Get an API Key

Before you begin

Before you start using the Places SDK for iOS, you need a project with a billing account and the Places SDK for iOS enabled. To learn more, see Set up in Cloud Console.

Creating API keys

The API key is a unique identifier that authenticates requests associated with your project for usage and billing purposes. You must have at least one API key associated with your project.

To create an API key:

1. Go to the APIs & Services > Credentials page.

   Go to the Credentials page

2. On the Credentials page, click Create credentials > API key.
   The API key created dialog displays your newly created API key.
3. Click Close.
   The new API key is listed on the Credentials page under API keys.
   (Remember to restrict the API key before using it in production.)

Note: You can use the same API key for your Maps SDK for iOS and Places SDK for iOS apps.

Adding the API key to your app

In the following examples, replace YOUR_API_KEY with your API key.

Swift

Add your API key to your AppDelegate.swift as follows:

• Add the following import statement:

  import GooglePlaces

• Add the following to your application(_:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:) method, replacing YOUR_API_KEY with your API key:

  GMSPlacesClient.provideAPIKey("YOUR_API_KEY")

Objective-C

Add your API key to your AppDelegate.m as follows:

• Add the following import statement:

  @import GooglePlaces;

• Add the following to your application:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: method, replacing YOUR_API_KEY with your API key:

  [GMSPlacesClient provideAPIKey:@"YOUR_API_KEY"];

Restricting API keys

Restricting API Keys adds security to your application by ensuring only authorized requests are made with your API Key. We strongly recommend that you follow the instructions to set restrictions for your API Keys. For more information, see API Key best practices.

To restrict an API key:

1. Go to the APIs & Services > Credentials page.

   Go to the Credentials page

2. Select the API key that you want to set a restriction on. The API key property page appears.
3. Under Key restrictions, set the following restrictions:
• Application restrictions:
1. Select iOS apps.
2. To accept requests from the iOS app with the bundle identifier that you supply, select the appropriate iOS bundle identifier from the list.
• API restrictions:
1. Click Restrict key.
2. Select Places API from Select APIs dropdown. If the Places API is not listed, you need to enable it.
4. To finalize your changes, click Save.