How to Keep Track of iOS App Installs from Google Ads

PDF download Download Article
Monitor the success of your Google Ads campaign with this handy guide
PDF download Download Article

Are you using Google Ads to promote your iOS app? If so, tracking the number of installations that result from your ad is a great way to measure the success of your campaign. While Google Ads does not directly track this data for iOS apps, you can access it by adding Firebase to your app then linking your Firebase and Google Ads accounts. This wikiHow article will teach you how to track iOS app installations from Google Ads by combining Firebase’s event-tracking technology with Google Ads' conversion tracking.

Things You Should Know

  • Register your app in Firebase using the same account associated with your Google Ads account.
  • Add installations as an event in Firebase, and mark the new event as a conversion.
  • Link your Firebase and Google Ads accounts and import the installation event into Google Ads.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you didn’t add Firebase to your app in the development phase, it’s not too late. Go to the Firebase homepage ( https://firebase.google.com/ ) on a web browser and click Create a Project. After you’ve filled out the required fields, add your iOS app to your new project by clicking the round “iOS” button under your project name. Fill out the required information to finish registering your app with Firebase.
    • Be sure to set up Firebase using the same account associated with your Google Ads account.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In order for Firebase to collect installation data, you’ll need to add it to your app’s code.
    • First, add a Firebase configuration file, which you can find by clicking Download GoogleService-Info.plist. [1]
    • Next, add Google Analytics to your app using a Firebase SDK.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once you complete the first two steps, Firebase will automatically begin tracking certain events for your app. These include first opens and in-app purchases. Installations are not automatically tracked, but you can add an event by sharing the Log Event setup link from Firebase with your developer. You can find the link under event descriptions. [2]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In your Firebase project page, click analytics, then click events. For your installation event, toggle on “Mark as conversion.” Labelling the event as a conversion will allow Google Ads to track it to your ad campaign. [3]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    From the Firebase project you've created for your app, use the gear icon to navigate to the Project Settings page. Select the Integrations tab, scroll to the Google Play square, then click Link. A pop up message will appear to tell you more about linking the accounts and confirm the action; click "Link to Google Play." [4]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Log in to Google Ads then click tools, the wrench icon at the top right of your screen. From the dropdown menu, select “Conversions” under “Measurement.”
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Track-iOS-App-Installs-in-Google-Ads-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    At this point, you should see a table listing any previous conversions you tracked.
    • Click the plus sign to the top left of the table, and you will be prompted to select the type of conversion you want to add to the tracking table. Click on App, then select “Google Analytics 4 properties (Firebase)” from the multiple choice menu. Google Ads will prompt you to select which of your Firebase conversions you want to import. Select your installations event then click “Import and Continue.” [5]
    8. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Delete Google Photos and Keep Them on Your iPhone
      How to
      Sign Up for a New Google Voice Phone Number
      How to
      Disable Google Safe Search
      2 Simple Ways to Unsync Google Photos
      How to
      Restore Google Authenticator if You Lost or Reset Your Phone
      Dark Mode in Google Docs: Easy Steps for Desktop & Mobile
      How to
      Sign Out of Your Google Account on All Devices at Once
      2 Easy Ways to Permanently Delete (or, Hide) Your YouTube Channel
      Google Docs: 4 Ways to Delete Extra Pages in Your Document
      How to
      Use Google Translate: Complete Beginner's Guide
      How to
      Step Seeing Google Ads on PC or Mobile Devices
      How to
      Fix the "Google Play Store Has Stopped" Error
      Reverse Image Search in Google Lens: Android, iPhone, & Desktop
      5 Ways to Customize & Fix the Google Toolbar on Google Chrome
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about digital marketing, check out our in-depth interview with Anar Kazimov .

      References

      1. ↑ https://firebase.google.com/docs/ios/setup
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvQHojbh9c8
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/firebase/answer/6317518
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/firebase/answer/6383833#
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvQHojbh9c8

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 31,986 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement