Google Maps not working in derived apk (published app)

Question

Ok, I want to preface that I have tried multiple solutions such as:

Android Studio - Google map still blank on real Android device

Android Google Maps API in

Answer 1

Ok, I just solved it (after making this post 13 minutes ago).

So after implementing this solution

Android Studio - Google map still blank on real Android device

I noticed that this error in my Android Monitor when running the apk from my phone:

Android Application (;): ;

So I just copied the SHA1 fingerprint, added it to the API credential restrictions and saved it. And after a few minutes, ran the app again, and it worked.

No need to reupload/update apk.

Hope this helped anyone else.