Set Up Firebase

The Firebase setup is the first step to use backend features like authentication, database, and file storage in your app. The integrated assistant guides you step by step through the setup.

Overview

The Firebase setup consists of three main areas:

Create Firebase Project Create a Firebase project and register your iOS and Android apps.

Firestore & Storage Set up the database and file storage with the correct security rules.

Service Account One-time setup for automatic configuration of all modules.

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Choose Setup Mode

When setting up Firebase modules, you can choose between two modes:

Automatic (Recommended)

Requirement: A Service Account must be set up.

Advantages:

• Setup in seconds
• No manual copying and pasting
• All rules and indexes are automatically deployed
• Less error-prone

How it works:

1. Choose “Automatic” during module setup
2. The app automatically connects to Firebase
3. All settings are applied
4. Done!

Manual

No requirements - always works.

How it works:

• The assistant shows you step by step what to do
• You copy the rules from the app and paste them into Firebase
• More control, but more effort

Choose this mode when:

• You don’t want to set up a Service Account
• You want full control over every step
• The automatic mode fails

Recommendation

Set up the Service Account once to automatically configure all future modules. This saves a lot of time!

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Prerequisites

Before you start the Firebase setup, you need:

• A Google Account (e.g., Gmail address)
• Access to the Firebase Console at console.firebase.google.com
• The Bundle ID of your iOS app (e.g., com.yourcompany.yourapp)
• The Package Name of your Android app (e.g., com.yourcompany.yourapp)

Where do I find Bundle ID and Package Name?

In the App Builder, you can find this information under Settings > App Information. There you’ll see both values that you’ll need later for Firebase registration.

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Start Setup

1. Open Edit Mode in your app
2. Go to Module & Features
3. Tap on Firebase and then on Set Up
4. The guided assistant opens

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The Setup Assistant

The Firebase setup assistant is an interactive wizard that opens the Firebase Console directly in the app and guides you through each step.

How the Assistant Works

Area	Description
WebView	The Firebase Console is displayed directly in the app
Progress Indicator	Dots at the top show which step you’re at
Instructions Area	Instructions for the current step appear at the bottom
Navigation	Navigate through the steps with “Next” and “Back”

Automatically Logged In

If you’re already signed in to Google in Safari or Chrome, you’ll be automatically logged in to the Firebase Console. This makes the process even easier.

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What Will Be Set Up?

Firebase Project

A Firebase project is the container for all Firebase services of your app. It contains:

• Project ID: Unique identifier for your project
• Project Name: Display name in the Firebase Console
• Resources: Servers and storage for your app

App Registrations

For each platform (iOS and Android), an app is registered in Firebase:

Platform	Configuration File	Contains
iOS	GoogleService-Info.plist	API keys, Project ID, App ID
Android	google-services.json	API keys, Project ID, App ID

Firebase Storage

The file storage for media like profile pictures, uploads, and more:

• Bucket: Storage location for all files
• Security Rules: Rules for who can upload/read what
• Location: Geographic server location (e.g., Europe)

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Setup Tips

Choose Project Name

Choose a meaningful project name, e.g., the name of your app. This helps with orientation later when you have multiple projects.

Consider Location

Choose a server location near your users. For German apps, europe-west3 (Frankfurt) is recommended.

Location Not Changeable

The location for Firestore and Storage cannot be changed after setup! So think ahead about where your main users are.

Secure Configuration Files

Save the downloaded configuration files (GoogleService-Info.plist and google-services.json) in a secure location. You’ll need them later for the app build.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a paid Firebase account?

No, the free “Spark” plan is completely sufficient for most apps. It includes:

• Authentication (unlimited)
• Firestore (1 GB storage, 50,000 reads/day)
• Storage (5 GB storage, 1 GB downloads/day)

Can I use an existing Firebase project?

Yes! In the assistant, you can either create a new project or select an existing one. Just make sure the Bundle ID and Package Name match your app.

What happens if I cancel the assistant?

You can cancel the assistant at any time and continue later. Already created projects and apps remain in the Firebase Console.

Do I need to set up both platforms (iOS and Android)?

It’s recommended to set up both platforms, even if you only use one initially. This way you’re prepared for the future.

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Next Steps

Create Firebase Project Step-by-step to your own Firebase project

Firestore & Storage Set up database and file storage

Set Up Service Account For automatic configuration of all modules