iOS “Link to existing Firebase app” option missing – Android works fine

Summary

The “Link to existing Firebase app” option is missing for iOS in AdMob, despite being available and working for the Android version of the same app. As the owner of the Firebase project, admin of the AdMob account, and having edit access to the linked Google Analytics property, all necessary permissions are in place. Troubleshooting steps, including verifying the iOS Bundle ID, checking for duplicate apps, and refreshing the Google Analytics integration, have not resolved the issue.

Root Cause

The root cause of the issue appears to be related to the configuration or synchronization between AdMob, Firebase, and Google Analytics, specifically for the iOS platform. Despite successful linkage for the Android app, the iOS app’s “Link to existing Firebase app” option remains unavailable.

Why This Happens in Real Systems

This issue can occur due to discrepancies in the configuration between the different platforms (iOS and Android) within the same app, or due to synchronization issues between AdMob, Firebase, and Google Analytics. The fact that it works for Android but not for iOS suggests a platform-specific configuration problem.

Real-World Impact

The inability to link the iOS app to its existing Firebase project in AdMob can lead to incomplete or inaccurate tracking and analytics, affecting the ability to effectively manage and monetize the app. This can have significant implications for app developers and publishers who rely on AdMob and Firebase for their business operations.

Example or Code

No specific code is required to illustrate this issue, as it pertains to configuration and setup within the AdMob and Firebase consoles.

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers would approach this issue by meticulously verifying all configurations and settings across AdMob, Firebase, and Google Analytics, ensuring consistency and correctness, especially for the iOS platform. They would also consider reaching out to Google support for AdMob and Firebase, providing detailed logs and configuration screenshots to help diagnose the issue.

Why Juniors Miss It

Junior engineers might miss this issue due to a lack of experience with the intricacies of AdMob, Firebase, and Google Analytics integrations, particularly the subtle differences between Android and iOS configurations. Without thorough knowledge of the troubleshooting steps, including Bundle ID verification, duplicate app checks, and Analytics integration refresh, juniors might not fully address the root cause of the problem.