AI-generated Key Takeaways
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This guide explains how to set up the deprecated Navigation SDK for Android (v4.99 and earlier) and directs users to updated instructions for v5.0 or later.
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Setup requires a Google Cloud Project with Navigation SDK enabled, an Android app targeting API level 30 or higher, Google Play services installed, and proper attributions.
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The Navigation SDK can be added using Maven dependencies (recommended), the original Maven repository (for older versions or Driver SDK compatibility), or an AAR bundle (not recommended).
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Build configuration involves updating
local.propertiesandbuild.gradlefiles with specific settings and dependencies. -
Maven dependencies are the preferred method, AAR bundles will be discontinued, Google Play services Maps SDK should be excluded to avoid conflicts, and sample apps offer the latest dependency information.
This guide lists the build configuration requirements for using the Navigation SDK for Android. The instructions assume you have an Android IDE installed and are familiar with Android development.
Minimum requirements for using Navigation SDK
These requirements apply to Navigation SDK for Android version 4.99 and earlier.
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project with the Navigation SDK enabled. For provisioning, ask your Google Maps Platform representative.
Your app must target API level 30 or higher.
To run an app built with the Navigation SDK, the Android device must have Google Play services installed and enabled.
Attributions and licensing text must be added to the app.
Set up your projects: Cloud console project and Android project
Before you can build or test an app, you need to create a Cloud console project and add API key credentials. The project must have provisioning to access the Navigation SDK. All keys within the Cloud console project are granted the same access to the Navigation SDK. A key can have more than one development project associated with it. If you already have a console project, you can add a key to your current project.
To set up
- In your favorite web browser, sign in to the Cloud console and create your Cloud console project.
- In your IDE, such as Android Studio, create an Android app development project and note the package name.
- Contact your Google Maps Platform representative to provide access to the Navigation SDK for your Cloud console project.
- While on the Cloud console dashboard in your web browser, create credentials to generate an API key with restrictions.
- On the API key page, click Android apps in the Application restrictions area.
- Click Add the package name and fingerprint, and then enter the package name of your development project and the SHA-1 fingerprint for that key.
- Click Save.
Add the Navigation SDK to your project
The Navigation SDK is available using Maven, or as an AAR bundle. After you create your development project, you can integrate the SDK into it by using one of the following approaches.
Use Maven for Navigation SDK v4.5 and later (recommended)
The following uses the google() Maven repository, which is the simplest and
recommended way to add Navigation SDK to your project
Add the following dependency to your Gradle or Maven configuration, substituting the
VERSION_NUMBERplaceholder for the version of Navigation SDK for Android.Gradle
Add the following to your module-level
build.gradle:dependencies { ... implementation 'com.google.android.libraries.navigation:navigation:VERSION_NUMBER' }If upgrading from the original Maven repository, note that the group and artifact names have changed, and the
com.google.cloud.artifactregistry.gradle-pluginplugin is no longer necessary.And add the following to your top-level
build.gradle:allprojects { ... // Required: you must exclude the Google Play service Maps SDK from // your transitive dependencies to make nsure there won't be // multiple copies of Google Maps SDK in your binary, as the Navigation // SDK already bundles the Google Maps SDK. configurations { implementation { exclude group: 'com.google.android.gms', module: 'play-services-maps' } } }Maven
Add the following to your
pom.xml:<dependencies> ... <dependency> <groupId>com.google.android.libraries.navigation</groupId> <artifactId>navigation</artifactId> <version>VERSION_NUMBER</version> </dependency> </dependencies>If you have any dependencies that use the Maps SDK, you have to exclude the dependency in each declared dependency that relies on the Maps SDK.
<dependencies> <dependency> <groupId>project.that.brings.in.maps</groupId> <artifactId>MapsConsumer</artifactId> <version>1.0</version> <exclusions> <!-- Navigation SDK already bundles Maps SDK. You must exclude it to prevent duplication--> <exclusion> <!-- declare the exclusion here --> <groupId>com.google.android.gms</groupId> <artifactId>play-services-maps</artifactId> </exclusion> </exclusions> </dependency> </dependencies>
Use Maven for Navigation SDK prior to v4.5, or with Driver SDK
Navigation SDK continues to be available using the original Maven
repository through the remainder of the v4 versions. This is the same library
with all the same updates as the version above, and provides compatibility with
Driver SDK and other libraries during the transition.
Using this dependency requires logging into your cloud project using gcloud
when compiling.
- Set up your environment to access Google's Maven repository as described in the Prerequisites section of the Consumer SDK documentation. Access to the Navigation SDK is controlled through a workspace group.
Add the following dependency to your Gradle or Maven configuration, substituting the
VERSION_NUMBERplaceholder for the version of Navigation SDK.Gradle
Add the following to your module-level
build.gradle:dependencies { ... implementation 'com.google.android.maps:navsdk:VERSION_NUMBER' }And add the following to your top-level
build.gradle:allprojects { ... // Required: you must exclude the Google Play service Maps SDK from // your transitive dependencies to make sure there won't be // multiple copies of Google Maps SDK in your binary, as the Navigation // SDK already bundles the Google Maps SDK. configurations { implementation { exclude group: 'com.google.android.gms', module: 'play-services-maps' } } }Maven
Add the following to your
pom.xml:<dependencies> ... <dependency> <groupId>com.google.android.maps</groupId> <artifactId>navsdk</artifactId> <version>VERSION_NUMBER</version> </dependency> </dependencies>If you have any dependencies that use the Maps SDK, you have to exclude the dependency in each declared dependency that relies on the Maps SDK.
<dependencies> <dependency> <groupId>project.that.brings.in.maps</groupId> <artifactId>MapsConsumer</artifactId> <version>1.0</version> <exclusions> <!-- Navigation SDK already bundles Maps SDK. You must exclude it to prevent duplication--> <exclusion> <!-- declare the exclusion here --> <groupId>com.google.android.gms</groupId> <artifactId>play-services-maps</artifactId> </exclusion> </exclusions> </dependency> </dependencies>
Use a downloaded AAR bundle (not recommended)
The Navigation SDK is also available as an AAR bundle. After creating the development project, you can integrate the SDK. These instructions assume the use of Android Studio for your IDE.
Download the latest version of the Navigation SDK from the shared Google Drive and extract it. If you don't have access, contact your representative.
In Android Studio, open a project and add the Google Play services package using the SDK Manager.
From the zip file directory, copy
libs/google_navigation_navmap.aarinto your project'sapp/libsdirectory.Add the following to your module-level
build.gradle:implementation(name: 'google_navigation_navmap', ext: 'aar')And add the following to your top-level
build.gradle:allprojects { ... // Required: you must exclude the Google Play service Maps SDK from // your transitive dependencies to make sure there won't be // multiple copies of Google Maps SDK in your binary, as the Navigation // SDK already bundles the Google Maps SDK. configurations { implementation { exclude group: 'com.google.android.gms', module: 'play-services-maps' } } }
Configure the build
After you have created the project, you can configure the settings for a successful build and use of the Navigation SDK.
Update local properties
- In the Gradle Scripts folder, open the
local.propertiesfile and addandroid.useDeprecatedNdk=true.
Update the Gradle build script
Open the
build.gradle (Module:app)file and use the following guidelines to update the settings to meet the requirements for Navigation SDK and consider setting the optimization options as well.Required settings for Navigation SDK
- Set
minSdkVersionto 23 or above. - Set
targetSdkVersionto 30 or above. - Add a
dexOptionssetting that increases thejavaMaxHeapSize. - Set the location for additional libraries.
- Add the
repositoriesanddependenciesfor the Navigation SDK. - Replace the version numbers in the dependencies with the latest available versions.
Optional settings to decrease build time
- Enable code shrinking and resource shrinking using R8/ProGuard to remove unused code and resources from dependencies. If the R8/ProGuard step takes too much time to run, consider enabling multidex for development work.
- Reduce the number of language translations included in the build: Set
resConfigsfor one language during development. For the final build, setresConfigsfor languages you actually use. By default, Gradle includes resource strings for all languages supported by the Navigation SDK.
- Set
Below is an example of the Gradle build script for the application. Check the sample apps for updated sets of dependencies, as the version of Navigation SDK you are using may be slightly ahead or behind this documentation.
apply plugin: 'com.android.application'
apply plugin: 'com.google.cloud.artifactregistry.gradle-plugin'
ext {
androidxVersion = "1.0.0"
lifecycle_version = "1.1.1"
}
android {
compileSdkVersion 30
buildToolsVersion '28.0.3'
defaultConfig {
applicationId "<your id>"
// Navigation SDK supports SDK 23 and later.
minSdkVersion 23
targetSdkVersion 30
versionCode 1
versionName "1.0"
// Set this to the languages you actually use, otherwise you'll include resource strings
// for all languages supported by the Navigation SDK.
resConfigs "en"
multiDexEnabled true
}
dexOptions {
// This increases the amount of memory available to the dexer. This is required to build
// apps using the Navigation SDK.
javaMaxHeapSize "4g"
}
buildTypes {
// Run ProGuard. Note that the Navigation SDK includes its own ProGuard configuration.
// The configuration is included transitively by depending on the Navigation SDK.
// If the ProGuard step takes too long, consider enabling multidex for development work
// instead.
all {
minifyEnabled true
proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
}
}
compileOptions {
sourceCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
targetCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
}
}
// This tells Gradle where to look to find additional libraries - in this case, the
// google_navigation_navmap.aar file.
repositories {
flatDir {
dirs 'libs'
}
google()
// Required for accessing the Navigation SDK on Google's Maven repository.
maven {
url "artifactregistry://us-west2-maven.pkg.dev/gmp-artifacts/transportation"
}
}
dependencies {
// Include the Google Navigation SDK
implementation 'com.google.android.maps:navsdk:4.4.0'
// The included AAR file under libs can be used instead of the Maven repository.
// Uncomment the line below and comment out the previous dependency to use
// the AAR file instead. Make sure that you add the AAR file to the libs directory.
// implementation(name: 'google_navigation_navmap', ext: 'aar')
// These dependencies are required for the Navigation SDK to function
// properly at runtime.
implementation 'org.chromium.net:cronet-fallback:69.3497.100'
// Optional for Cronet users:
// implementation 'org.chromium.net:cronet-api:69.3497.100'
implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:${androidxVersion}'
implementation 'androidx.cardview:cardview:${androidxVersion}'
implementation 'com.google.android.material:material:${androidxVersion}'
implementation 'androidx.mediarouter:mediarouter:${androidxVersion}'
implementation 'androidx.preference:preference:${androidxVersion}'
implementation 'androidx.recyclerview:recyclerview:${androidxVersion}'
implementation 'androidx.legacy:legacy-support-v4:${androidxVersion}'
implementation 'com.github.bumptech.glide:glide:4.9.0'
implementation 'com.github.bumptech.glide:okhttp-integration:4.9.0'
implementation 'android.arch.lifecycle:common-java8:$lifecycle_version'
implementation 'com.android.support:multidex:1.0.3'
implementation 'com.google.android.datatransport:transport-api:2.2.0'
implementation 'com.google.android.datatransport:transport-backend-cct:2.2.0'
implementation 'com.google.android.datatransport:transport-runtime:2.2.0'
implementation 'joda-time:joda-time:2.9.9'
annotationProcessor 'androidx.annotation:annotation:1.1.0'
annotationProcessor 'com.github.bumptech.glide:compiler:4.9.0'
}
Add the API key to your app
This section describes how to store your API key so that it can be securely referenced by
your app. You should not check your API key into your version control system, so we recommend
storing it in the secrets.properties file, which is located in the root directory of your
project. For more information about the secrets.properties file, see
Gradle properties files.
To streamline this task, we recommend that you use the Secrets Gradle Plugin for Android.
To install the Secrets Gradle Plugin for Android in your Google Maps project:
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In Android Studio, open your top-level
build.gradle.ktsorbuild.gradlefile and add the following code to thedependencieselement underbuildscript.Kotlin
plugins { alias(libs.plugins.android.application) apply false alias(libs.plugins.jetbrains.kotlin.android) apply false alias(libs.plugins.kotlin.compose) apply false alias(libs.plugins.secrets.gradle.plugin) apply false }
Groovy
buildscript { dependencies { classpath "com.google.android.libraries.mapsplatform.secrets-gradle-plugin:secrets-gradle-plugin:2.0.1" } }
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Open your module-level
build.gradle.ktsorbuild.gradlefile and add the following code to thepluginselement.Kotlin
plugins { // ... alias(libs.plugins.secrets.gradle.plugin) }
Groovy
plugins { // ... id 'com.google.android.libraries.mapsplatform.secrets-gradle-plugin' }
- In your module-level
build.gradle.ktsorbuild.gradlefile, ensure thattargetSdkandcompileSdkare set to 34. - Sync your project with Gradle.
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Open the
secrets.propertiesfile in your top-level directory, and then add the following code. ReplaceYOUR_API_KEYwith your API key. Store your key in this file becausesecrets.propertiesis excluded from being checked into a version control system.MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
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Create the
local.defaults.propertiesfile in your top-level directory, the same folder as thesecrets.propertiesfile, and then add the following code.MAPS_API_KEY=DEFAULT_API_KEY
The purpose of this file is to provide a backup location for the API key if the
secrets.propertiesfile is not found so that builds don't fail. This can happen if you clone the app from a version control system which omitssecrets.propertiesand you have not yet created asecrets.propertiesfile locally to provide your API key. -
In your
AndroidManifest.xmlfile, go tocom.google.android.geo.API_KEYand update theandroid:value attribute. If the<meta-data>tag does not exist, create it as a child of the<application>tag.<meta-data android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY" android:value="${MAPS_API_KEY}" />
Note:
com.google.android.geo.API_KEYis the recommended metadata name for the API key. A key with this name can be used to authenticate to multiple Google Maps-based APIs on the Android platform, including the Navigation SDK for Android. For backwards compatibility, the API also supports the namecom.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY. This legacy name allows authentication to the Android Maps API v2 only. An application can specify only one of the API key metadata names. If both are specified, the API throws an exception. -
In Android Studio, open your module-level
build.gradle.ktsorbuild.gradlefile and edit thesecretsproperty. If thesecretsproperty does not exist, add it.Edit the properties of the plugin to set
propertiesFileNametosecrets.properties, setdefaultPropertiesFileNametolocal.defaults.properties, and set any other properties.Kotlin
secrets { // To add your Maps API key to this project: // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file. // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key: // MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties" // A properties file containing default secret values. This file can be // checked in version control. defaultPropertiesFileName = "local.defaults.properties" }
Groovy
secrets { // To add your Maps API key to this project: // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file. // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key: // MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties" // A properties file containing default secret values. This file can be // checked in version control. defaultPropertiesFileName = "local.defaults.properties" }
Include the required attributions in your app
If you use the Navigation SDK for Android in your app, you must include attribution text and open source licenses as part of your app's legal notices section.
You can find the required attribution text and open source licenses in the Navigation SDK for Android zip file:
NOTICE.txtLICENSES.txt