Listing Migration FAQs

Why do I need a generic Gmail account?

Google charges their $25 Google Play Console registration fee per registrant. Having a generic Gmail account lets more people have access without paying the additional registration fees.

I don’t have a generic Gmail account.

You can easily create one by going to the Gmail site and selecting Create account.

What do you mean by “generic” for the Gmail account?

We mean to create a Gmail account that can be shared by multiple users, or an account that is not tied to any one person. As individuals leave your organization, this Gmail needs to remain with the organization. The owner of a Google Play Console account cannot pass ownership to another Gmail user.

Why do I need to use the full name of my organization for my Developer Name in Google Play?

There are two reasons. First, this is the name that will display on your app listings in Google Play. Second, the name is how the Mobile App Team finds you in their list of apps that they manage. The members of the Mobile App Team need to be able to find “example school district” in the list instead of “esd.”

What is the email address field used for when signing up for Google Play Console?

This is where notifications will be sent to regarding app status and marketing (should you choose to receive those). This is not displayed in Google Play.

Why choose “never” for the access expiry date in Google Play Console?

The Mobile App Team will need to access your account multiples times a year to deliver new binaries, adjust listing information, or complete other tasks that will keep your app listing in compliance with Google Play’s policies. Should you choose to expire the invite after a certain amount of time, we would need to have you send a new invite the next time we needed access.

Why am I giving you administrator level access to my Google Play Console?

This level of access is necessary for the Mobile App Team to complete their work, which includes delivering new versions of the app to the store and modifying the app listing. If you have other apps within your account, then you can restrict the Mobile App Teams’ access to just the one app while still maintaining the administrator level access.

We have G Suite/Google Domain/Google for Education.

No problem. Simply have the administrator create a generic account to use for registering with Google Play Console. This generic account can still reside under the same domain/suite. Note that for G Suite you will need to ensure that access to Google Play Console is turned on. Without this, you will not be able to access Google Play Console. Why a generic account?

What do you mean by “correct” Gmail account?

Simply that it is the Gmail account you want to own the Google Play Console registration. Note that this account becomes the owner of the Google Play Console account and that it cannot change.

Google Play Console permission levels

The administrator permission level is required for the Mobile App Team to manage the listing and submit new versions to the store. However, you can limit the Mobile App Team’s access to just the Blackboard app by selecting the app from the drop down next to the permission level. Note that this cannot be done until the app listing is in your account.

What is a Google Play Registration Transaction ID?

This ID is, in a way, your account’s identity. The Google Play Registration Transaction ID is known by a few names: Transaction ID, Order Number, Google Play, and Check Out number. It is a very large alpha-numerical string that may come in one of three different formats:

1. 01234567890123456789.token.0123456789012345
2. 0.G.123456789012345
3. registration-1234ab56-7c89-12d3-4567-8e91234567f8
4. PDS.1234-5678-9012-34567

Where can I find my Google Play Registration Transaction ID?

There are four ways to find this ID.

1. Google will have sent a receipt email to you upon registration for a Google Play Console account. In the Gmail account that was used to register, search for “developer registration fee.”
2. Go to Google’s payment page, select Activity, and look for “Google Play Developer Token.”
3. Go to Google’s payment page, select Other Purchase Activity, then select the $25-line item.
4. Reach out to Google Play Console support. If you provide them the last 4 digits of the credit card used to make the purchase, they will be able to provide this ID.

What is a Google Play Console Developer Name?

This is the name of your organization that you would have filled out when registering for Google Play Console. This is the name that will show on your app listing in Google Play.

Where can I find my Google Play Console Developer Name?

Log in to your Google Play Console and click on the Android symbol in the top right. It will be listed in the drop down.

What is a Apple Developer Team ID?

This is the ID associated with your Apple Developer Team. It is necessary for transferring your app listing to you. It is typically an all-caps alpha-numeric string that will look like this: ABCD1EF2G3

Where can I find my Apple Developer Team ID? Log in to Apple Developer, click on Membership in the left hand bar and look for Team ID on the page.

Why do I have to have an Apple ID to enroll in the Apple Developer Program?

To enroll in the Apple Developer Program you must be a real person. Your Apple ID identifies you as a real person.

I don’t have a work Apple ID.

Using a personal Apple ID is appropriate for enrolling in the Apple Developer program. Apple requires actual individuals to be a part of an Apple Developer/App Store Connect team as opposed to generic accounts. As individuals come and go with an organization, they are to be added to/removed from the developer account. However, if you're uncomfortable using your personal Apple ID, consider creating another work-place Apple ID for yourself. Just remember that it needs to be your actual information.

What do you mean by “verifiable” for the Apple ID?

Apple requires that the Apple ID be tied to a real person. You can't create generic Apple IDs. Apple will verify who you are, including emailing or calling you to request additional verification information. Using generic information will result in a very lengthy and difficult process to correct with Apple. You can learn more on Apple’s Identity Verification page.

Apple Developer Program options

There are three different types of developer programs: Apple Developer Program for individuals, Apple Developer Program for organizations, and Apple’s Enterprise Developer Program. The Apple Developer Program for organizations is what you need to enroll in. Enrolling in the other options won't work, as the individual program can't invite others and the enterprise program is for in-house distribution only—no access to the App Store.

Why can’t I log in to Apple Developer?

This issue is most likely due to an issue with your Apple ID. Please visit Apple’s Apple ID Support page for help.

Apple is asking me for two-factor authentication. What do I do?

Ensure that you're signed up for two-factor authentication. Go to Apple’s Two-factor authentication for Apple ID page for instructions. If you're using two-step verification with Apple, you'll need to switch to two-factor authentication. Go to Apple’s Switch from two-step verification to two-factor authentication page for instructions.

The two-factor authentication isn't working.

Ensure that the Apple ID you're logging in to Apple Developer with is the same Apple ID that is on your trusted device. If you're attempting to use the trusted number, ensure that the number is listed as trusted on your Apple ID. If this is all correct, go to Apple’s If you can’t sign in with two-step verification using your Apple ID page and follow the steps. If none of this works, you'll need to contact Apple support directly.

If none of this works, you'll need to contact Apple support directly at 1-800-275-2273.

Why not a different entity type?

The entity type is associated with your D-U-N-S number. While the vast majority of school districts are identified as an accredited educational institution, some will be identified as Government. If you're told that your entity type is incorrect, either switch to Government or verify by looking at your D-U-N-S information.

What is the difference between authority types?

If you have the authority to sign, you'll be asked for your work email. If you've been given the authority to sign, you'll be asked for the contact information of the individual who gave you that authority. This other individual may be contacted by Apple for verification purposes.

What is the difference between Apple Developer and App Store Connect?

Apple developer and App Store Connect are two halves of the same whole. Apple Developer deals with back-end items such as certificates and files necessary for mobile app functionality. App Store Connect deals with front-end items such as screenshots, the name, and whether your app is available for download or not.

I'm not seeing the App Store Connect button in Apple Developer.

You're most likely enrolled in Apple’s enterprise developer program. This program is designed for in-house distribution only and doesn't allow access to the App Store. You'll need to enroll in the developer program with your Apple ID.

My App Store Connect doesn't look like the screenshot.

You're most likely enrolled in Apple’s enterprise developer program. This program is designed for in-house distribution only and doesn't allow access to the App Store. You'll need to enroll in the developer program with your Apple ID.

Why am I giving you Administrator access to App Store Connect?

This level of access is necessary for the app download report in your Bb Comms portal—where you manage your Mobile App. If you don't care about the app download report, you can use the App Manager permission level instead.

What is an Apple Developer Team ID?

This is the ID associated with your Apple Developer Team. It is necessary for transferring your app listing to you. It is typically an all-caps alpha-numeric string that will look like this: ABCD1EF2G3

Where can I find my Apple Developer Team ID?

Log in to Apple Developer, select Membership in the left-hand bar and look for Team ID on the page.

I can’t select Review to accept the transfer. It says I need to accept the agreement.

Use these instructions:

1. Go to Apple Developer.
2. When you log in you'll see a red bar at the top. Follow this red bar through to accept the agreement.
3. Once completed, go back to App Store Connect.
4. Go to Agreements, Tax, and Banking.
5. You'll see a new agreement for your review.
6. Accept this agreement.
7. You'll then be able to accept your app transfer.

What is my Bb Comms Domain?

Your Bb Comms Portal is where you log in to manage your mobile app. The URL will be “example.parentlink.com.” The Bb Comm domain is the piece that comes after https:// and before .parentlink.com.