diff --git a/docs/INSTALLATION.md b/docs/INSTALLATION.md
index f23a00c75..b815525a2 100644
--- a/docs/INSTALLATION.md
+++ b/docs/INSTALLATION.md
@@ -13,26 +13,28 @@
 This requires phonegap/cordova CLI 5.0+ ( current stable v1.5.3 )
 
 ```
-phonegap plugin add phonegap-plugin-push
+phonegap plugin add phonegap-plugin-push --variable SENDER_ID="XXXXXXX"
 ```
 or
 
 ```
-cordova plugin add phonegap-plugin-push
+cordova plugin add phonegap-plugin-push --variable SENDER_ID="XXXXXXX"
 ```
 
 It is also possible to install via repo url directly ( unstable )
 
 ```
-phonegap plugin add https://github.com/phonegap/phonegap-plugin-push
+phonegap plugin add https://github.com/phonegap/phonegap-plugin-push --variable SENDER_ID="XXXXXXX"
 ```
 
 or
 
 ```
-cordova plugin add https://github.com/phonegap/phonegap-plugin-push
+cordova plugin add https://github.com/phonegap/phonegap-plugin-push --variable SENDER_ID="XXXXXXX"
 ```
 
+Where the `XXXXXXX` in `SENDER_ID="XXXXXXX"` maps to the project number in the Google Developer Console. If you are not creating an Android application you can put in anything for this value.
+
 ## Android details
 
 ### Compilation
diff --git a/plugin.xml b/plugin.xml
index 30e6273f7..f61a3fc33 100755
--- a/plugin.xml
+++ b/plugin.xml
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
         <engine name="cordova-android" version=">=4.0.0" />
     </engines>
 
+    <preference name="SENDER_ID" />
+
 	<!-- android -->
 	<platform name="android">
 
@@ -34,6 +36,10 @@
 			</feature>
 		</config-file>
 
+        <config-file target="res/values/strings.xml" parent="/resources">
+            <string name="google_app_id">$SENDER_ID</string>
+        </config-file>
+
 		<config-file target="AndroidManifest.xml" parent="/manifest">
             <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
 			<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />