# Android Firebase Integration

The Zello Android SDK uses Firebase to support push notifications. These are used both for user notifications as well as in the background to wake the application process to ensure continuous delivery of messages even while your application is not displayed on the screen. Basic functionality of the Zello SDK will work without a Firebase connection, so it is not required that you connect to a Firebase instance; however, if you do wish to connect to Firebase, you should follow the steps below

#### Add Google Services Plugin to Your Gradle Files <a href="#add-google-services-plugin-to-your-gradle-files" id="add-google-services-plugin-to-your-gradle-files"></a>

In your top-level Gradle file:

```
// Top-level build file where you can add configuration options common to all sub-projects/modules.
plugins {
	id("com.google.gms.google-services") version "4.4.1" apply false
	// Other plugins
}
```

In your app/module-level Gradle file:

```
plugins {
	id("com.google.gms.google-services") version "4.4.1"
	// Other plugins
}
```

#### Create a Firebase Project and Add Your Application <a href="#create-a-firebase-project-and-add-your-application" id="create-a-firebase-project-and-add-your-application"></a>

In the [Firebase console](https://console.firebase.google.com/?_gl=1*zgzqts*_ga*NDg0NjI1MDIxLjE3MjMwNDQ1ODI.*_ga_CW55HF8NVT*MTcyMzA0NDU4Mi4xLjEuMTcyMzA0NDYwMC40Mi4wLjA.) select “Add app” and enter your project’s package name. This will generate a `google-services.json` file which you will include with your project. For more detailed instructions, see the [Firebase setup guide](https://firebase.google.com/docs/android/setup)

Once you have obtained the `google-services.json` file, add it to the Android application module directory in your project. In other words the path will be something like: `yourprojectsdirectory/yourprojectname/app/google-services.json`


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