[android] Google Maps Android API v2 Authorization failure

Since I just wasted a lot of time getting the API to work, I will try to give a step-by-step validation for the Map API v2:

Step 1: Apply for your API key

If you are unfamiliar with the Google API console, read the very good answer of Rusfearuth above.

Step 2: Check you SHA Hash (in this case I use the debug key of eclipse):

On a Windows machine got to your user directory on a command prompt:

C:\Users\you>keytool -list -alias androiddebugkey -keystore .android\debug.keyst
ore -storepass android -keypass android

You will get something like:

androiddebugkey, 15.10.2012, PrivateKeyEntry,
Zertifikat-Fingerprint (SHA1): 66:XX:47:XX:1E:XX:FE:XX:DE:XX:EF:XX:98:XX:83:XX:9A:XX:23:A6

Then look at your package name of the map activity, e.g. com.example.mypackagename

You combine this and check that with your settings in the Google API console:

66:XX:47:XX:1E:XX:FE:XX:DE:XX:EF:XX:98:XX:83:XX:9A:XX:23:A6;com.example.mypackagename

where you get your API-key:

AZzaSyDhkhNotUseFullKey49ylKD2bw1HM

Step 3. Manifest meta data

Check if the meta-data are present and contain the right key. If you release your app, you need a different key.

    <meta-data
        android:name="com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY"
        android:value="AZzaSyDhkhNotUseFullKey49ylKD2bw1HM" />
    <meta-data
        android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
        android:value="@integer/google_play_services_version" />

Step 4. Manifest features:

You need this entry as the map API requires some grapics support:

<uses-feature
    android:glEsVersion="0x00020000"
    android:required="true" />

Do not worry, 99.7% of devices support this.

Step 5. Manifest library:

Add the google library.

    <uses-library
        android:name="com.google.android.maps"
        android:required="false" /> // This is required if you want your app to start in the emulator. I set it to false also if map is not an essential part of the application.

Step 6. Manifest permissions:

Check the package name twice: com.example.yourpackage

<permission
    android:name="com.example.yourpackage.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE"
    android:protectionLevel="signature" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.example.yourpackage.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE" />

Add the following permissions:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES" />

The following permissions are optional and not required if you just show a map. Try to not use them.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/>

Step 7. Include the map fragment into your layout:

<fragment
    android:id="@+id/map"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="0dp"
    android:layout_weight="1"
    class="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"
    map:cameraTargetLat="47.621120"
    map:cameraTargetLng="-122.349594"
    map:cameraZoom="15" />

If your release to 2.x Android versions you need to add support in your Activity:

import android.support.v4.app.FragmentActivity;

For the map: entries to work include

xmlns:map="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"

in your activity layout (e.g. LinearLayout).

In my case I have to clean the project each time I change something in the layout. Seems to be a bug.

Step 8: Use Eclipse - Project - Clean.

Enjoy!