Is READ_GSERVICES permission still required for Google Maps?

Question

To add Google Maps to your android application, you need to include a few permissions:

<!-- Required --> <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" /> <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"/> <!-- Optional --> <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION"/> <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/> 

However, by checking Google Maps Android API v2 documentation again, I noticed that

com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES 

is no longer required. I tested it by removing it from AndroidManifest.xml and the map is loading fine without any problems.

So, my question is.. what is/was the purpose of READ_GSERVICES permission?

Note: Even though it is removed from Google Maps Android API v2 documentation, it can be found on Google Maps API for Business documentation.

Answer 1

All permissions you need for Google Maps Android API are in the docs:

You must also request the android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.

Note: If you're targeting the Android M SDK (23) and the latest version of the Google Play services SDK (8.1), you no longer need the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE.

From the next release of the Google Play services SDK, the requirement for the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission will be completely dropped from the Google Maps Android API.

So the answer is NO, you don't need it if you use current latest GPS, i.e. 8.1.0.