Google Maps API V2 - always get authentication error

Question

I found lots of questions regarding this - and I am almost ashamed to ask it myself.

But no matter how hard I try, I simple do not get the Maps API running

Answer 1

Assuming

• you are trying this on a device that has access to Google Play Services
• you have linked your project with the Google Play Services library
• you have setup the necessary permissions like this:

snippet from manifest:

<!-- Specify the correct minSDK and targetSDK versions. -->
<uses-sdk
    android:minSdkVersion="8"
    android:targetSdkVersion="17" />

<!-- Google Maps related permissions -->
<permission
    android:name="com.ecs.google.maps.v2.actionbarsherlock.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE"
    android:protectionLevel="signature" />

<uses-permission android:name="com.example.mapdemo.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE" />

<!-- Network connectivity permissions -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />

<!-- Access Google based webservices -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES" />

<!-- External storage for caching. -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

<!-- My Location -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_MOCK_LOCATION" />
<!-- Maps API needs OpenGL ES 2.0. -->
<uses-feature
    android:glEsVersion="0x00020000"
    android:required="true" />

• you have setup the map key like this :

• you have put the meta-data tag inside the application tag

  <meta-data
      android:name="com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY"
      android:value="AIzaSyA_u1faIXRhx_Q7NafFbrhQJEerl6UUbPY" />
  

• you made sure that you are building the APK with the correct keystore (corresponding to the one defined in the API console).

• you removed and redeployed your application completely after checking / updating these steps you should be good to go.

From my experience I was able to follow the instructions on Google Maps Android API v2 Getting started, but I do recall having to completely undeploy and redeploy the app again after playing around with the API keys / permissions.

On what device are you running ?