account need?
A D-U-N-S number, and the account information must be up to date and match your Dun & Bradstreet profile.
Is my developer information public?
Google says verified information will be shown on Google Play to help users build trust and confidence in developers.
Does a new personal account also need a closed test?
Yes. Personal accounts created after November 13, 2023 must run a closed test with at least 12 testers opted in for 14 days before applying for production access.
