Create a Firebase Cloud Messaging service
Generate the JSON key file required to configure Android push notifications in Appcues
Table of Contents
Android push notifications require a Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) service account and its associated JSON key file. This guide walks through creating both in the Firebase and Google Cloud consoles.
Steps
- Open your project in the Firebase console and go to Cloud Messaging.
- Click the Manage Service Accounts link. You'll be redirected to the Google Cloud console (you may need to log in again).

- On the Service Accounts tab, click Create Service Account.

- Enter a name for the service account. The description is optional. Click Create and Continue.

- Under Role, select Firebase Cloud Messaging API Admin. Click Continue, then Done.

- The new service account appears in the list. Click on it (or select it and click Manage Access).

- Go to the Keys tab, click Add Key > Create new key.
- Select JSON and click Create. A JSON file downloads to your machine.
This JSON file is the private key you'll upload in Appcues when configuring push notification settings. Store it securely — it grants access to your Firebase messaging service.
If the service account already exists
If your project already has a service account with the Firebase Cloud Messaging API Admin role, you don't need to create a new one. Go to the existing service account's Keys tab and generate a new JSON key if you don't have one.
