title: How to use google-services.json and Google Maps API key?
body: <p>An app uses Firebase and Google Maps Android SDK.</p>
  
  <p>Firebase works fine by using the <code>google-services.json</code> file downloaded on the Firebase console.</p>
  
  <p>However the Google Maps API key is provided in the <code>AndroidManifest.xml</code> file with:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&lt;meta-data
     android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
     android:value="${google_maps_key}" /&gt;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>while the google maps key is provided in <code>build.gradle</code> according to build variant:</p>
  
  <pre><code>manifestPlaceholders.google_maps_key = "&lt;REMOVED&gt;";
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The Google Maps feature works in <code>debug</code> build variant but it doesn't work in <code>release</code>. The APIs in the Google Cloud Console are enabled and the credentials are correct (SHA1 fingerprints, API restrictions). The Google Cloud console does not show <em>any</em> API requests for the release project.</p>
  
  <p>The <code>google-services.json</code> contains an API key that I did not find anywhere in the Google Cloud console or Firebase (<code>"api_key": [{ "current_key": &lt;REMOVED&gt; }]</code>).</p>
  
  <p>Is is possible that JSON file conflicts with the Google Maps API key?</p>