Fixing the “Could Not Get GOOGLE_APP_ID in Google Services File from Build Environment” Error in Xcode

If you’re working on an iOS project that integrates Firebase, you may encounter an error saying: “Could not get GOOGLE_APP_ID in Google Services file from build environment.” This error is commonly caused by Xcode being unable to locate the GoogleService-Info.plist file, which is essential for Firebase configurations.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps to solve this error by properly configuring the GoogleService-Info.plist file in your Xcode project.

Understanding the Error

The GoogleService-Info.plist file contains necessary configuration data that Firebase uses to identify and connect your app with its backend services. Without this file, Firebase won’t be able to initialize correctly, resulting in errors like the one mentioned.

The error usually appears when the file is missing from the Build Phases of your project, specifically in the Copy Bundle Resources section.

Solution: Adding GoogleService-Info.plist to Copy Bundle Resources

Follow these steps to ensure that your GoogleService-Info.plist file is correctly set up in Xcode:

1. Locate the GoogleService-Info.plist file in your project. Make sure it’s correctly added to your project’s root folder (or wherever your project structure requires).
2. Go to Project Settings: Open your project in Xcode and navigate to the project settings by selecting the project file in the Navigator panel.
3. Access Build Phases: In the project settings, select the Build Phases tab.
4. Add GoogleService-Info.plist to Copy Bundle Resources:
   • Scroll down to the Copy Bundle Resources section.
   • Check if the GoogleService-Info.plist file is listed here. If not, click the + button at the bottom of the list, select GoogleService-Info.plist, and click Add.

Below is a screenshot of the Build Phases section showing the GoogleService-Info.plist file included in Copy Bundle Resources:

This configuration ensures that the GoogleService-Info.plist file is bundled with your app, making it accessible to Firebase at runtime.

Additional Tips

• Check Your File Path: Sometimes, even if the file appears to be in the right place, Xcode might have an issue with the file path. Make sure GoogleService-Info.plist is actually within your project’s directory and accessible.
• Clean and Rebuild: After adding the file, try cleaning the build (Cmd + Shift + K) and then rebuilding your project. This step often resolves any lingering issues.
• Verify Firebase Integration: After completing these steps, launch your app and verify that Firebase initializes without errors. You can check the console for any Firebase-related messages to confirm.

Conclusion

The “Could not get GOOGLE_APP_ID in Google Services file from build environment” error can be frustrating, but it’s easily fixable by making sure that your GoogleService-Info.plist file is properly added to the Copy Bundle Resources. This small configuration ensures that Firebase has the information it needs to run smoothly within your app.

With this setup complete, you should be able to continue developing with Firebase without further issues. Happy coding!