You have several options for customizing Google Maps Platform (GMP) maps. Most of
these methods require you to use a map ID to access several different map
customization features. You can also manually customize GMP
maps using JSON styling,
Customize maps with map IDs
A map ID is a unique identifier that represents a single instance of a Google
Map. Map IDs are restricted to a single platform–JavaScript, Android, iOS, or
Static maps. You associate map IDs with a project, and can use map IDs to enable
features or manage or style maps on your websites and in your applications. For
details, see Map ID overview.
Customize with map IDs and Cloud-based maps styling
With cloud-based maps styling, you use map IDs and map styles to create a
customized road map experience for your users. You can then update the style as
needed in the Cloud console, without having to update your apps' code. For
details, see Cloud-based maps styling.
Customize maps manually with JSON styling
Manually customizing maps lets you style the normal map type, and does not
require a map ID. Any updates to the style require a code update. You cannot
combine manual map styling and cloud-based maps styling in the same app.
To customize a map manually using JSON styling, see
JSON map styling.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-18 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eGoogle Maps Platform offers various customization options, including using map IDs and JSON styling.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eMap IDs are unique identifiers for Google Maps, enabling features and styling management within projects.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eCloud-based maps styling, coupled with map IDs, allows for dynamic customization through the Cloud Console without code updates.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eManual customization using JSON styling directly modifies map appearance but necessitates code updates for any changes.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eYou can't combine manual JSON styling and cloud-based styling on the same map.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["Select platform: [Android](/maps/documentation/android-sdk/map-ids/customize-maps-overview \"View this page for the Android platform docs.\") [iOS](/maps/documentation/ios-sdk/map-ids/customize-maps-overview \"View this page for the iOS platform docs.\") [JavaScript](/maps/documentation/javascript/map-ids/customize-maps-overview \"View this page for the JavaScript platform docs.\") [Web Service](/maps/documentation/maps-static/map-ids/customize-maps-overview \"View this page for the Web Service platform docs.\")\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nYou have several options for customizing Google Maps Platform (GMP) maps. Most of\nthese methods require you to use a map ID to access several different map\ncustomization features. You can also manually customize GMP\nmaps using JSON styling,\n\nCustomize maps with map IDs\n\nA map ID is a unique identifier that represents a single instance of a Google\nMap. Map IDs are restricted to a single platform--JavaScript, Android, iOS, or\nStatic maps. You associate map IDs with a project, and can use map IDs to enable\nfeatures or manage or style maps on your websites and in your applications. For\ndetails, see [Map ID overview](/maps/documentation/javascript/map-ids/mapid-over).\n\nCustomize with map IDs and Cloud-based maps styling\n\nWith cloud-based maps styling, you use map IDs and map styles to create a\ncustomized road map experience for your users. You can then update the style as\nneeded in the Cloud console, without having to update your apps' code. For\ndetails, see [Cloud-based maps styling](../cloud-customization/index).\n\nCustomize maps manually with JSON styling\n\nManually customizing maps lets you style the normal map type, and does not\nrequire a map ID. Any updates to the style require a code update. You cannot\ncombine manual map styling and cloud-based maps styling in the same app.\n\nTo customize a map manually using JSON styling, see\n\n[JSON map styling](../json-styling-overview)."]]
