Develop Reference

Google Maps - A required meta-data tag in your app's AndroidManifest.xml does not exist

I want to implement Google Map in my Android app, I just follow the Google Maps Platform instruction, but it didn't work. I don't know why meta-data does not exist while I already declare it in the manifest:
AndroidManifest.xml
<application
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="#mipmap/ic_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:roundIcon="#mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
android:supportsRtl="true"
android:usesCleartextTraffic="true"
tools:ignore="AllowBackup"
tools:targetApi="m">
<activity android:name="some.Activity"></activity>
<meta-data
tools:replace="android:value"
android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
android:value="${MAPS_API_KEY}" />
</application>
local.properties
MAPS_API_KEY=HereIsTheSecretAPIstored
build.gradle (:app)
plugins {
id 'com.google.secrets_gradle_plugin' version '0.5'
}
service maps version:
implementation "com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps:17.0.1"
Stack trace:
Caused by: com.google.android.gms.common.GooglePlayServicesMissingManifestValueException: A required meta-data tag in your app's AndroidManifest.xml does not exist. You must have the following declaration within the <application> element: <meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version" android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />
at com.google.android.gms.common.GooglePlayServicesUtilLight.isGooglePlayServicesAvailable(com.google.android.gms:play-services-basement##17.5.0:17)
Anyone can help me?

After some efforts, finally, I able to solve the problem with this solution:
Change meta-data and move to the top of activity tag.
From
<meta-data
tools:replace="android:value"
android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
android:value="${MAPS_API_KEY}" />
To
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
android:value="${MAPS_API_KEY}" />
2 Also, I forgot to enable Maps SDK for Android in Google Console, so I enable it.

Unable to get provider com.google.android.gms.ads.MobileAdsInitProvider: java.lang.IllegalStateException

I update my Android Studio (3.2.1) and its sdk to the latest version. After that it required a manual update for Manifest by adding these tags:
<application
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="#drawable/ic_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:roundIcon="#drawable/ic_launcher"
android:supportsRtl="true"
android:theme="#style/AppTheme"
tools:ignore="AllowBackup,GoogleAppIndexingWarning">
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APP_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-#############"/>
<activity android:name=".MainActivity">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<activity android:name=".NewActivity" />
<activity android:name=".PreviewActivity" />
<activity android:name=".EditActivity" />
<activity
android:name=".preferencesdata.AboutActivity"
android:theme="#style/Theme.AppCompat.DayNight.NoActionBar" />
<activity android:name=".preferencesdata.SettingsActivity"
android:label="#string/settings">
<meta-data
android:name="android.support.PARENT_ACTIVITY"
android:value=".MainActivity"/>
</activity>
</application>
whereby instead the app ID I put the real id of my app. The value has also been changed to the right Ad Unit id as shown here https://developers.google.com/admob/android/quick-start. I also called this function in the MainActivity.kt:
MobileAds.initialize(this, resources.getString(R.string.banner_ad_unit_id))
However, the problem could not be solved. It still prints as follows:
E/AndroidRuntime: FATAL EXCEPTION: main
Process: com.easyapps.cryptnote, PID: 3991
java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to get provider com.google.android.gms.ads.MobileAdsInitProvider: java.lang.IllegalStateException:
******************************************************************************
* The Google Mobile Ads SDK was initialized incorrectly. AdMob publishers *
* should follow the instructions LINK to add a valid *
* App ID inside the AndroidManifest. Google Ad Manager publishers should *
* follow instructions here: LINK. *
******************************************************************************
at android.app.ActivityThread.installProvider(ActivityThread.java:5156)
at android.app.ActivityThread.installContentProviders(ActivityThread.java:4748)
at android.app.ActivityThread.handleBindApplication(ActivityThread.java:4688)
at android.app.ActivityThread.-wrap1(ActivityThread.java)
at android.app.ActivityThread$H.handleMessage(ActivityThread.java:1405)
at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:102)
at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:148)
at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:5417)
at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Native Method)
at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:726)
at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:616)
Caused by: java.lang.IllegalStateException:
******************************************************************************
* The Google Mobile Ads SDK was initialized incorrectly. AdMob publishers *
* should follow the instructions here: LINK to add a valid *
* App ID inside the AndroidManifest. Google Ad Manager publishers should *
* follow instructions here: LINK. *
******************************************************************************
at com.google.android.gms.internal.ads.zzmn.attachInfo(Unknown Source)
at com.google.android.gms.ads.MobileAdsInitProvider.attachInfo(Unknown Source)
at android.app.ActivityThread.installProvider(ActivityThread.java:5153)
... 10 more
Why does this happen? I tried to research the issue, but I can't find any solutions. It seems to be an a new still unsolved issue.

This happened due to updated AdMob SDK. Now you need to add appID in your manifest file.
<application> . . .
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-################~##########"/>
</application>
You can get appID from here -->Google addmob -->Select app --> App Settings --> App ID.
You can read more from here ads-developers.
If you want to use test ads before putting your own id check the AdMob test ids from here developers.google.
Hope this will help you. Thanks :)

Google gave update for the Google ads so if you update your Admob library in gradle then you need to add this in your manifest.
<manifest>
<application>
<!-- TODO: Replace with your real AdMob app ID -->
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-################~##########"/>
</application>
</manifest>

Add In Your Manifest File
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.AD_MANAGER_APP"
android:value="true" />

Don't get confused with APPLICATION_ID. You should not replace it with your application ID for ex. com.example.myapp. Just keep it as it is.
<application>
...
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-################~##########"/>
...
</application>

I have already added <meta-data...../> but the error didn't resolve. The solution is to put <meta-data.../> at last of other meta-data in your androidManifest.xml file present in android -> app -> src -> main . Like this:
<application>
...
...
< meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-################~##########"/>
</application>
The solution is to put the meta data lines at Last (means below all other meta-data present in your android manifest file but just before closing application tag).

Important: This step is required as of Google Mobile Ads SDK version 17.0.0. Failure to add this tag results in a crash with the message: The Google Mobile Ads SDK was initialized incorrectly.
<manifest>
<application>
<!-- Sample AdMob App ID: ca-app-pub-3940256099942544~3347511713 -->
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~yyyyyyyyyy"/>
</application>
</manifest>

Google Mobile Ads SDK v17.0.0 for Android has just been released, and it comes with these important changes.
Required AndroidManifest.xml changes
Starting in version 17.0.0, if you are an AdMob publisher you are now required to add your AdMob app ID in your AndroidManifest.xml file. Once you find your AdMob app ID in the AdMob UI, add it to your manifest adding the following tag:
<manifest>
<application>
<!-- TODO: Replace with your real AdMob app ID -->
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-################~##########"/>
</application>
</manifest>
Failure to add this tag will result in the app crashing at app launch with a message starting with The Google Mobile Ads SDK was initialized incorrectly.
What if I'm using Google Ad Manager instead of AdMob?
Publishers using Google Ad Manager will need to declare themselves as an Ad Manager app with a different tag to avoid the same crash:
<manifest>
<application>
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.AD_MANAGER_APP"
android:value="true"/>
</application>
</manifest>
See the link for more details.

In my case, I have accidentally put the meta-data tag inside activity tag like below,
<manifest>
<application>
<activity
android:name=".MainActivity"
android:launchMode="singleTop"
android:theme="#style/LaunchTheme"
android:configChanges="orientation|keyboardHidden|keyboard|screenSize|smallestScreenSize|locale|layoutDirection|fontScale|screenLayout|density|uiMode"
android:hardwareAccelerated="true"
android:windowSoftInputMode="adjustResize">
<!-- Specifies an Android theme to apply to this Activity as soon as
the Android process has started. This theme is visible to the user
while the Flutter UI initializes. After that, this theme continues
to determine the Window background behind the Flutter UI. -->
<meta-data
android:name="io.flutter.embedding.android.NormalTheme"
android:resource="#style/NormalTheme"
/>
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~yyyyyyyyyy"/>
</activity>
</application>
</manifest>
please make sure to add the mata tag outside the activity tag
<manifest>
<application>
<activity
android:name=".MainActivity"
android:launchMode="singleTop"
android:theme="#style/LaunchTheme"
android:configChanges="orientation|keyboardHidden|keyboard|screenSize|smallestScreenSize|locale|layoutDirection|fontScale|screenLayout|density|uiMode"
android:hardwareAccelerated="true"
android:windowSoftInputMode="adjustResize">
<!-- Specifies an Android theme to apply to this Activity as soon as
the Android process has started. This theme is visible to the user
while the Flutter UI initializes. After that, this theme continues
to determine the Window background behind the Flutter UI. -->
<meta-data
android:name="io.flutter.embedding.android.NormalTheme"
android:resource="#style/NormalTheme"
/>
</activity>
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~yyyyyyyyyy"/>
</application>

If you haven't published your app, try the following
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.AD_MANAGER_APP"
android:value="true"/>

With the new Admob library we have to initialize and load Ad in the onCreate() method and add the App ID inside AndroidManifest file like mentioned in the other answers. But don't put the Ad ID in AndroidManifest by confusing it with the App ID which was the mistake that I was doing.
Ex App ID: ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~xxxxxxxxxx
Ex Ad ID: ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/xxxxxxxxxx

Make sure you don't have your meta-data tag inside activity...been there, done that.

I think the name should be "APPLICATION_ID" not "APP_ID"

Note: if you're storing the ID on strings.xml file please do it right like that
in Manifest.xml:
<application>
<!-- some code here -->
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="#string/admobID" />
<!-- some code here -->
</application>
in strings.xml:
<!-- change it with your ID -->
<string name="admobID" translatable="false">ca-app-pub-
xxxxxxxxx~xxxxxxxxx</string>
Exemple: if you forget to add # to string/admobID it will cause the same Exception

As for me I was following the instructions from the official google website and Enabling test adds but it turned out there is a wrong character causing the exception. The Id is shown as ca-app-pub-3940256099942544/6300978111 but what's working is ca-app-pub-3940256099942544~6300978111 notice the difference. / and ~
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="#string/testId"/>
strings.xml
<string name="testId">ca-app-pub-3940256099942544~6300978111</string>

In Unity3D starting V3.18 & Ad SDK V 7.45.0, you need to setup these data # Menu : Assets > Google Mobile Ads > Settings & it will automatically write these data in manifest file.
Adding APPLICATION_ID & AD_MANAGER_APP into manifest file directly which is already given in other answers was still crashing for me.

For those who are getting this error in Xamarin Forms Cross Platform app, the error
Unable to get provider com.google.android.gms.ads.MobileAdsInitProvider: java.lang.IllegalStateException`
it might be due to version of Xamarin.GooglePlayServices.Ads installed. When I used Version 71.1720.0 I was getting this error. Hence I uninstalled this version and restored it to Version 60.1142.1 and it worked without crashing.
For tutorial please refer to this Youtube Video

java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to get provider com.google.android.gms.ads.MobileAdsInitProvider: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: Didn't find class "com.google.android.gms.ads.MobileAdsInitProvider"
If you are getting the error above and while searching you've come up here, it may not be because you forgot to insert adMob meta data inside your manifest. I have faced this issue and the solution is implementing the MultiDex inside your application.
Here is the Google instructions : link

Make sure you check following steps.
1. Project level Gradle has google() added in all projects.
allprojects {
repositories {
google()
}
}
2. App level Gradle has following dependency added mentioned same as sample below:
**implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:19.3.0'**
dependencies {
implementation fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.0.2'
implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:19.3.0'
}
3. Update App-ID in AndroidManifest.xml mentioned in <meta-data>. Replace your App-ID in android:value
<manifest>
<application>
<!-- Sample AdMob App ID: ca-app-pub-3940256099942544~3347511713 -->
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~yyyyyyyyyy"/>
</application>
</manifest>
4. adView is added to the layout. Make sure you added ads:adUnitId not App-ID both are different.
I was getting error because I was confused between two. App-ID has "/" and adUnitId has "~". For testing purpose use "ca-app-pub-3940256099942544/6300978111" as adUnitId otherwise your account will get suspended.
When you are ready to publish you can add your real id and publish.
<com.google.android.gms.ads.AdView
xmlns:ads="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
android:id="#+id/adView"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
android:layout_alignParentBottom="true"
ads:adSize="BANNER"
ads:adUnitId="ca-app-pub-3940256099942544/6300978111">
</com.google.android.gms.ads.AdView>
Check all 4 steps and you will be able to resolve this error.

Make sure to check well because it should be App ID not ADd ID in <meta-data ..../> manifest file.
App ID: ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~xxxxxxxxxx
Ad ID: ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/xxxxxxxxxx

Replacing the slash (/) in the ID with tilde (~) fixed it for me. But I've got no idea why they give you the id with slash on the Google AdMob web site, but then expect you to change it to a tilde... Bizarre.

<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~yyyyyyyyyy"/>
this should be outside of activity
but inside manifest and application
<manifest>
<application>
<activity>
It shouldn't be here
</<activity>
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx~yyyyyyyyyy"/>
</application>
</manifest>

Go to your admob website > Select App > App Setting > Copy AdMob Id
Note : Admob Id is different from your Ad Unit Id
Then add meta tag in your manifest
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"/>

I was desperate for 3 hours to find the solution and I find out (to google_mobile_ads 2.3.0 in my case) is necessary to put the next configuration.
In AndroidManifest.xml
<activity
android:name=".MainActivity"
android:exported="true"
android:launchMode="singleTop"
android:theme="#style/LaunchTheme"
android:configChanges="orientation|keyboardHidden|keyboard|screenSize|smallestScreenSize|locale|layoutDirection|fontScale|screenLayout|density|uiMode"
android:hardwareAccelerated="true"
android:windowSoftInputMode="adjustResize">
<!-- Specifies an Android theme to apply to this Activity as soon as
the Android process has started. This theme is visible to the user
while the Flutter UI initializes. After that, this theme continues
to determine the Window background behind the Flutter UI. -->
<meta-data
android:name="io.flutter.embedding.android.NormalTheme"
android:resource="#style/NormalTheme"
/>
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN"/>
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/>
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<meta-data
android:name="flutterEmbedding"
android:value="2" />
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-3940256099942544~3347511713"
/>
Outside from tag Activity and below add the next line, like the code example:
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
android:value="ca-app-pub-3940256099942544~3347511713"
/>

Read_gservices permission not found in android

I am trying to integrate Google maps in my android project. I have installed latest Google play services in my emulator and given all the necessary permissions in the manifest file. It still shows that G_services not found.

Your metadata tag is inside the tag. Remove and place it right after the application tag:
<application
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="#drawable/logo"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:theme="#style/AppTheme" >
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY"
android:value="AIzaSyBOhdOOMI_ZMYlvSyi7DVeRe_bo9ckxehM" />
<meta-data
android:name="android.app.searchable"
android:resource="#layout/searchable" />
</application>

Google maps android v2 crashes

In my app i use google sample in my eclipse and use code basic map.java but when i run my app crash and down!
When I use step by step with google show map tutorial this link:
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/start?hl=pt-ZA
No problem.
My min Sdk:10 And target Sdk 19 and compile:19
my LogCat:
06-07 01:23:11.180: W /GooglePlayServicesUtil(1813): Google Play services is missing.
But I installed Google play services!

There can be two scenarios
Project must be imported google play services.
In the AndroidManifest must have
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" /> in the child of <application> tag.
Edited :
AndroidManifest.xml
<application <!-- Application Tag -->
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="#drawable/ic_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:theme="#style/AppTheme" >
<meta-data <!--child of application tag -->
android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY"
android:value="AIzaSyAvGvbXJD4N5PC_YT2EvdcPgP9mx9YCMs4" />
<!-- activity declarations -->
<activity
android:name="com.sample.MainActivity"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar" >
</activity>

If you are using an actual device then you also need to have the Google Play Services app installed on the device. You can download it from Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms

A required meta-data tag in your app's AndroidManifest.xml does not exist.

I am developing a google maps app for android.
But, somehow my application crashes giving an error like :
java.lang.IllegalStateException: A required meta-data tag in your app's AndroidManifest.xml does not exist.
This is what my AndroidManifest.xml looks like:-
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.example.locations"
android:versionCode="1"
android:versionName="1.0" >
<uses-sdk
android:minSdkVersion="8"
android:targetSdkVersion="18" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/>
<uses-feature
android:glEsVersion="0x00020000"
android:required="true"/>
<permission android:name ="com.example.locations.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE" android:protectionLevel="signature"></permission>
<application
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="#drawable/ic_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:theme="#style/AppTheme" >
<activity
android:name="com.example.locations.MainActivity"
android:label="#string/app_name" >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY"
android:value="AIzaSyAZhJllASbTnrFta8hj55shKydSi0ks824"/>
</application>
</manifest>
Log:-
01-09 12:29:35.249: E/AndroidRuntime(7448): Caused by: java.lang.IllegalStateException: A required meta-data tag in your app's AndroidManifest.xml does not exist. You must have the following declaration within the <application> element: <meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version" android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />
I am using google maps for this app
How can i resolve this?

Missing the below in application tag of manifest. This ia new requirement as of updated google play services.
Check the topic Add the Google Play services version to your app's manifest #
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/start
<meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />
Remove this
<permission android:name ="com.example.locations.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE" android:protectionLevel="signature"></permission>
not required

Google Map V2 add new feature in AndroidManifest.xml. You will need to add this metatag within application tag
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />

Try to add following meta-data tag on Manifest file it's working fine.
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />

As Google Map V2 use use Google Play services you need to keep it updated.
Latest google play services requires a version name, which is to be mentioned using <meta-data .. /> inside AndroidManifest.xml. This can be solved by both of the below ways_
1. Add following meta-data inside application tag of your AndroidManifest.xml
<meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version" android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />
this value is there in your Google Play services library(res -> values -> version.xml)
2. Directly add the version code like
<meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version" android:value="4030500" />
4030500 is version code which is stored inside
google-play-services_lib>res>values>version.xml
Like
<integer name="google_play_services_version">4030500</integer>

Try cleaning your project (select project>project tab>clean)
I solved my problem with this. Cleaning is the solution for most problems.

There is no need for permission:
<permission android:name="com.example.locations.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE" android:protectionLevel="signature"></permission>
A tag including the google services might do the trick.

If you update your google play services you need to update your res/values tag too.

you have to add this line
<meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version" android:value="#integer/google_play_services_version" />
in AndroidManifest.xml <application>