What Is Google Mobile Services (GMS)? - Definition From

• Home
• Mobile application strategy

• Share this item with your network:

By

• Alexander S. Gillis, Technical Writer and Editor

Published: Feb 03, 2023

What is Google Mobile Services (GMS)?

Google Mobile Services (GMS) is a collection of applications and application programming interfaces (APIs) developed by Google for manufacturers of Android devices, such as smartphones and tablets. GMS can only be implemented into devices once the manufacturer has obtained a license to use the set of cloud-based applications. By placing all popular Google applications under one offering, GMS provides end users with secure and consistent functionality across devices.

Examples of popular applications within GMS include Google Play Store, Chrome and Search -- a tool that searches the web and the device for specific information. Manufacturers have the option of pre-installing specific GMS applications, like Gmail or YouTube, on a device home page or offering them for download through an app store. Additional GMS applications include Google Drive, Hangouts, Maps, Photos and Music.

GMS may vary based on regional availability and licensing requirements. It should also not be confused with the Android Open Source Project, which is used to help Android developers create consistent, device-level user experiences.

GMS licensing

Android device manufacturers must obtain a license from Google to be able to use GMS on their devices, ensuring that all applications work as intended on the device software. Developers who do not acquire a license from Google will not be able to update commonly available applications, such as Gmail, which may lead to improper operation.

It often takes up to six months to get a license for GMS applications. To receive certification, manufacturers should contact Google, fill out the proper forms and follow procedures surrounding compatibility with GMS applications. Compatibility tests can be completed through the Android compatibility test suite, called CTS Verifier, or through the Google GMS Test Suite. These types of tests will verify aspects such as compliance, performance quality, experience and display resolution.

Benefits of GMS

Some advantages of GMS are the following:

• access to a large number of productive applications under GMS;
• uniform functionality and support for various Android devices;
• ensured application stability and security through Google's guidelines;
• enabled system updates and patches to ensure that applications consistently operate properly; and
• support for over-the-air updates.

Continue Reading About Google Mobile Services (GMS)

• Analyze Google's cloud computing strategy

• What are the types of APIs and their differences?

• How to obtain Google's GMS certification for latest Android devices?

• 22 API management interview questions and answers

• Essential mobile app development tools and programming languages

Related Terms

What is a mobile operating system? A mobile operating system (OS) is software that enables smartphones, tablets and other devices to run applications and programs. See complete definition What is biometric authentication? Biometric authentication is a security process that relies on the unique biological characteristics of individuals to verify ... See complete definition What is mobile application development? Mobile application development is the set of processes and procedures involved in writing software for small, wireless computing ... See complete definition

Dig Deeper on Mobile application strategy

• What is a mobile operating system?

  By: Scott Robinson

• Android OS

  By: Erica Mixon

• GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

  By: Alexander Gillis

• Google ChromeOS

  By: Robert Sheldon

Sponsored News

• The “Personal Touch” of AI is Undeniable, Thanks for Impressive Advances in ... –Dell Technologies
• 3 Strategies to Enhance Healthcare Financial Experiences –Zelis Healthcare
• See More

Vendor Resources

• The Right Time for Real Time –ParkourSC
• Managing Android devices in the enterprise –TechTarget ComputerWeekly.com

Latest TechTarget resources

• Networking
• Unified Communications
• Security

Search Networking

• AI-driven self-healing networks bring new capabilities

  Self-healing networks use AI to continuously monitor, diagnose and fix issues autonomously, shifting IT from reactive ...

• Why network modernization is crucial for business continuity

  Network modernization is a business continuity imperative, reducing risks from legacy systems while boosting performance, ...

• Data quality gaps undermine the promise of agentic NetOps

  EMA's NetOps survey finds only 44% trust their network data for AI. Packet and config data create major risk, so teams must ...

Search Unified Communications

• 8 AI meeting assistants to consider in 2026

  AI meeting assistants now come packed with powerful features to improve employee productivity and meeting workflows. So, which AI...

• UC user adoption training must evolve for hybrid work

  Learn why user adoption training remains key to UC success in hybrid environments -- and how employee experience platforms can ...

• How to make a business case for unified communications

  Making a business case for unified communications isn't the same as deciding on a PBX. ROI, for example, isn't as important. But ...

Search Security

• Secure MCP servers to safeguard AI and corporate data

  Model Context Protocol servers act as bridges between AI models and enterprise resources. But they can also give threat actors ...

• Why organizations need cloud attack surface management

  Cloud environments constantly change, expanding attack surfaces beyond traditional tools. Cloud ASM delivers continuous ...

• News brief: Ransomware trends show new twists to old game

  Check out the latest security news from the Informa TechTarget team.

Close