Install and configure the Google Play services SDK, which includes the Maps SDK for Android. Note: If you use the Maps SDK for Android with a Google Maps Platform Premium Plan license, you must download and configure the Premium Plan SDK instead. Get an API key. To do this, you will need to register a project in the Google Cloud Platform. Offline maps that you downloaded on your phone or tablet need to be updated before they expire. When your offline maps expire in 15 days or less, Google Maps will try to update the area automatically when you're connected to Wi-Fi.
This guide is a quick start to adding a map to an Android app. AndroidStudio is the recommended development environment for buildingan app with the Maps SDK for Android.
To download routes using your cellular data, open Google Maps and open its side menu, then tap on 'Offline maps.' From there, hit the cog shaped settings button in the top-right, and either tap on 'Download preferences, followed by 'Over Wi-Fi or mobile network' on the popup prompt (Android), or simply select 'Over Wi-Fi or mobile network' from. The Google Maps app for Android phones and tablets makes navigating your world faster and easier. Find the best spots in town and the information you need to get there. Google Maps is the most popular navigation apps around the world. Almost every android user gets this app per-installed in their smartphones. Maps from GoogleRead More.
Step 1. Download Android Studio
Follow the guides to download and installAndroid Studio.
Step 2. Install the Google Play services SDK
Add Google Play services to Android Studio.
Step 3. Create a Google Maps project
Follow these steps to create a new app project including a map activity:
- Start Android Studio.
- Create a new project as follows:
- If you see the Welcome to Android Studio dialog, choose Start a newAndroid Studio project, available under 'Quick Start' on the right ofthe dialog.
- Otherwise, click File in the Android Studio menu bar, then New,New Project.
- In the Choose your project dialog, select the tab that corresponds to the platform you intended to develop for. Most users will want to keep the default Phone and Tablet.
- Select Google Maps Activity, then click Next.
- Enter your app name, package name, and project location, programming language (Java or Kotlin), and the minimum Android API level supported by your app, then click Finish.
Android Studio starts Gradle and builds your project. This may take a fewseconds. For more information about creating a project in Android Studio,see the Android Studio documentation.
When the build is finished, Android Studio opens the
google_maps_api.xml
andthe MapsActivity.java
files in the editor. (Note that your activity may havea different name, but it will be the one you configured during setup.) Noticethat the google_maps_api.xml
file contains instructions on getting aGoogle Maps API key before you try to run the application. The next sectiondescribes getting the API key in more detail.Step 4. Get a Google Maps API key
Your application needs an API key to access the Google Maps servers. The type ofkey you need is an API key with restriction for Android apps. The key isfree. You can use it with any of your applications that call theMaps SDK for Android, and it supports an unlimited number of users.
Choose one of the following ways to get your API key from Android Studio:
- The fast, easy way: Use the link provided in the
google_maps_api.xml
file that Android Studio created for you:- Copy the link provided in the
google_maps_api.xml
file and paste it into your browser. The link takes you to the Google Cloud Platform Console and supplies the required information to the Google Cloud Platform Console via URL parameters, thus reducing the manual input required from you. - Follow the instructions to create a new project on the Google Cloud Platform Console or select an existing project.
- Create an Android-restricted API key for your project.
- Copy the resulting API key, go back to Android Studio, and paste the API key into the <string> element in the
google_maps_api.xml
file.
- Copy the link provided in the
- A slightly less fast way: Use the credentials provided in the
google_maps_api.xml
file that Android Studio created for you:- Copy the credentials provided in the
google_maps_api.xml
file. - Go to the Google Cloud Platform Console in your browser.
- Use the copied credentials to add your app to an existing API key or to create a new API key.
- Copy the credentials provided in the
- The full process for getting an API key: If neither of the above optionsworks for your situation, see Get an API Key.
Step 5. Hello Map! Take a look at the code
Examine the code supplied by the template. In particular, look at the followingfiles in your Android Studio project.
The XML layout file
By default, the XML file that defines the app's layout is at
res/layout/activity_maps.xml
. It contains the following code:The maps activity Java file
By default, the Java file that defines the maps activity is named
MapsActivity.java
. It should contain the following code after yourpackage name:If your maps activity file doesn't contain the above code, replace the contentsof the file with the above code, after your package name.
Step 6. Connect an Android device
The simplest way to see your app in action is to connect an Android device toyour computer. Follow the instructions to enable developeroptions on your Android device and configure your application and systemto detect the device.
Download Local Maps On Google Maps For Android Download
Alternatively, you can use the Android Emulator to run your app. Use theAndroid Virtual Device (AVD) Manager to configure one or morevirtual devices which you'll be able to use with the Android Emulator whenyou build and run your app. When choosing your emulator, ensure that you useAndroid 4.2.2 or higher, and be careful to pick an image that includes theGoogle APIs, or the application will not have the requisite runtime APIs inorder to execute. Also, take note of the instructions forconfiguring virtual machine acceleration, which youshould use with an x86 target AVD as described in the instructions. Thiswill improve your experience with the emulator.
Step 7. Build and run your app
In Android Studio, click the Run menu option (or the play button icon) torun your app.
When prompted to choose a device, choose one of the following options:
- Select the Android device that's connected to your computer.
- Alternatively, select the Launch emulator radio button and choose thevirtual device that you've previously configured.
Click OK. Android Studio will invoke Gradle to build your app, and thendisplay the results on the device or on the emulator. It could take a couple ofminutes before the app opens.
You should see a map with a marker positioned over Sydney, Australia. If youdon't see a map, confirm that you've completed all the steps described on thispage. In particular, check that you've added an API key as describedabove.
Next steps
You may wish to look at some sample code.
Google Maps For Android Instructions
You can read more about map objects in the developer's guide.