Google Play verification with another identity

A friend created a Google play dev account for me back in 2017 under his name/payment profile. Now Google asks for id + address verification. He is no longer my friend and won’t provide the documents.

1. Can I change the account under my name and provide the documents under my name (do I need to also create payment profile under my name, can I do that)?

2. Will Google close my account if I try the thing above?

3. Is EU national id with picture and the address on it enough for proof of address?

Thanks

You can’t just switch the name to yours, but you might be able to update the payment profile to yours (if Google lets you) and provide your ID/address for verification. There’s no guarantee this works, though, and if Google thinks something’s off, they could flag or even close the account. As for the ID, an EU national ID with your photo and address is generally solid proof, but Google may also ask for a utility bill or bank statement to back it up. Best bet? Reach out to Google support, explain the situation honestly, and see if they’ll guide you on how to keep the account legit.

It’s a tricky situation you’re in, but here’s how it stands. Google Play Developer Accounts are tied to the original account holder’s identity, and unfortunately, transferring ownership of an account is not allowed under Google’s policies. If you attempt to provide your own ID and create a payment profile under your name, the details won’t match the original account holder’s information. This could cause verification issues and potentially lead to the account being flagged or suspended.

If you try to use documents under your name for verification, there is a risk that Google may close the account due to the mismatch in ownership details. Their verification process is strict, and providing information that doesn’t align with the original registration can raise red flags.

As for proof of address, a national ID with your picture and address could be sufficient, but only if the name matches the one registered on the account. Since your name isn’t on the account, this would not resolve the issue unless Google explicitly agrees to allow a transfer, which is quite rare.

Given these constraints, the best course of action might be to create a new developer account under your own name. While this could feel like a setback, it ensures full control over the account and eliminates future risks related to identity verification. Starting fresh may also align better with Google’s policies, ensuring a smoother experience moving forward.

you can't change the original name and verification details. better to find your friend and ask him for any help

You can simply change the Payments profile with your details, then do the verification process with your ID and proof of address and you will get verified with no problem. Change the details in all the places like Google Play, Google account and most important, Google payments. I can assure you this work because I have done it recently.

Google typically allows one Google Play Developer account per individual or business. You cannot maintain multiple accounts for the same identity or business, so be mindful when making changes to the account.

Simply when confirming the data, you specify a new payment profile. And in the new payment profile, you specify the data for other passport data.