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AI-generated Key Takeaways

• Advanced markers necessitate the utilization of the upgraded map renderer, available in Maps SDK for Android version 18.0.0 and later, and are enabled by default in version 18.2.0 and later.

• A crucial initial step involves creating a map ID within the Google Cloud console and integrating it into your map initialization code.

• It is imperative to verify if advanced markers are supported on the device using MapCapabilities.isAdvancedMarkersAvailable(), and to provide a fallback mechanism, such as standard markers, if they are not.

• Developers must ensure compatibility by checking device requirements for the new map renderer, as some devices might not support it.

Select platform: Android iOS JavaScript

Follow these steps to get set up with advanced markers.

Enable the new map renderer

An upgraded map renderer is available as of version 18.0.0 of the Maps SDK for Android. This renderer brings many improvements, including support for Cloud-based maps styling, to Maps SDK for Android.

With the release of version 18.2.0 of the Maps SDK for Android, Google switched the default renderer from the legacy renderer to the upgraded map renderer. This change means that the upgraded map renderer is now used by default in your app when you build a new app or rebuild an existing app.

Caution: To use advanced markers in your app, your app must be built using the upgraded map renderer. If you are adding advanced markers to an existing app, ensure that you rebuild the app so that your app uses the upgraded map renderer. For more information, see New Map Renderer.

Create a map ID

To create a new map ID, follow the steps at Create a map ID. Make sure you set the Map type to Android.

Important: For testing, you can skip the step of creating and configuring a map ID by using a map ID of DEMO_MAP_ID in your app code. DEMO_MAP_ID is intended for testing purposes only. Don't use DEMO_MAP_ID in a production environment.

Update your map initialization code

This step requires the map ID you just created. It can be found on your Maps Management page.

To add the map ID to your initialization code, see Add the map ID to your app.

Check map capabilities (required)

Advanced markers requires a map ID. If the map ID is missing, or an invalid map ID is passed, advanced markers cannot load. Use the MapCapabilities.isAdvancedMarkersAvailable() method to check to see if advanced markers are supported.

Caution: Some devices might not support the new map renderer and therefore cannot display advanced markers. You must use MapCapabilities to check for support at runtime. If advanced markers are not supported, define a fallback option such as using standard markers. For device requirements for the new map renderer, see Supported devices.

Kotlin

val capabilities: MapCapabilities = googleMap.getMapCapabilities()
System.out.println("is advanced marker enabled?" + capabilities.isAdvancedMarkersAvailable())

Java

MapCapabilities capabilities = googleMap.getMapCapabilities();
System.out.println("is advanced marker enabled?" + capabilities.isAdvancedMarkersAvailable());

Next steps

Create an advanced marker