[Solved] Android Studio Flamingo is missing Google Maps Activity template – Android

The Problem:

In earlier versions of Android Studio, developers could create a new project using the Google Maps Activity template. However, in Android Studio Flamingo, this template is missing when creating a new phone and tablet project.

The Solutions:

Solution 1: Create a New Google Maps Views Activity

Although Android Studio Flamingo doesn’t provide a Google Maps Activity project template initially, you can create a Google Maps Views Activity after establishing a new project.

Steps:

1. Create a new empty project.
2. Right-click on the package where you want to place your activity.
3. Select New → Google → Google Maps Views Activity.

Note: Before running your project, remember to obtain your Google Map API key from https://console.cloud.google.com/.

Solution

As you correctly pointed out, Android Studio Flamingo lacks the ability to create a Google Maps Activity. The link you also provided has a [Look at the code](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/sdk/start/hl/ru#look-at-the-code) section which shows the Activity code, Xml, and a dependency that needs to be added to your module level build gradle.

Activity:

internal class MapsActivity : AppCompatActivity(), OnMapReadyCallback {

    private lateinit var mMap: GoogleMap

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_maps)
        // Obtain the SupportMapFragment and get notified when the map is ready to be used
        val mapFragment = supportFragmentManager
            .findFragmentById(R.id.map) as SupportMapFragment
        mapFragment.getMapAsync(this)
    }

    /**
     * Manipulates the map once available.
     * This callback is triggered when the map is ready to be used.
     * This is where we can add markers or lines, add listeners or move the camera. In this case,
     * we just add a marker near Sydney, Australia.
     * If Google Play services is not installed on the device, the user will be prompted to install
     * it inside the SupportMapFragment. This method will only be triggered once the user has
     * installed Google Play services and returned to the app.
     */
    override fun onMapReady(googleMap: GoogleMap) {
        mMap = googleMap

        // Add a marker in Sydney and move the camera
        val sydney = LatLng(37.4219999,-122.084)
        mMap.addMarker(MarkerOptions()
            .position(sydney)
            .title("Marker in Sydney"))
        mMap.moveCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLng(sydney))
    }
}

Xml:

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

Module level build gradle (Ensure that compileSdk is set to 33 or higher and minSdk is set to 21 or higher):

plugins {
    id 'com.google.android.libraries.mapsplatform.secrets-gradle-plugin'
    ...
}

dependencies {
    implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps:18.1.0'
    // ...
}

Project level build gradle:

plugins {
    // ...
    id 'com.google.android.libraries.mapsplatform.secrets-gradle-plugin' version '2.0.2' apply false
}

Top level settings gradle:

pluginManagement {
    repositories {
        gradlePluginPortal()
        google()
        mavenCentral()
    }
}
dependencyResolutionManagement {
    repositoriesMode.set(RepositoriesMode.FAIL_ON_PROJECT_REPOS)
    repositories {
        google()
        mavenCentral()
    }
}
// ...

local.properties:

MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY

AndroidManifest.xml:

<meta-data
    android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
    android:value="${MAPS_API_KEY}" />

Solution 3: Use the non-quickstart documentation or download an older version of Android Studio

Android Studio Flamingo does not include a Google Maps Activity template because Google’s documentation has been updated to provide instructions on how to create a Google Maps Activity without the template. Here’s what you can do:

• Follow the non-quickstart documentation: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/config
• Alternatively, if you prefer to use the template, you can download an older version of Android Studio that still includes it: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases#older-versions

Video Explanation: