Does a Google maps API Key expire after a certain time?

Question

I've looked around a bit and can't seem to find an answer. I just inherited a halfway done android app project and the Maps don't seem to work.

I see there is an API Key in the xml file, but is there a way to know if it is still valid ?

Thanks.

Answer 1

The maps API key is tied to the certificate that you're using to sign the APK. This will be different for each Android SDK installation. If another developer has been working on this previously, you'll need to generate a new key based upon your SDK Debug Certificate http://code.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/mapkey.html#getdebugfingerprint then generate a new API key http://code.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/mapkey.html#registering

Answer 2

The API key is connected to the signing key. It doesn't have an expiration date but the signing key does. If you use the debug key signing key it will expire after one year. The Signing Release key must expire no earlier than Oct 22, 2033. (I use 100 years) Don't know how to check the validity period of a certificate, but it's relatively easy to get a new Google Maps API key. See my Google Maps guide