diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-deploy-merge.yml b/.github/workflows/build-deploy-merge.yml
index 5167eca..dffd997 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-deploy-merge.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-deploy-merge.yml
@@ -40,15 +40,16 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install Firebase CLI
         run: npm install -g firebase-tools
 
-      - name: Create service account file
-        run: echo '${{ secrets.FIREBASE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_BS3APP_DFB63 }}' > $HOME/gcloud.json
+      - name: Authenticate to Google Cloud
+        uses: google-github-actions/auth@v2
+        with:
+          credentials_json: '${{ secrets.FIREBASE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_BS3APP_DFB63 }}'
 
       - name: Deploy functions
         run: firebase deploy --only functions --project bs3app-dfb63
         working-directory: ./bs3-functions
         env:
           PERPLEXITY_SONAR_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.PERPLEXITY_SONAR_API_KEY }}
-          GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS: $HOME/gcloud.json
       
       - name: Deploy to Firebase Hosting
         uses: FirebaseExtended/action-hosting-deploy@v0