How to Connect Your Google Developer Account to the BuddyBoss App

Introduction

Connecting your Google Developer account to the BuddyBoss App is essential for managing your Android app’s in-app products and streamlining the publishing process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to connect Google Developer account to BuddyBoss, enabling you to synchronize in-app products and manage your app efficiently.

Tutorial Video

Creating your App

1. Navigating Google Cloud Console, click on the Create App button.

2. Fill out the App name and Default language. Select App then select if it’s a Free or paid app. 

3. Scroll down to tick the Developer Program Policies and US report laws options. Now, hit the Create App button. 

Creating Your Google Cloud Project and Service Account

4. Navigate to Google Cloud Console and sign in with your Google account.
   
5. Click the project at the top and select NEW PROJECT.

6. Enter a Project Name, choose your Organization and Location, then click Create.
   
7. Ensure your new project is selected in the header dropdown.
   
8. From the sidebar, go to APIs & Services > Enable API & Services.

9. Click the Library.

10. Search for Google Play Android Developer API.

11. Click ENABLE.

12. Click APIs & Services > Credentials, then click Create Credentials > Service Account.

13. Enter a Service account name (e.g., “BuddyBoss App Integration”) and click Create and Continue.

14. Under Select a role, choose Basic > Owner.

15. Then click Continue and Done.

16. In the Service Accounts list, click the pencil icon next to your new account.

17. Go to the Keys tab.

18. Select Add Key > Create New Key.

19. Choose JSON and click Create the .json file downloads automatically. Store it securely (it can only be downloaded once).

20. Copy the Service account email from the list; you’ll use this in the Play Console.

Granting Play Console Permissions to the Service Account

1. Navigate to Google Play Console and Go to Play Console Button.

2. From the left sidebar, select Users and permissions.

3. Click Invite new users.

4. Paste the Service account email into the Email address.
   
5. Under App permissions, click Add app, select your app, and click Apply.

6. For full access, select Admin under Account permissions (or tick only the scopes you need), then click Invite user.

7. Confirm by clicking Send invite in the popup.

8. Verify the service account appears with status Active in your users list.

Uploading Your Service Account Key in BuddyBoss App

1. In WordPress, go to BuddyBoss App > Configure > Android Settings.
   
2. Click Upload File, select the downloaded .json key file, and click Connect Account.

3. A green Connected indicator confirms your BuddyBoss App is now linked to your Google Developer account.

4. account. 

Setting Up Internal Testing for Your Android App

Navigating to Internal Testing

1. In the Google Play Console, go to your Home page and select your app.
   
2. From the sidebar, click Testing > Internal testing.
   
3. Click Create new track if you haven’t already, then:
   
   • Select testers by adding email addresses or Google Groups.
     
   • Provide a Feedback URL or email address for testers to submit bug reports.

4. Click Save.
   

Creating a New Release

1. Still under Internal testing, click Create new release.

2. Under App signing, click Choose signing key.

3. Select Use Google-generated key, then confirm.
   
   • You’ll see a notification that your releases will be signed by Google Play.

Requesting an AAB Build from BuddyBoss

1. In WordPress, go to BuddyBoss App > Build.
   
2. Click Request Build.

3. Tick Android as the platform and Release App as the build type.

4. Click Next, then Send Build Request.

5. Monitor your request under Build History, this usually completes in 5–10 minutes.

Uploading the AAB to the Play Console

1. In the Play Console’s Create release screen, scroll to App bundles and click Upload.

2. Download the AAB from your BuddyBoss Build History by clicking Upload to Google Play Console and selecting Download build.
   
3. Choose the downloaded .aab file (required for new submissions since August 2021).
   
4. Wait for the upload to complete.
   
5. This is how your uploaded App bundle will look. 

Adding Release Notes and Completing Declarations

1. Scroll down to Release notes, enter a brief description of changes or features.

2. Click Next.
   
3. If you encounter a metadata error, click Complete declaration.

4. On the Advertising ID page, answer Yes to “Does your app use advertising ID?” and click Save.

5. Return and click Save again to finalize the release.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Q: My service account invite isn’t accepted in Play Console.
A: Check that the email is correct, resend the invitation, and ensure Admin privileges in the Play Console.

Q: Uploading the JSON file fails in WordPress.
A: Verify you’re using the correct .json key file, clear your browser cache, or try another browser.

Q: I don’t see the Internal testing option.
A: Ensure you’ve created at least one release in the Internal testing track; then the option appears in the sidebar.