By Peter Eysermans —

Lessons Learned from a lost Google Play Store account

Mobile app development has unique challenges, particularly when publishing on the Google Play and Apple App stores. Recently, I encountered a situation highlighting the importance of foresight when creating a new app.

The Challenge

A client reached out because their Android app had been removed from the Google Play Store for failing to meet the required minimum SDK version. What seemed like a straightforward fix—updating the SDK version and addressing any resulting deprecations—quickly became complex when we discovered the client no longer had access to the Google Play Store account that owned the app.

The Solution

We had exhausted all straightforward solutions and  utilized every available Google tool to recover the account’s password. We contacted Google Developer Support as a last resort, though I wasn’t expecting much. This experience reminded me of the importance of perseverance in engineering, something I’ve written about before. After several back-and-forth emails with Google support, we were finally provided the primary email address linked to the developer account.

From there, recovering the account and publishing the update became simple. Without our persistence, we could have faced the daunting prospect of republishing the app and potentially losing our entire user base.

Lessons learned

  • Avoid Personal Email Registrations: Ensure founders and employees don't use personal email addresses to register crucial services. This is especially important for startups in their early stages.
  • Use General Email Addresses: Register services using a general email like "[email protected]" and store credentials in a reputable password manager (I recommend 1Password).
  • Leverage Support Channels: In emergencies, don't hesitate to contact official support channels. Provide all necessary details—the outcome might surprise you positively.
  • Plan for the Long Term: The urge to move quickly when creating an app is understandable. However, it's crucial to implement practices that ensure long-term access and continuity.

By implementing these strategies, founders and technical leaders can safeguard their projects against unforeseen complications and ensure smooth operations in the long run.