Google (Android and Android TV)

Setting Up Your Google Play Developer Account

This guide will walk you through the steps to set up your Google Developer account which will allow you to have an entirely white-labeled Android and Android TV app that is under your brand's name only.

Complete these steps only if you've purchased an Android and/or Android TV app.

1. Create a Google Account

If you already use GMail or other G-Suite services, you most likely have your own Google account. If not, you will be able to create one here.

It is recommended to create a new Google account solely associated to your developer profile. This account should not be specific to an individual and instead should be associated to your organization.

2. Enroll for a Developer Account

Once you have your Google account, you will need to enroll for a developer account with Google. Be sure that you are logged in with the Google account you intend to use before starting this process.

When presented with the choice for choosing an account type, select " Organization." Registering as an organization will require you to insert the following information:

  • Developer Name (this can be different from your legal business name)
  • As per your linked Google Payments profile (see Step #6 for more information):
    • D-U-N-S number 
      • What’s a D-U-N-S Number? 
        • A D-U-N-S number is a unique nine-digit number assigned to you and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet. While many types of businesses can receive a D-U-N-S Number, your business must be recognized as a legal entity (ex: a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company) to enter into the legal terms and obligations of Google Developer Program agreements.
        • If you are not sure if you already have been given a D-U-N-S number, you can utilize their search look-up tool. If you have an Apple application with Vimeo OTT, you likely already have one or you are in the process of creating one! 
        • If you are not listed, you’ll need to submit your information to Dun & Bradstreet to receive a new D-U-N-S number. When you are prompted to select the primary reason for your registration, choose the relevant option from the available drop-down menu. As mentioned above, you are able to choose "I'm an Apple developer" if you also have an Apple application within your Vimeo OTT agreement.
    • Organization Name 
    • Organization Address
  • Organization Phone Number
  • Organization Website
  • Contact Name
  • Contact Email Address (will need to be verified with Google)
  • Contact Phone Number (will need to be verified with Google)
  • Developer Email Address (different from contact email address and will need to be verified with Google)
  • Developer Phone Number (different from contact number and will need to be verified with Google)

Your developer name, physical business email address, and phone number will appear on Google Play to users and can be changed any time. 

3. Invite Vimeo to your Google Developer account

After you have created a developer account, you will need to invite Vimeo to your account. This gives Vimeo permission to publish apps on your behalf.

    a. Open your Google Developer Play Console in a new incognito or private web browser

    b. In the left-hand navigation menu, select Users and permissions

    c. On the Users and permissions page, under the Users tab, select 3 dots icon > Invite new users and set the following user details and permissions:

    i. Email address = apps@vhx.tv

    ii. Set access expiry date box should be unchecked

    iii. Click the Account Permissions tab > check the Admin (all permissions) box

    d. Select Invite user > Send invite

    Once you finish inviting apps@vhx.tv to your Google Play developer account, please follow the below steps to invite our Enterprise Support team:

    e. Select 3 dots icon > Invite new users and set the following user details and permissions:

    i. Email address = cs-ott-apps@vimeo.com

    ii. Set access expiry date box should be unchecked

    iii. Click the Account Permissions tab and check the following four permissions:

    ✓ View app information and download bulk reports (read-only)
    ✓ View app quality information (read-only)
    ✓ Manage orders and subscriptions
    ✓ Reply to reviews

    f. Select Invite user > Send invite

4. Add a physical address

If you will be offering in-app subscriptions then you will need to enter the mailing address for your business in the Account Details section of the Google Play Developer Console.

a. Go to your Developer Console and click on "Developer Page."

b. Add your address to the Physical Address field.

c. Click Save.

5. Add a Vimeo Service Account

Next, you will need to create credentials so that Vimeo can automatically publish and update your app. 

a. While logged-in to your Google Play developer account, navigate to Google's Cloud dashboard.

b. Within this new dashboard, you should see values listed against the fields indicated in the blue box below which identify your Google Play enrollment.

c. Select the " IAM & Admin" option under the "Quick Access" dashboard icons, indicated by the red box below.

c. Within the left-side menu, select the " Service Accounts" option.

d. Click " + Create Service Account' in the top bar.

e. On the next screen, input the " Service account name" as "vhx." Skip over the "Service account description" field. Then, select "Create."

    

f.  Within Step 2, " Grant this service account access to project,"  please select the role Project --> Owner.

g. Skip Step 3 and select "Done."

h. Your newly created service account should now be listed on the " Service Accounts" page. Select the checkbox next to your the newly listed "vhx-[XXXXX....]" key. From there, select the 3 dots icon and then select "Manage Keys"

i. On the next screen, select "Add Key" → "Create New Key"

 - Ensure the "JSON" option is selected. Then, select "Create."

- A JSON file will be downloaded onto your computer and click on "Close." You must email this JSON file to your Account / Implementation Manager.

j. Now that you have successfully created your Google service account, you need to grant it "Admin" permissions. To do so:

- While keeping the Google Cloud console open, navigate back to your Google Play developer console in a separate browser tab.

- Select the " Users and Permissions" option within your Google Play developer account.

- On this page, select the 3 dots icon on the right side of the page and select Invite new users.

- On the Invite user screen:

- Email address = Input the email address that was created when generating your service account. It's why we recommend leaving the Google Cloud console open in a separate browser tab! 

- As a reminder, it will be listed as " vhx-[XXXXX.....]" within the Google Cloud console. Your service account may not exactly mimic the formatting of the below screenshot but it will be comparable.

- Leave the Set access expiry date unchecked

- Under Account permissions, ensure the Admin (all permissions) box is checked.

- Select Invite User > Send invite

    6. Ensure the Google Publishing API is Enabled

    Now that you've successfully created a Google Service Account, we need to ensure your Google Cloud Project has proper permissions. There is a chance that this step is automatically completed for you, which would be great! If so, feel free to skip down to the final Step #7 after confirming the configuration below.

    - Navigate back to Google's Cloud dashboard. You should still be logged-in to the Cloud dashboard as the Account Owner from Step #5 above. 

    - In the drop-down menu in the top-left, ensure that your recently created OTT project is selected. This is what you would have created when establishing your Google Play developer account.

    - When you have your project selected, choose the " Cloud overview" menu option. From there, select "APIs & Services," highlighted by the red box below. You may need to scroll down this menu and select "More Products" if you don't see the option straight away.




    - Within the " APIs & Services" menu, select "Enabled APIs & Services" from the left-side navigation menu.

    - Select the " + Enable APIs and Services" option.

    - In the search bar that appears type in " Google Play Android Developer."

    - Lastly, select " Enable"

    7. Enroll in Google Payments Center

    Only for apps with paid subscriptions. If your content is free, this step is not required.

    If you will be offering paid subscriptions within your app then you will need to enroll in the Google Payments Merchant Center. Here you'll connect your bank account. This cannot be changed once it is set up, so make sure you’re all set with your bank!

    a. Open your Developer Console > Setup > Payments profile

    b. Click on “Create payments profile" 

    c. Fill out the form entirely with the required information

    d. The “Customer Service Email” field is required. You may use “ottsupport@vimeo.com” or your own. All the apps will point to ottsupport@vimeo.com

    e. Be sure to use a recognizable name for “Credit Card Statement Name” - something that matches the name of your app so your customers won’t be confused when they get their credit card statements.

    f. Insert your D-U-N-S number

    g. Click Submit. 

    NOTE: Vimeo will not be able to see this section due to security and privacy reasons. Please confirm with our onboarding team once you are done with the setup process for the Google Payments Center. 

    Once you’re done with all of the above, you’re all set! Vimeo will now have access to your developer account. You can now email accounts@vimeo.com and inform the team that you have completed the setup process for Google.