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
175 months ago
Maybe Apple should think about using this API in their Maps app :D.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
PantherCreek
175 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
175 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
175 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
175 months ago
Where is Google Maps for iPad? Apple Maps is cool too, but COME ON.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
BvizioN
175 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

apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple

Apple to Overhaul Mac Lineup With 11 New Models

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to refresh every Mac it sells over the next two years, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The plans come amid a Mac resurgence, with sales projected to climb for a third consecutive year, partly thanks to a growing following among users who lean on the machines for demanding, agent-based AI workloads. The wave of new Macs will begin this fall with a refreshed...
Read Full Article • 125 comments
macbook ultra

'MacBook Ultra' Coming Soon With These 12 New Features

Friday July 24, 2026 6:00 pm PDT by
Apple's first high-end MacBook redesign in five years is expected to arrive in the near future, bringing a run of firsts to the Mac. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the laptop to arrive between late 2026 and early 2027, with the later window now looking more likely owing to the global memory chip shortage. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects mass production to begin by late 2026. Apple last...
Read Full Article • 150 comments
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Feature

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" leasing program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during...
Read Full Article • 213 comments