google_navigation_flutter_example

Demonstrates how to use the google_navigation_flutter plugin.

Setting up API Keys

To run the example project, you need to provide your Google Maps API key for both Android and iOS platforms. Both Android and iOS builds are able to use the MAPS_API_KEY variable provided through Dart defines. However, this can be overridden to use separate, platform-specific API keys if needed.

Using Dart defines

Using Dart defines to provide the Google Maps API key is the preferred method for this example app. It allows the key to be utilized in Dart code for accessing Google Maps services, such as the Routes API. Additionally, Patrol integration tests should also be run with the API key provided via Dart defines.

Run the app with the API key as a Dart define.

flutter run --dart-define MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY

The example app demonstrates multiple ways to provide the Maps API key for platforms.

Android specific API key

For Android, the example app determines the MAPS_API_KEY using the following order (first match applies):

MAPS_API_KEY variable in local.properties file
MAPS_API_KEY variable in environment variables
MAPS_API_KEY variable in Dart defines

Setting the API Key in local.properties

The project uses the Google Maps Secrets Gradle Plugin for secure API key management. Place your Google Maps API key in example/android/local.properties file in the following format:

MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY_HERE

This key will be specifically used for the Android build, overriding the Dart define value.

Note

local.properties file should always be listed in your .gitignore file to ensure it is not committed to your repository.

iOS specific API key

For iOS, the app attempts to read the MAPS_API_KEY in this order (first match applies):

MAPS_API_KEY variable in Xcode environment variables
MAPS_API_KEY variable in Dart defines
Default API key from AppDelegate.swift.

Set the API key

1. Option: Xcode Environment Variables

Add an environment variable named MAPS_API_KEY in the Xcode scheme settings.

2. Option: Directly in AppDelegate.swift

Set the API key directly in example/ios/Runner/AppDelegate.swift:

...
override func application(
    _ application: UIApplication,
    didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?
) -> Bool { 
    GMSServices.provideAPIKey("YOUR_API_KEY") // REPLACE THIS TEXT WITH YOUR API KEY
    GeneratedPluginRegistrant.register(with: self)
    return super.application(application, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions: launchOptions)
}
...

Note

Be cautious with API keys. Avoid exposing them in public repositories, especially when hardcoded in the project files or the environment variables.

Running the example app

To run the example app, follow these steps:

Start the emulator or connect your device.
Run the following command from the root of the example project:
```
cd example
flutter run
```

If you want to run the example app with a specific API key, see the Setting up API Keys section.

Tip

If you encounter pod-related issues when running the example code on iOS, you can try running the following commands from the example/ios folder:

pod repo update
pod install

These commands will update and install the required pod files specifically for iOS.