# Dynamic configuration in Java with Server-Side Firebase Remote Config

DevFeed: [Dynamic configuration in Java with Server-Side Firebase Remote Config](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/dynamic-configuration-in-java-with-server-side-firebase-remote-config-23887.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://medium.com/firebase-developers/dynamic-configuration-in-java-using-server-side-firebase-remote-config-9d30a3c2e1a1?source=rss----8e8b7dc6774d---4>)

Author: Athira M

Published: 2025-10-24T06:33:20Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Firebase Developers - Medium](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/firebase-developers-medium.md>)

Topics: [Firebase](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/firebase.md>), [Java](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/java.md>), [Back end](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/backend.md>), [SDKs](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/sdks.md>), [feature flags](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/feature-flags.md>), [Firebase console](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/firebase-console.md>)

Tags: [backend](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/backend.md>), [feature-flags](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/feature-flags.md>), [firebase](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/firebase.md>), [firebase-console](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/firebase-console.md>), [firebase-remote-config](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/firebase-remote-config.md>), [java](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/java.md>), [maven](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/maven.md>), [remote-config](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/remote-config.md>), [sdks](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/sdks.md>)

## AI overview

This tutorial explains how to use server-side Firebase Remote Config with Java to externalize backend configuration and feature flags. It describes how the Java server fetches the full configuration template, evaluates conditions locally through the SDK, initializes the Firebase Admin SDK, defines safe defaults, and evaluates parameters using runtime context.

## Source excerpt

Dynamic Configuration in JavaUsing Server-Side Firebase Remote Config Firebase Remote Config is a powerful, cloud-based service that lets you dynamically change your app's behavior and appearance without requiring users to update your app. It's been a game-changer for feature flags and dynamic theming on mobile and web platforms. But what about your backend, or your critical API or Java micro-service? The great news is that Firebase has expanded its support, bringing this powerful tool to the server side with SDKs for Node.js, Python, Go, and Java. This allows you to control server behavior and externalize configuration directly from the Firebase console. The key difference: where evaluation happens If you're familiar with client-side Remote Config, you know the client makes a request, and the Firebase service returns the final, evaluated configuration. The server-side model is fundamentally different: The Java server fetches the entire configuration template (parameters, values, and conditions) from the Remote Config service. The Java server then performs the condition evaluation locally, using the SDK. This shift means your server is in control, making local decisions based on attributes like user ID, location, or subscription tier. This is efficient and perfect for dynamic server logic. 🛠 Setting up Remote Config in Java Let's walk through how to integrate this into your backend, using a Payment Gateway Feature Flag as our running example. Step 1: Add the Firebase Admin SDK First, add the Firebase Admin SDK dependency to your project's configuration file (e.g., pom.xml for Maven). <dependency> <groupId>com.google.firebase</groupId> <artifactId>firebase-admin</artifactId> <version>9.7.0</version> </dependency>Step 2: Initialize the Admin SDK Your server needs secure access to Firebase. We'll use a Service Account to initialize the Admin SDK. import com.google.auth.oauth2.GoogleCredentials; import com.google.firebase.FirebaseApp; import com.google.firebase.Firebas