android - Google Maps are not showing up in a signed apk

Question

I know this is a common question and usually the solution is to generate a separate key for release. I've done it several times and my API key in developers console contains two different SHA1-fingerprints: one for debug from AndroidStudio and on for release from my own keystore. I have signed the app with the same keystore and enabled Google Maps Android API v2 in the console. But still the maps activity shows just the white screen with 'Google' in the left bottom corner.

Are there any suggestions how to solve the problem?

Answer 1

It sounds like you only have the API key entered in the debug google_maps_api.xml. Also, it sounds like you're using the same API key for debug and release, but you still need to enter it in the google_maps_api.xml under the release folder as well as the one in the debug folder.

It's a little confusing, because when the project is in Android view, you can only see the debug file (although it should have (debug) in parenthesis next to it in that view).

In order to modify the release version, switch to Project view by using the dropdown in the upper left of the Project Explorer. Then, expand app/src/, and you will see subfolders debug and release. Under there, you should see two separate google_maps_api.xml files under debug/res/values and release/res/values.

Make sure that the API key is populated in the google_maps_api.xml file under the release/res/values folder, since this is the one that will be used for the signed release apk.