SDK Initialization

After installing the Google Mobile Ads SDK and configuring your Unity project, the next step is to initialize the SDK.

Initializing the SDK ensures that all ad formats (Banner, Interstitial, Rewarded, and App Open Ads) are ready to load.

Why Initialization Matters

Before requesting any advertisements, the Google Mobile Ads SDK must be initialized.

Initialization:

Loads internal SDK components
Prepares ad services
Improves ad loading performance
Prevents runtime errors

Always initialize the SDK only once when your application starts.

Import the Required Namespace

using GoogleMobileAds.Api;

Basic SDK Initialization

Create a new C# script.

Example:

using UnityEngine;
using GoogleMobileAds.Api;

public class AdManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    void Start()
    {
        MobileAds.Initialize(initStatus =>
        {
            Debug.Log("Google Mobile Ads SDK Initialized");
        });
    }
}

Understanding the Code

The method:

MobileAds.Initialize();

starts the Google Mobile Ads SDK.

The callback:

initStatus =>
{
}

runs after initialization has completed.

This is the best place to begin loading your advertisements.

Recommended Project Structure

Assets
└── Scripts
    └── Ads
        ├── AdManager.cs
        ├── BannerAds.cs
        ├── InterstitialAds.cs
        ├── RewardedAds.cs
        └── AppOpenAds.cs

Initialize Only Once

Do NOT initialize the SDK every time a scene loads.

Incorrect:

Main Menu
↓

Initialize

↓

Gameplay

↓

Initialize Again ❌

Correct:

Game Starts

↓

Initialize SDK ✅

↓

Load Ads

↓

Show Ads

Singleton Example

For production projects, use a single AdManager.

public class AdManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    public static AdManager Instance;

    void Awake()
    {
        if (Instance == null)
        {
            Instance = this;
            DontDestroyOnLoad(gameObject);
        }
        else
        {
            Destroy(gameObject);
        }
    }
}

This keeps the AdManager alive across all scenes.

Verify Initialization

If initialization succeeds, the Unity Console should display:

Google Mobile Ads SDK Initialized

If you see this message, the SDK is ready.

Common Mistakes

❌ Initializing more than once

❌ Loading ads before initialization

❌ Missing namespace

❌ Dependency Resolver not executed

❌ Using an outdated SDK version

Best Practices

Initialize once.
Keep one AdManager.
Load ads only after initialization.
Use test ads during development.
Separate Android and iOS App IDs.

Next Step

Continue with:

➡️ Banner Ads

Related Guides

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