Kakao Developers
App & Key Setup
To use Kakao APIs such as Kakao Login, Maps, AlimTalk, and Share, you must register an app on Kakao Developers. We walk you through app creation, key issuance, and platform config in order.
Signup fee
Free
Review
Instant
Needed
Kakao account
Overview
Check before you start
Kakao Developers is free to join, but some features (Kakao Login consent items, AlimTalk, Biz Message) require extra application and review. Never expose app keys on the client — the Admin key is server-only.
Prepare a Kakao account
Must have email/phone verification.
Decide the service domain
Lock down the domain for web first.
Privacy policy URL
Required for Kakao Login review.
Business account (optional)
If you need AlimTalk/Biz Message.
Step by Step
Step-by-step Guide
SIGNUP
Kakao account + developer registration
Log in to Kakao Developers and register as a developer.
- Go to developers.kakao.com and log in (top right)
- Accept the developer terms on first login
- Email/phone verification is required
CREATE APP
Create an application
Enter basic app info.
- My Applications > Add an application
- App icon (at least 128×128, PNG recommended)
- App name (shown on Kakao Talk share and login screens)
- Business name / category
KEYS
Check app keys and secure them
Four app keys are issued automatically.
- Native app key: used by iOS/Android native SDKs
- JavaScript key: used by the Web JS SDK (must be domain-restricted)
- REST API key: used for REST calls from the server
- Admin key: user-admin API — never expose to clients
- If a key leaks, regenerate it in app settings
PLATFORM
Register platforms
Register the platforms your app will run on.
- Android: package name + key hash (keystore SHA1 → Base64)
- iOS: bundle ID
- Web: site domains (you can register multiple, including http://localhost)
- Unregistered platforms will fail all SDK calls
AUTH
Enable Kakao Login
Enable and register Redirect URIs if you use Kakao Login.
- Product settings > Kakao Login > toggle ON
- Enable OpenID Connect (if you need JWT tokens)
- Register Redirect URI (web only; native uses the app key)
- Configure consent items (nickname, profile, email, age range, etc.)
- Required consent needs review; optional consent is usable immediately
REVIEW
Submit consent items for review (if needed)
Items like email, birthday, and gender require switching to a Biz App and passing review.
- Convert to Biz App: upload business registration
- Registering a privacy policy URL is required
- Reviewable items: email, birthday, year of birth, gender, phone, address, etc.
- Review takes 1–5 business days
MESSAGE
Kakao Talk Message / Share
Message API config. Separate from AlimTalk.
- Product settings > Kakao Talk Message > enable
- Build share/message templates in the Template Builder
- Send via Native/JS SDK using the template ID
- Actually sending messages requires the recipient's talk_message scope
ALIMTALK
AlimTalk (optional, separate signup)
AlimTalk is delivered via Biz Message partners (NHN, Aligo, etc.), not Kakao Developers.
- Kakao Business > open a Kakao Talk Channel first
- Complete channel biz verification
- Contract with a delivery partner (NHN Cloud, Aligo, Swingpham, etc.)
- Kakao reviews templates directly (1–2 business days)
- Billed at roughly 8–10 KRW per message
Pitfalls
Common blockers
Key hash mismatch (Android)
The debug keystore SHA1 differs from the release keystore. Register both hashes so Kakao Login works in the released build.
Unrestricted JavaScript key
Leaving the JS key open to all domains lets anyone steal it. Specify allowed domains under Platform > Web.
Admin key exposed on the client
Admin keys leak to public GitHub repos often. Move them to .env and check your gitignore.
Email as a required consent item without review
Setting email as required without passing review breaks login. Convert to Biz App and finish review first.
AlimTalk vs FriendTalk confusion
AlimTalk is informational (no consent needed); FriendTalk is promotional (channel friends only). Pick based on use case.
If setup is a headache, we'll handle it
Projects at JAICYLAB include everything from developer account setup to launch and ops.