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Troubleshooting Android: Google Play Games Sign-In Issue

Written by: Alex | Last updated on September 6, 2024
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Source: Stackexchange.com

Introduction

Google Play Games is a robust platform that allows developers to add social features to their games, such as leaderboards, achievements, and multiplayer capabilities. However, like any complex system, it can sometimes malfunction, leading to sign-in issues. These problems can range from simple configuration errors to more complex issues related to certificate fingerprints and account settings.

This guide will explore common causes of Google Play Games sign-in problems and provide step-by-step solutions to help troubleshoot and resolve these issues.

Common Causes of Sign-In Issues

Understanding the common causes of sign-in problems with Google Play Games is crucial:

  1. Incorrect Configuration: Issues with metadata tags, package names, and certificate fingerprints.
  2. Account Settings: Problems related to tester accounts and two-factor authentication.
  3. Proguard Issues: Errors that occur when using Proguard for code obfuscation.
  4. Cache and Data Issues: Problems related to cache and data storage of Google Play Services.
  5. Version Compatibility: Issues arising from outdated versions of Google Play Services or the game itself.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Check Your Metadata Tags

One of the first steps in troubleshooting is to ensure that metadata tags are correctly set up in the AndroidManifest.xml file. This file is crucial for configuring your game's settings, including the Google Play Games metadata.

  1. Open AndroidManifest.xml: Locate the AndroidManifest.xml file in your project's app/src/main directory.
  2. Verify the meta-data Tag: Ensure that there is a meta-data tag with the name com.google.android.gms.games.APP_ID. The value of this tag should be set to @string/app_id.

Example:
xml

  1. Locate the Definition of @string/app_id: The @string/app_id resource is usually defined in an XML file located in the res/xml directory, such as res/xml/strings.xml or res/xml/ids.xml.

Example:
xml
123456789012

  1. Verify the Value: Ensure that the value of the @string/app_id resource matches your application's numeric ID. The value should only contain digits.

Check Your Package Name

Your game's package name must match the package name on your client ID. Here’s how to verify:

  1. Open AndroidManifest.xml: Locate the manifest tag and verify that your game's package name is correct. The package name is the value of the package attribute.

Example:
xml

  1. Verify in Google Play Console: Go to the Google Play Console and click on the entry corresponding to your game. Navigate to the Linked Apps tab and examine the list of client IDs. There should be an Android linked app in this list whose package name matches the package name in your AndroidManifest.xml.

  2. Create a New Client ID if Necessary: If there is a mismatch, create a new client ID with the correct package name and try to sign in again.

Check the Certificate Fingerprint

The certificate with which you are signing your game should match the certificate fingerprint noted in the OAuth 2.0 Client ID section of the Google Play Console.

  1. Expand OAuth 2.0 Client ID Section: In the Google Play Console, expand the OAuth 2.0 Client ID section and note the certificate fingerprint (SHA1).

  2. Compare with Your Certificate Fingerprint: If this fingerprint does not match your certificate's fingerprint from the previous steps, you must create a new client ID with the correct certificate fingerprint.

  3. Create a New Client ID: You must create the new client ID in the Google Play Console, not in the Google Cloud Platform.

Check That Test Accounts Are Enabled

Before a game is published, the account that created the game in the Google Play Console must also be enabled as a tester.

  1. Open Google Play Console: Navigate to your game in the Google Play Console.

  2. Open Testing Tab: Open the Testing tab.

  3. Check Tester Accounts: Check that the account you are trying to sign in with is in the list of testers.

  4. Add Account to Testers List: If the account is not listed, add it to the list, wait a few minutes, and try to sign in again.

Proguard Issues

If you are using Proguard for code obfuscation and are seeing errors on the obfuscated APK, check the target API level on your AndroidManifest.xml.

  1. Set Target API Level: Ensure that the target API level is set to 17 or above.

Example:
xml

Other Causes of Setup Issues

Published Game Settings

If your game is published, check that the game settings are also published. It is possible to publish the application without publishing the games settings.

  1. Check Game Settings: Go to the Google Play Console and navigate to your app. Check that the box next to the game's name indicates that it's published. If it indicates that it is in another state, such as "Ready to Publish" or "Ready to Test," click the box and select Publish Game.

Client ID Configuration

If you can't publish your game, check that exactly one of the client IDs has the This app is preferred for new installations option enabled.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Clear Cache and Data

Sometimes, clearing cache and data of Google Play Services can resolve sign-in issues.

  1. Go to Settings: Navigate to Settings > Application Manager > Google Play Services.
  2. Clear Data and Cache: Click on Clear Data and Clear Cache.

Update Google Play Services

Ensure that you are using the latest version of Google Play Services.

  1. Open Google Play: Open Google Play and visit the My Apps menu.
  2. Update Google Play Services: Check for updates and install the latest version.

Restart Device

Restarting your device can sometimes resolve connectivity issues.

  1. Restart Device: Simply restart your device and try signing in again.

Force Close Google Play Games

Forcing close Google Play Games and clearing its cache can also help resolve sign-in issues.

  1. Force Close Google Play Games: Go to Settings > Application Manager > Google Play Games and force close the app.
  2. Clear Cache and Data: Clear cache and data of Google Play Games.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Debug Certificate

If you are testing your app, ensure that you are using the debug certificate instead of the release certificate.

  1. Generate Debug Certificate: Generate a debug certificate and use it for testing.
  2. Update Linked App: Update the linked app in the Google Play Console with the debug certificate's SHA1.

Gradle View

Use Gradle View to check for any signing issues.

  1. Open Gradle View: Open Gradle View by clicking on the vertical Gradle tab in the far right of Android Studio or by navigating to View > Tool Windows > Gradle.
  2. Run SigningReport: Double-click on the section called signingReport (in :app / Tasks / android) to run a signingReport.
  3. Copy Debug SHA1: Copy the debug SHA1 from the signingReport and update the linked app in the Google Play Console.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve most sign-in problems with Google Play Games on your Android device.

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