Google Releases Updated Maps for iOS SDK, Opens API Keys to All Developers - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Google Releases Updated Maps for iOS SDK, Opens API Keys to All Developers

by

googlemapsWhen Google released Google Maps for iOS in December, it also announced an SDK that iOS developers could use to implement Google Maps in their apps rather than Apple's mapping solution.

Tonight, Google announced an updated Maps SDK that adds ground overlay support and makes API keys available to all developers via the Google API Console. Previously, developers had to register and wait to be granted access to keys.

Now that keys are freely available, it's likely that more developers will use Google Maps in their apps. Some developers may decide to allow users to choose between Google and Apple's maps, much like the recently released Sunrise calendar app.


Google has also included a sample app in the SDK that developers can use to learn how to use Google Maps in their apps and released a video (above) demonstrating some of the SDK's features.

Top Rated Comments

P
pacohaas
176 months ago
Maybe Apple should think about using this API in their Maps app :D.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
PantherCreek
176 months ago
Am I the only one that actually likes Apple Maps? :P

I like them too, but I live in an area where I have had no issues with Apple maps.

I do think that choices help foster competition, and competition between Google and Apple, albeit outside of the courtrooms, really will benifit the consumers the most.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
APlotdevice Avatar
APlotdevice
176 months ago
Am I the only one that actually likes Apple Maps? :P
It's alright. I don't have a big problem with the inaccuracies, as Google's own maps are hardly flawless.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
samcraig
176 months ago
Why do you need Google maps for iPad? Do you need 8-10" GPS display in your car? Plug in 40" Plasma then, and get over with it.

Or perhaps you can consider that someone has a use case different from yours and instead of being snarky - just choose to not comment?

Since Apple was paying Google major amounts of money every year for Google Maps (high eight or low nine digits), and stopped paying a penny to Google for map data since, I doubt that Google didn't know about this.

Were they? Or was it a revenue split? And are we sure Google didn't pay Apple for placement on their iOS?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lamina Avatar
lamina
176 months ago
Where is Google Maps for iPad? Apple Maps is cool too, but COME ON.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
BvizioN
176 months ago
This thread is about Google Maps, it is you Apple Maps apologists that insist on spoons your 'Apple Maps works for me so it must work for everyone' in every Google Maps related thread.

This thread is about Google Maps in MacRumors forum which happen to be a forum about Apple discussions! Get it? You do? Good for you!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Pre-Orders and Release Date

Thursday August 20, 2026 8:00 am PDT by
Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern. As usual, the iPhone event is expected to take place in the first half of September. Labor Day falls on September 7 this year. The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to...
Read Full Article • 20 comments
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Gurman: iPhone Ultra Wows Early Testers, Except for Its Camera

Sunday August 23, 2026 11:19 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra is winning over the few people who have had hands-on time with the device, though the camera setup may leave some users wanting, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says people who have used the device – which is reportedly referred to internally as the iPhone Ultra – like how it fits in your...
Read Full Article • 204 comments
macOS 27 next to MacBook Pro Running macOS 27

macOS Golden Gate Marks the End of an Era

Thursday August 20, 2026 2:19 pm PDT by
macOS 27 Golden Gate is not compatible with any Macs with Intel processors, marking the end of an era. The update, which is currently in beta ahead of a release later this year, is limited to Apple silicon Macs with an M1 chip or newer. Last year, Apple said that macOS 26 Tahoe would be the final macOS release compatible with Intel-based Macs, so this was an expected development. Intel...
Read Full Article