The first step to setting up your Activate white-label app is to get your app set up on the Google Play store. From there, you can either host the app in the VTS app store (recommended), or create your own Google Play Store account and assign VTS access as an Admin. Either way, VTS will be there to help!
This article will cover setting up an account in the Google Play store and creating a placeholder app. If you want to host your app in the VTS store, or enable access in an existing account, please see this article.
Hosting your app in the VTS Play Store
If your organization chooses to host your Activate White-label app in the VTS Google Play Store, then your VTS implementation team will work with you to create your branded app.
All you will need to do is provide VTS with your branding information, including images, logos, color palettes, and icons - your VTS team will let you know if they need anything else.
If you choose to list your app in the VTS Play Store, we take care of the maintenance of our store with no further action on your part.
Setting up Google Play Store account
If you choose to host your Activate white-label in your own Google Play Store, you will need to create a Google Developer account. Setting up your account's quick and easy when you have your information ready. Check out the prerequisites below to get prepared and save some time.
❗️Important note on Authorization❗️
The person setting this up for your organization must have the legal authority to bind your organization to legal agreements. They should be the organization's owner or founder, an executive team member, a senior project lead, or an employee with legal authority granted to them by a senior employee.
❗️Important note on Google Accounts❗️
When selecting a Google account to manage your Play Store presence, we strongly recommend using a corporate email rather than a personal one. To ensure long-term access and security, the account should meet these three criteria:
- Avoid accounts tied to a specific individual. Instead, use a static, shared, or role-based address such as it-admin@yourcompany.com or create a dedicated account such as app-management@yourcompany.com. This prevents losing access to the app if a specific employee leaves the organization.
- The login credentials should be accessible to all team members responsible for managing the application.
- This account will receive critical billing notifications, policy updates, and mandatory service reminders from Google. Ensure it is checked regularly to avoid service interruptions.
1. Prerequisites
See here for official Google Play console documentation on creating a developer account.
- Developer name; this can be different from your legal name
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As per your linked Google Payments profile:
- D-U-N-S number (This verifies your organization's identity and legal entity status. This process can take up to 30 business days if you don't have a D-U-N-S number—you can expedite for a fee with Dun & Bradstreet. If you're not sure what your D-U-N-S number is, you can look it up for free.)
- Organization name
- Organization address
- Organization phone number
- Organization website
- Contact name
- Contact email address, for Google to contact you
- Contact phone number, for Google to contact you
- Developer email address, shown as part of your developer profile on Google Play
- Developer phone number, shown as part of your developer profile on Google Play
2. Set up Google Play Store Developer Account
- Open your web browser and navigate to the official Google Play Console registration page.
- Log in with the Google Account you want to associate with your developer account. Again, this should be a corporate email, not personal, and we highly recommend this email be shared or role-based, not tied to an individual employee.
- Select "An organization or business" (Organization). (Do not register as a personal account)
- Review and agree to the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement.
- Pay the registration fee of $25 USD. This fee is non-refundable and gives you lifetime access to the Play Console.
3. Complete account registration
- Provide the required information, including your developer name and contact information.
- Verify your identity and provide your D-U-N-S number.
- Submit for approval. Google will review your registration and documents. Account approval can take up to 48 hours.
Once your account is set up, this account will become the Account Owner. You are responsible for:
- Storing your account owner credentials safely. If these credentials are lost, many of the important tasks that only account owners can do cannot be accomplished anymore. It is very important to store these credentials safely and provide access to Customer organization.
- Keeping the account up-to-date (typically by agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions).
- Processing VTS requests to account owners.
4. Enable VTS access to your account
Congratulations! You have successfully set up your Google Play Store account. You can now proceed to enabling VTS access to your account.
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***IMPORTANT**** As this developer account belongs to your organization, YOU are responsible for maintaining it, which includes agreeing to license updates and making sure the annual subscription is paid for. VTS cannot run your Activate app for you if you do not maintain your developer account. |
FAQs
What's a white-label app?
A white-label's any app that's built from a standard design.
Building, designing, and maintaining an app from the ground up is a pretty complicated and expensive process. By using a universal template, app developers like VTS can start with a configurable base design, then customize your app to meet your unique needs.
Our organization has lots of different apps, but we only want to give you access to Activate. Can we do that?
Absolutely! Using the permission configurations in the Google Play Store, you can choose to give us access to only certain apps. (This will require some additional steps on your part though.)
How do I know I've completed the process?
You'll get a confirmation email from Google once you're done, and we’ll be able to publish your app on your behalf under your own business name. If you haven't received that email, reach out to your dedicated VTS contact for help.
Why do I have to register as a legal entity?
This is a Google requirement if you are creating an app as an organization instead of as an personal developer. To enroll in the Developer program and launch an app, your business has to register with Dun & Bradstreet as a corporation, LLC, or other type of legal entity— after that, you'll mark yourself as a Company/Organization when you register with Google.
Do I still have to complete these requirements if I find a different app developer?
Yes. These are universal rules issued by Google that apply to all businesses and developers who want to operate on the Google Play Store.
Will there be any difference or lag in the app while I'm working on this? Will clients notice a change?
Nope! Clients shouldn't notice a thing.
I need multiple apps. Do I need a developer account for each one?
No, you'll only need a single developer account—whether you’re planning on a single app across your portfolio or multiple unique apps. Each app can use your Google developer account.
What if my company has multiple apps on our Developer Account?
You can give VTS access to specific apps with the role App Manager. VTS needs particular permissions within this role, so coordinate a call with your Implementation manager to walk through the process.
Note that if you opt to limit App Manager access for VTS, you will need to take on more responsibility for maintaining your app store, such as generating keys.
How long does it take to get a DUNS number?
If you've registered as a legal entity in the past, then it's possible a D-U-N-S number's already been assigned to you. The number's free to acquire and takes just a few minutes to look up through the Dun & Bradstreet website.
If you couldn't find your D-U-N-S number and you've completed all the prior steps in this article, then you'll need to register your business with Dun & Bradstreet. Click here to visit the D-U-N-S registration website and get started. This process typically takes 30 days, but you can expedite it to a week by paying an expedition fee.
Do I have to create a new Google Account?
Not necessarily, but we recommend using one tied to your business rather than a personal account.
What if I need to move an app from one account to another?
Check with your implementation team on how to proceed and refer to the Google Play Transaction ID (information here). You can find this ID on your email receipt or through Google Payments.
Who do I contact for help?
VTS is here to guide you every step of the way. For questions specific to your D-U-N-S number, here’s a few resources:
- Dun & Bradstreet Customer Support: For questions concerning D-U-N-S lookup, registration, and related questions.
- Google Support: For questions concerning your Google account information, or registering with the Developer program. Click here to contact an Apple Developer.
What's the cost?
To run a Google Play developer account, there is a one-time registration fee of US$25. There are no recurring annual or monthly fees for the account itself.
What if our building(s) change ownership after launch?
If your building is sold or changes ownership, VTS will do one of two things:
- If the contract's being continued with VTS, we'll transfer the app to a new apple developer account that's owned by the new owners of the building(s).
- If you're leaving VTS contracted services, we'll remove your app from the app store.
What happens if I remove VTS access in the Developer Account?
If we don't have access to your Google Developer Account, we can't publish your app. If we're removed from access to your Google Developer Account, we can't publish updates, and your app will stay on the last version we had access to.
Can the company that manages the property be the owner of the Google Developer Account?
Sure, as long as there's a direct contractual relationship between the two parties.
How do I exit the beta program?
If you participated in our beta program for Google Play apps, you might need to remove the beta version from Google Play. If you notice two apps available in the store, you can remove the beta version so only the public version of your white-label is available for download:
- Uninstall the internal testing app through the Play Store app on your Android device.
- Go to the internal tester URL in your preferred browser. The URL will follow this format: https://play.google.com/apps/internaltest/[some-numeric-id]. The ID was a number sent by email when you applied for the beta program—if you can't find it, reach out to VTS and we'll help you locate the number.
- Click the LEAVE THE PROGRAM button at the bottom.
- Close the Play Store app and reopen it. You should see the production app now.