diff --git a/mobile/README.md b/mobile/README.md
index 17ac7d81..215ce5ee 100644
--- a/mobile/README.md
+++ b/mobile/README.md
@@ -66,7 +66,12 @@ eas build --platform all
 
 ### Android-specific
 
-- Add a `google-services.json` file (from Firebase Console) to the `mobile/` directory for push notification support
+- **Android push notifications** require a `google-services.json` file from Firebase Console. This file is intentionally excluded from the repository (`.gitignore`). To enable FCM push notifications in your Android builds:
+  1. Create a Firebase project at <https://console.firebase.google.com/>
+  2. Add an Android app with the package name `org.docuelevate.mobile`
+  3. Download `google-services.json` and place it in the `mobile/` directory
+  4. Add `"googleServicesFile": "./google-services.json"` back to the `android` section of `app.json` before building
+- The app runs and bundles correctly without `google-services.json`; only Android push notifications will be unavailable
 - For Play Store submission: create a service account in Google Play Console, download the JSON key as `google-play-service-account.json`, and update `eas.json`
 
 ## Configuration
diff --git a/mobile/app.json b/mobile/app.json
index 7cc083c7..c3996187 100644
--- a/mobile/app.json
+++ b/mobile/app.json
@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@
         "RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED",
         "VIBRATE"
       ],
-      "versionCode": 1,
-      "googleServicesFile": "./google-services.json"
+      "versionCode": 1
     },
     "web": {
       "favicon": "./assets/favicon.png"