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Firebase errorFirebase: “Cloud Firestore API has not been used in project … before or it is disabled”

This Firestore error means the Google Cloud project your app called has the Firestore API off, or has no Firestore database yet. It can name a project you don’t expect. That points to the wrong config or service account, not a broken database.

Short answer

Check the project ID in the error against the projectId in your Firebase config or service account. If it is the right project, create the Firestore database in the Firebase console, which also turns the API on. If the API was turned off, enable it with gcloud services enable firestore.googleapis.com; enabling the API alone doesn’t create a database. Wait a few minutes, then retry.

Rather not fix it yourself? App Fix Ticket starts with a fixed-price diagnosis, then a fixed price for the fix before any fix work.

Why the API is off, and the fix

  1. 01

    The project has no Firestore database yet

    “In the left panel, go to Databases & Storage > Firestore. Click Create database. Select a location for your database.” Firebase, Get started with Cloud Firestore

    A new Firebase project doesn’t create Firestore until you do. Create the database in the console, pick its location carefully, then run the app again.

  2. 02

    The app points at another project

    A firebaseConfig, google-services.json or service account key copied from another project sends requests there. Compare the project number or ID in the error with the one in your config, and use the files from the right project.

  3. 03

    The API was turned off in Google Cloud

    “The gcloud services enable command enables a service with the name specified for the current project.” Google Cloud, Enable and disable services

    Someone may have disabled the Firestore API in this project. Turn it back on in the API Library or from the command line. Enabling it needs a role that can manage services, such as Owner or Editor.

    gcloud services enable firestore.googleapis.com --project YOUR_PROJECT_ID
  4. 04

    It was just enabled

    The error text itself asks you to wait a few minutes after enabling the API. Retry after that before changing anything else.

Checked against the vendor’s docs on : Firebase docs: Get started with Cloud Firestore; Google Cloud docs: Enable and disable services.

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Related: Firestore “client is offline” · Firebase “Missing or insufficient permissions” · Firebase Functions deploy failed · Firestore unsupported field value: undefined

Questions

More on this error

Can I enable it from the Google Cloud console?

Yes. Open APIs & Services, select the project, search for Cloud Firestore API and click Enable.

Why does a Cloud Function get this error?

The function runs with its project’s service account. If it reads Firestore in another project, that project needs the API on and the service account needs access there.

Can you fix it for me?

If one bug is the whole problem, the App Fix Ticket covers it: a written diagnosis first, then the fix. If the app has more going on, the Launch Check is a written check of the whole app. Each issue found is rated critical, high, medium or low, with where it is and how it was confirmed. No issues worth fixing, no charge. If the Launch Check finds nothing rated medium or higher, Simon refunds the full $450. You keep the report either way. This applies to the first 10 Launch Checks bought after October 30, 2026.

A different error?

Describe it and get a written quote

Send the error and what you were doing. You get a written scope, a fixed price and a timeline; Simon replies by email, usually within one business day.