Before you start
- A dedicated Google Account with 2-Step Verification turned on. Don't share it with anyone.
- Identity documents: a government ID for personal accounts; company details and a D-U-N-S number for organization accounts.
- A payment card for the US$25 fee — Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit or debit cards. Prepaid cards are not accepted.
- A phone number and email you can verify, and a physical Android phone for device verification.
Personal or organization?
| Personal | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Verification | Your ID | Company details + D-U-N-S |
| Before production | 12 testers for 14 days (new accounts) | Apply after verification |
| Finance, health, VPN, government apps | Not allowed | Required |
Step by step
- Open Play Console sign-up with the Google Account you prepared.
- Choose the account type — personal or organization. It decides your verification and release requirements.
- Fill in the developer profile: developer name, contact email and phone; organizations also add the legal name, address and D-U-N-S number.
- Pay the US$25 registration fee. It is one-time; there is no annual fee.
- Verify your identity by uploading ID or company information and waiting for Google's review.
- Verify your contact email and phone with the codes Google sends.
- Verify an Android device by installing the Play Console app on a real Android phone and signing in.
- Create your app: personal accounts start with a closed test; organization accounts can prepare a production release.
Where people get stuck
- Payment declined: the card doesn't allow international USD payments, the billing address doesn't match the bank's records, or it is a prepaid card.
- Identity verification rejected: blurry photos, a name that doesn't match the profile, or an address that can't be confirmed.
- Organization details don't match D-U-N-S: the legal name and address must match Dun & Bradstreet's record exactly.
- Linked to a terminated account: shared devices, payment methods or identities with a banned account can get a new account terminated too.
FAQ
How much does a Google Play developer account cost?
A one-time US$25 registration fee, with no annual fee, for both personal and organization accounts.
How long does it take to create a Google Play developer account?
Sign-up and payment take minutes and identity verification usually takes a few days. New personal accounts also need a 14-day closed test with at least 12 testers plus a production access review, so plan for two to three weeks or more.
Do I need an Android phone to register?
Yes. New accounts must verify access to a physical Android device by signing in to the Play Console app.
Can someone register the account for me?
Yes — as long as it is registered with your own identity or company details, so the account, verification and payouts are in your name. That is how we work.
Related guides
12 testers for 14 days · Organization accounts · Is buying an account safe? · Google Play account service
Don't want to deal with verification and closed testing yourself? Tell us your situation and launch date.
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