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Create a Firebase Project | Axero Documentation

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Create a Firebase Project

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Overview

Axero offers white-label iOS and Android apps for clients wanting to enhance their users' mobile experience. This guide provides comprehensive instructions for creating and configuring a Firebase project when setting up white-label mobile applications.

What you'll accomplish:

  • ✅ Create a new Firebase project
  • ✅ Configure Android app settings
  • ✅ Download required configuration files
  • ✅ Set up Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for push notifications

Already have a Firebase project? If your project exists and you only need to move it from the legacy Cloud Messaging API to HTTP v1, skip this guide and follow Configure Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) APIs instead. It covers Steps 9 to 11 below on their own.

Prerequisites:

  • ✅ Google account with access to Firebase Console
  • ✅ Android package name (Bundle ID) for your application
  • ✅ Access to your Axero site's System Properties

Table of Contents

Part 1: Create Firebase Project

Step 1: Access Firebase Console

  1. Navigate to the Firebase Console
  2. Sign in with your Google account if prompted
  3. Click Create a project or Add project

The Firebase console welcome screen, with the Add project tile

Step 2: Configure Project Details

  1. Enter a descriptive name for your Firebase project (e.g., "YourCompany Mobile App")
  2. Review and accept the Firebase Terms of Service
  3. Click Continue

The Add a project dialog, showing the Project name, Project ID and Analytics settings, with the Create project button

Step 3: Configure Google Analytics (Optional)

  1. Choose whether to enable Google Analytics for your project
  2. If enabled, select or create a Google Analytics account
  3. Click Create project
  4. Wait for the project creation process to complete

The Your new project is ready confirmation, with the Continue button

Part 2: Configure Android Application

Step 4: Add Android App to Project

  1. From your Firebase project dashboard, click the Android icon to add an Android app
  2. If you don't see the Android icon, click Add app and select Android

The Firebase project overview, with the Android icon among the Add an app choices

Step 5: Enter App Information

  1. Android package name: Enter the Bundle ID for your application
    • This should match the package name used for both Android and iOS versions
    • Format: com.yourcompany.appname
    • Example: com.axero.mobileapp
  2. App nickname (optional): Enter a friendly name for identification
  3. Debug signing certificate SHA-1 (optional): Leave blank for now
  4. Click Register app

Add Firebase to your Android app, step 1, entering the Android package name and clicking Register app

Part 3: Download Configuration Files

Step 6: Download google-services.json

  1. On the "Add Firebase to your Android app" screen, click Download google-services.json
  2. Save the file to a secure location on your computer
  3. Click Next to continue

Add Firebase to your Android app, step 2, with the Download google-services.json button

Step 7: Submit Configuration File

  1. Submit the downloaded google-services.json file through a private support case
  2. Include the following information in your case:
    • Your site URL
    • The purpose (white-label mobile app setup)
    • Any specific requirements or timeline

The same step 2 screen, with the close button in the top left

Step 8: Complete Firebase Setup

  1. Click Next to skip the SDK setup (handled by Axero)
  2. Click Continue to console to finish the initial setup

The Firebase project overview with the gear menu open on Project settings

Firebase Settings on the General tab, with the Cloud Messaging tab beside it

Important Note

If you missed downloading the google-services.json file during setup, you can retrieve it later:

  1. Go to Project Settings (gear icon in the left sidebar)
  2. Select the General tab
  3. Scroll down to the "Your apps" section
  4. Find your Android app and click google-services.json

The gear menu open on Project settings for an existing Firebase project

Firebase Settings on the General tab, showing project details above the Your apps section

The Your apps section, with the google-services.json download button for the Android app

Part 4: Configure Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)

After creating your Firebase project, you need to configure Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) to enable push notifications.

Step 9: Enable Firebase Cloud Messaging API (V1)

ℹ️ Check First

The FCM API may already be enabled for your project. If you see the Cloud Messaging settings without needing to enable anything, skip to Step 10: Generate Private Key in Firebase.

  1. Access Project Settings
    • In your Firebase project, click the gear icon in the left sidebar
    • Select Project settings
  2. Navigate to Cloud Messaging
    • Click the Cloud Messaging tab
    • Review the current API status

    Firebase Project settings on the Cloud Messaging tab, showing Firebase Cloud Messaging API (V1) marked Disabled

  3. Enable API (if needed)
    • If you see an option to manage the API, click the three dots menu (⋮)
    • Select Manage API in Google Cloud Console

    The same card with the Manage API in Google Cloud Console link highlighted

  4. Complete API Activation
    • In the Google Cloud Console, click Enable
    • Wait for the process to complete (this may take 2-3 minutes)
    • Return to the Firebase Console when finished

Step 10: Generate Private Key in Firebase

To authenticate with the FCM HTTP v1 API, you need to generate a service account private key.

  1. Access Service Accounts
    • In Firebase Project Settings, click the Service accounts tab
    • Review the service account information displayed

    Firebase Project settings on the Service accounts tab, showing the Firebase Admin SDK panel

  2. Generate New Private Key
    • Click Generate new private key
    • A confirmation dialog will appear warning about key security
    • Click Generate key to confirm

    The Service accounts tab with the Generate new private key button highlighted

    The Generate new private key dialog, warning to keep the key confidential, with the Generate key button

  3. Save the JSON File Securely
    • The JSON file will automatically download to your computer
    • Store this file in a secure location
    • Important: This file contains sensitive credentials. Never share it publicly.

🔒 Security Best Practices

  • 🚫 Never commit the JSON file to version control
  • 🚫 Never share the file via email or messaging
  • ✅ Store the file in a secure, encrypted location
  • ✅ Only share specific values through secure channels when needed

Step 11: Configure Axero System Properties

Now you'll extract information from the JSON file and configure your Axero site's system properties to use the new FCM HTTP v1 API.

Access System Properties

  1. Log into your Axero site as an administrator
  2. Navigate to Control Panel > System > System Properties
  3. Keep this page open as you'll be updating multiple properties

Extract Information from JSON File

  1. Open the Downloaded JSON File
    • Open the service account JSON file in a text editor
    • You'll see a structured JSON document with various fields

    The downloaded service account JSON file open in a text editor

  2. Locate the Project ID
    • Find the "project_id" field in the JSON file
    • Copy the value (without quotes)
    • Example: "project_id": "my-firebase-project-12345"

    The same JSON file with the project_id field highlighted

Update System Properties

  1. Update FCM API URL
    • Find the system property: PushNotificationFCMApiUrl
    • Update the value using this format: https://fcm.googleapis.com/v1/projects/[YOUR_PROJECT_ID]/messages:send
    • Replace [YOUR_PROJECT_ID] with the actual project ID you copied from the JSON file
      • Example: https://fcm.googleapis.com/v1/projects/my-firebase-project-12345/messages:send
    • Save the updated property

    The PushNotificationFCMApiUrl system property, with the position of the project id marked inside the URL

  2. Update FCM Email
    • In the JSON file, locate the "client_email" field
    • Copy the email address value
    • Find the system property: PushNotificationFCMEmail
    • Paste the email address as the property value

    The JSON file with the client_email field highlighted

    The PushNotificationFCMEmail system property holding the service account address

  3. Update FCM Private Key
    • In the JSON file, locate the "private_key" field
    • Copy the entire private key value, including:
      • The opening -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----
      • All the key content (multiple lines)
      • The closing -----END PRIVATE KEY-----
      • All \n characters (newlines)
    • Find the system property: PushNotificationFCMPrivateKey
    • Paste the complete private key as the property value

    The JSON file with the private_key field highlighted and a note to copy the entire key

    The PushNotificationFCMPrivateKey system property holding the complete private key

Save and Test Configuration

  1. Save all system property changes
  2. Test push notifications to ensure they're working correctly
  3. Monitor your site's error logs for any FCM-related issues

Configuration Complete!

Your Axero site is now configured to use the modern FCM HTTP v1 API for push notifications.

Next Steps

After completing this setup:

  • ✅ Your Firebase project is ready for white-label mobile app development
  • ✅ Push notifications will continue working with the new FCM API
  • ✅ Your configuration uses the current FCM HTTP v1 API, which replaced the retired legacy API

If you encounter any issues or need assistance with mobile app deployment, please contact Axero support with your Firebase project details.

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