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How to Use Different Types of Google Maps in Android?

Google Maps for Android offers several map types to cater to different use cases. The primary map types are:

  1. Normal - Typical road map.
  2. Satellite - Satellite imagery.
  3. Terrain - Topographic data.
  4. Hybrid - Mixture of normal and satellite.
  5. None - No tiles.

Here's how you can implement and use these different map types in your Android app:

1. Prerequisites:

Ensure you've integrated the Google Maps SDK for Android and have the required permissions and API key set up. If you're unfamiliar with this, refer to the earlier answer or the official documentation.

2. Initialize the Map:

First, ensure you have a SupportMapFragment or MapView in your layout:

<fragment
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:id="@+id/map"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    class="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"/>

3. Set the Map Type:

Now, in your Activity or Fragment, initialize the map and set the desired map type:

import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap
import com.google.android.gms.maps.OnMapReadyCallback
import com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment

class YourActivity : AppCompatActivity(), OnMapReadyCallback {

    private lateinit var mMap: GoogleMap

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main)

        // Obtain the SupportMapFragment and get notified when the map is ready for use.
        val mapFragment = supportFragmentManager
            .findFragmentById(R.id.map) as SupportMapFragment
        mapFragment.getMapAsync(this)
    }

    override fun onMapReady(googleMap: GoogleMap) {
        mMap = googleMap

        // Set the map type
        mMap.mapType = GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_NORMAL  // This sets the map to "Normal" type.
    }
}

For different map types, replace GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_NORMAL with any of the following:

  • GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_SATELLITE
  • GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_TERRAIN
  • GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_HYBRID
  • GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_NONE

4. Switch Between Map Types:

If you want to allow users to switch between different map types at runtime, you can provide UI controls (like buttons or a dropdown menu) and update the mapType property of your GoogleMap instance based on the user's selection.

That's it! You can now easily switch between different types of Google Maps in your Android app.

  1. How to integrate Google Maps in Android app:

    To integrate Google Maps in an Android app, you need to follow these steps:

    • Obtain an API key from the Google Cloud Console.
    • Add the Google Maps API key to your AndroidManifest.xml file.
    • Add the Google Maps fragment to your layout.
    <!-- In your layout file -->
    <fragment
        android:id="@+id/mapFragment"
        android:name="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent" />
    
  2. Android Google Maps fragment example:

    In your activity or fragment code, you can obtain a reference to the Google Map fragment and configure it:

    // In your activity or fragment
    SupportMapFragment mapFragment = (SupportMapFragment) getSupportFragmentManager().findFragmentById(R.id.mapFragment);
    
    // Initialize the map
    mapFragment.getMapAsync(googleMap -> {
        // Customize the map if needed
        // Add markers, overlays, etc.
    });
    
  3. Customizing Google Maps in Android development:

    You can customize various aspects of Google Maps, such as the map type, camera position, and UI settings:

    // Customize the map
    googleMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_NORMAL);
    googleMap.moveCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLngZoom(new LatLng(37.7749, -122.4194), 12));
    
  4. Switching between map types in Google Maps on Android:

    You can allow users to switch between different map types, such as normal, satellite, and terrain:

    // Switch to satellite map type
    googleMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_SATELLITE);
    
  5. Adding markers and overlays on Google Maps in Android:

    You can add markers and overlays to the map to highlight points of interest:

    // Add a marker
    LatLng location = new LatLng(37.7749, -122.4194);
    MarkerOptions markerOptions = new MarkerOptions().position(location).title("Marker Title");
    googleMap.addMarker(markerOptions);
    
    // Add a polyline overlay
    PolylineOptions polylineOptions = new PolylineOptions()
            .add(new LatLng(37.7749, -122.4194), new LatLng(37.7749, -122.4094))
            .width(5)
            .color(Color.RED);
    googleMap.addPolyline(polylineOptions);
    
  6. Styling Google Maps in Android Studio:

    You can apply custom styles to Google Maps to match your app's theme. Create a JSON file with the style and apply it to the map:

    // Apply custom map style
    boolean success = googleMap.setMapStyle(MapStyleOptions.loadRawResourceStyle(this, R.raw.map_style));
    if (!success) {
        Log.e(TAG, "Style parsing failed.");
    }
    
  7. Displaying satellite and terrain maps in Android using Google Maps:

    Switching to satellite or terrain map types provides users with different perspectives:

    // Switch to satellite map type
    googleMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_SATELLITE);
    
    // Switch to terrain map type
    googleMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_TERRAIN);
    
  8. Creating multiple maps in a single Android app:

    You can create multiple maps in a single Android app by using multiple SupportMapFragment instances and managing them independently.

    // In your layout file
    <fragment
        android:id="@+id/mapFragment1"
        android:name="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent" />
    
    <fragment
        android:id="@+id/mapFragment2"
        android:name="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent" />
    

    Then, initialize and customize each map separately in your code.