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Frequently asked questions

Setup​

How do I get an API key?​

Create an application at user.globus.software/apps and copy its API key. Activate GLMap before creating GLMapView.

Which platforms are supported?​

  • iOS 13 and later
  • macOS 11 and later
  • Android API 21 and later
  • GLMapCore build support for watchOS

The Android reference application uses compileSdk 37 and targetSdk 37.

Which installation path should I use?​

  • New iOS applications: Swift Package Manager, starting from 2.0.0
  • Existing Objective-C applications: CocoaPods remains available
  • Android: globus:glmap:2.0.0, with optional glsearch and glroute artifacts

See Get started for exact configuration.

Map display​

Why is the map blank?​

Check these boundaries in order:

  1. GLMap activation completed with the expected API key.
  2. Online tile downloading is enabled when the app expects online tiles.
  3. On iOS, a parsed style was assigned to the map.
  4. The requested position is covered by an embedded, downloaded, or online map source.

Online tile downloading is disabled by default:

GLMapManager.shared.tileDownloadingAllowed = true
GLMapManager.SetTileDownloadingAllowed(true)

Does the application need a separate default-style dependency?​

No. The iOS SPM product contains DefaultStyle.bundle. The Android globus:glmap:2.0.0 artifact depends on the exact matching globus:glmap-defaultstyle:2.0.0 artifact.

Both platforms load the default style when the map view is created. Parse and set a style explicitly only for custom resources or options.

Do I need to release native resources on Android?​

Yes. Call map.dispose() when the map screen is permanently destroyed. Search result lists and every independently owned result object must also be closed when no longer needed.

Search and routing​

What is new about search in 2.0?​

GLSearchRequest represents both online and offline requests. Text, locales, categories, ranking center, result objects, and display fields use the same model on both transports.

Use startOnline or startOffline, cancel obsolete autocomplete requests, and expect completion exactly once. See the search tutorial.

What must be downloaded for offline operation?​

  • Map rendering and offline search use registered map data.
  • Offline route calculation additionally needs navigation data.
  • 3D terrain additionally needs elevation data.

The Swift and Kotlin demos contain complete download flows.

Is Android 17 supported?​

GLMap 2.0 includes the Android 17 startup fix and is tested with targetSdk 37 in the dedicated startup smoke app.

Help​