Migrating to the Firebase Cloud Messaging API

Learn how to migrate from Google’s deprecated Cloud Messaging API to their fully-supported Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) API. For more information, see Google’s Firebase FAQ - 2023.

Rate limit

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) API has a default rate limit of 600,000 requests per minute. If you reach this limit, Braze will automatically try again in a few minutes. To request an increase, contact Firebase Support.

Step 1: Verify your Project ID

First, open Google Cloud. On your project’s home page, check the number in the Project ID field—you’ll compare this to the one in your Firebase project next.

Next, open Firebase Console, then select  Settings > Project settings.

In the General tab, verify the Project ID matches the one listed in your Google Cloud project.

Step 2: Verify your Sender ID

First, open Braze, then select  Settings > App Settings.

Under your Android app’s Push Notification Settings, check the number in the Firebase Cloud Messaging Sender ID field—you’ll compare this to the one in your Firebase project next.

Next, open Firebase Console, then select  Settings > Project settings.

Select Cloud Messaging. Under Cloud Messaging API (Legacy), verify the Sender ID matches the one listed in your Braze dashboard.

Step 3: Enable the Firebase Cloud Messaging API

In Google Cloud, select the project your Android app is using, then enable the Firebase Cloud Messaging API.

Step 4: Create a Service Account

Next, create a new service account, so Braze can make authorized API calls when registering FCM tokens. In Google Cloud, go to Service Accounts, then choose your project. On the Service Accounts page, select Create Service Account.

Enter a service account name, ID, and description, then select Create and continue.

In the Role field, find and select Firebase Cloud Messaging API Admin from the list of roles. For more restrictive access, create a custom role with the cloudmessaging.messages.create permission, then choose it from the list instead. When you’re finished, select Done.

Step 5: Verify permissions (optional)

To verify which permissions your service account has, open Google Cloud, then go to your project and select IAM. Under View By Principals, select Excess Permissions.

Now you can review the current permissions assigned to your selected role.

Step 6: Generate JSON credentials

Next, generate JSON credentials for your FCM service account. On Google Cloud IAM & Admin, go to Service Accounts, then choose your project. Locate the FCM service account you created earlier, then select  Actions > Manage Keys.

Select Add Key > Create new key.

Choose JSON, then select Create.

Step 7: Upload your JSON credentials to Braze

In Braze, select  Settings > App Settings.

Under Push Notification Settings, select Upload JSON File, then choose the file you generated earlier. When you’re finished, select Save.

Step 8: Test your Push integration

Once your new credential is uploaded, try sending a test push notification to confirm your integration is set up correctly.

If your integration is not working, you can use the Revert Credentials button to delete the new JSON credentials and fall back to the deprecated Sender ID and Server Key credentials.