Announcement

Release 20.0.0

The Maps SDK for Android version 20.0.0 is now available. See the Release Notes for information about this release and for all previous releases.

If you are a new user, see Set Up in the Google Cloud Console to start the installation process.

If you are an existing customer, see the upgrade instructions at Versions.

Feature

The Maps SDK now supports Transit layer. You can display the public transit network of a city on your map using the setTransitEnabled() method. For more information, see Set up the transit layer.

Deprecated

This release removed the deprecated org.apache.http.legacy library from the SDK's AndroidManifest.xml. In applications that load the legacy map renderer, this deprecation will introduce a regression causing java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError crashes.

In order to resolve this issue and ensure that the necessary legacy Apache HTTP library is available to your application, you must add the following line within the <application> tag of your own app's AndroidManifest.xml:

<uses-library android:name="org.apache.http.legacy" android:required="false" />

Announcement

Release 19.2.0

The Maps SDK for Android version 19.2.0 is now available. See the Release Notes for information about this release and for all previous releases.

If you are a new user, see Set Up in the Google Cloud Console to start the installation process.

If you are an existing customer, see the upgrade instructions at Versions.

Announcement

As of this release, crosswalks, sidewalks, and road lane markings may be visible on the map in certain metropolitan areas worldwide. Lane markings may not be visible on all roads even in areas where they are supported. The areas where these elements are visible may vary over time. When visible, crosswalks and sidewalk elements can be styled using Cloud-based map styling.

Feature

You can now use data-driven styling for datasets with your apps. Data-driven styling for datasets lets you upload your own geospatial datasets, apply custom styling to their data features, and display those data features on maps.

For more information and examples, see Data-driven styling for datasets.

Feature

The Maps SDK now supports data-driven styling for boundaries. Data-driven styling for boundaries lets you access Google's polygons for administrative boundaries, apply styling to boundary polygons, display them on your maps.

For more information, see Data-driven styling for boundaries.

Announcement

Release 19.0.0

The Maps SDK for Android version 19.0.0 is now available. See the Release Notes for information about this release and for all previous releases.

If you are a new user, see Set Up in the Google Cloud Console to start the installation process.

If you are an existing customer, see the upgrade instructions at Versions.

Feature

Updated the default colors for maps to match the new colors that are already available in the Google Maps app. For more information, see New map style for Google Maps Platform.

Feature

You can now set the map color scheme to dark, light, or to use the system settings.

For more information and examples, see Configure a map.

Change

When you choose to upgrade your app to Maps SDK for Android version 19.0.0, you must target a minSdkVersion of 21 (Android version 5.0.x, Lollipop) or higher. For example, in your app's build.gradle file:

android {
    compileSdk 34
     
    defaultConfig {
        minSdk 21
        // ...
    }
}

For more information, see Set up an Android Studio project.

Deprecated

Because we will be decommissioning the legacy map renderer, the MapsInitializer.Renderer.LEGACY value for the MapsInitializer.initialize() method in the Maps SDK for Android is deprecated as of Maps SDK for Android v19.0.0.

Instead, use the latest map renderer.

Change

In March of 2024, Google began to automatically update all the deployed apps on a device to use the upgraded renderer. Automatic updates will occur incrementally over the coming months based on the device, meaning your device might not be updated right away.

Automatic updates apply to all apps running on devices that meet the minimum device requirements, regardless of the version of the Maps SDK for Android used by the app.

If you encounter any issues, please file it by using our public issue tracker: https://issuetracker.google.com/savedsearches/6719309.

For more information, see New Map Renderer.

Change

In the initial release of the upgraded map renderer for Maps SDK for Android version 18.2.0, the device hosting the render required 2 GB or more of data storage. That requirement has been removed.

For more information, see New Map Renderer.

Feature

The Google Maps Platform now offers updated cloud-based maps styling in the Google Cloud Console, enhancing your ability to create a customized map experience for users of your Android applications. Learn more at New Cloud Styling Overview.

Announcement

Release 18.2.0

The Maps SDK for Android version 18.2.0 is now available. See the Release Notes for information about this release and for all previous releases.

If you are a new user, see Set Up in the Google Cloud Console to start the installation process.

If you are an existing customer, see the upgrade instructions at Versions.

Change

With the release of version 18.2.0 of the Maps SDK for Android, Google switched the default renderer from the legacy renderer to the upgraded map renderer. With version 18.2.0, the map renderer used when you build a new app or rebuild an existing app becomes the upgraded map renderer.

For more information, see New Map Renderer.

Feature

Support for advanced markers has been added to this release. With advanced markers you can create and customize highly performant markers. Customize the default marker's background, border, and glyph color, and replace the default marker icon with a custom graphic image.

For more information, see the advanced markers overview.

Change

We have updated the default image used for markers in the Maps SDK for Android. This change applies to all versions of the Maps SDK for Android.

Announcement

Release 18.1.0

The Maps SDK for Android version 18.1.0 is now available. See the Release Notes for information about this release and for all previous releases.

If you are a new user, see Set Up in the Google Cloud Console to start the installation process.

If you are an existing customer, see the upgrade instructions at Versions.

Announcement

With this release of Maps SDK for Android, we have moved the XML feed to a new location. Subscribe to the new location of the XML feed at:

https://developers.google.com/feeds/maps-sdk-android-release-notes.xml

Feature

Advanced polyline customizations have been released for general availability. For usage details, see Polyline customization.

Announcement

Google has released a new client library for Maps SDK for Android, version 18.1.0. To use this new version in your apps, be sure to update your dependencies to com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps:18.1.0.