Download Google Maps API Key - Amazon Web Services

Google Maps API Key
Before we begin working with Google Maps, we must obtain the Google Maps API key. Google provides
detailed instructions for this here: http://code.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/mapkey.html
The API key is based on the unique certificate that you generate when publishing your Android
application. Because during the build and debug process, you use Eclipse’s debug certificate, you must
first obtain a key that matches your debug certificate. This will allow your application to work correctly
and display Google Maps data in the emulator, during testing. When you’re done with development,
you’ll need to run through exactly the same process all over again, using your production certificate to
generate the Maps API key.
To get the MD5 hash of our certificate, necessary to generate the key, we first need to locate the full
path of the keytool.exe file found within our Java JDK installation.
The tool is available in one of the following locations:
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C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk<x.xxxxx>\bin\keytool.exe where <x.xxxx> is a version of the
JDK you’re using.
C:\Program Files\Java\jdk<x.xxxxx>\bin\keytool.exe where <x.xxxx> is a version of the JDK
you’re using.
keytool.exe in OS X is available from any location via Terminal.
Next, locate your Eclipse certificate, in one of the following locations:
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Windows Vista / 7: C:\Users\<user>\.android\debug.keystore where <user> is your username
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\.android\debug.keystore where <user> is
your username
OS X and Linux: ~/.android/debug.keystore
For windows, I recommend that you create a batch file that looks like this:
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"C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.6.0_23\bin\keytool.exe" -list -alias
androiddebugkey -keystore "C:\Users\alext\.android\debug.keystore" -storepass
android -keypass android
pause
The areas highlighted in yellow represent the places that you need to adjust the paths based on your
locations. You care review the batch file accompanying this lesson and modify it as necessary.
For OS X and Linux users, simply open a Terminal window and type in the following command:
keytool -list -alias androiddebugkey -keystore ~/.android/debug.keystore -storepass
android -keypass android
The results should look like this (OS X):
or like this (Windows):
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In either case, jot down the MD5 fingerprint that was generated for you. This is the information you
need in order to obtain the API key.
Now, visit http://code.google.com/android/maps-api-signup.html and login with your Google account
credentials, if necessary.
Accept the Google Terms of service, enter your MD5 fingerprint, and click Generate API Key.
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Write down the data returned back to you:
I like to copy and paste the data points from the above screen into a text document that I keep handy as
part of my project.
Please keep in mind that you’ll need to do this on every PC that you develop on, and repeat the process
before distributing your application into the Android Marketplace.
When generating the production API key, use the keystore that you created for your application when
you exported it from Eclipse.
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