Introduction note:
This summer we will tell you everything about GMS certification for Android Devices in 4 articles covering:
In the previous two articles about GMS we explained what the GMS licence and certification are and what the requirements are to get your device certified by Google. This article lets you know what obtaining Google Mobile Services Certification really costs.
In January 2014, the Guardian published an article claiming that Google was charging a few cents per phone that uses Google Mobile Services. The Guardian has since amended its story.
Indeed Google doesn’t charge OEMs for the attribution of the GMS License. However, obtaining the certificate from an authorised third party testing facility (or 3PL) will incur fees that are usually negotiated on a case by case basis.
Basically, the 3PL will charge you for the service they provide that includes the Android Compatibility Test or CTS. You should expect to pay $10k-15k per model for the 3PL to perform the tests.
If you are looking for obtaining a GMS License and get your Android Device Certified by Google, before hiring a 3PL you should consider the following:
- Make sure that the 3PL is authorized by Google.
- For each firmware upgrade you will need to redo the GMS testing thus paying the 3PL another time.
- Beware that passing the tests doesn’t guarantee that you get certified and you will still have to pay the 3PL who have performed the tests. The certification is granted at Google’s sole discretion.
- Only you can obtain the License from Google, be wary of those who promise to get you the License after you sign a manufacturing contract with him.
Hope this helps!
Feel free to share your knowledge of, or experiences with, the GMS License and certification with the other readers in the comment section below.
On my side, I will be happy, where possible, to go deeper into any part of this article that you felt interested in.
