You have several options for customizing Google Maps Platform (GMP) maps. Most of
these methods require you to use a map ID to access several different map
customization features. You can also manually customize GMP
maps using JSON styling,
Customize maps with map IDs
A map ID is a unique identifier that represents a single instance of a Google
Map. Map IDs are restricted to a single platform–JavaScript, Android, iOS, or
Static maps. You associate map IDs with a project, and can use map IDs to enable
features or manage or style maps on your websites and in your applications. For
details, see Map ID overview.
Customize with map IDs and Cloud-based maps styling
With cloud-based maps styling, you use map IDs and map styles to create a
customized road map experience for your users. You can then update the style as
needed in the Cloud console, without having to update your apps' code. For
details, see Cloud-based maps styling.
Customize maps manually with JSON styling
Manually customizing maps lets you style the normal map type, and does not
require a map ID. Any updates to the style require a code update. You cannot
combine manual map styling and cloud-based maps styling in the same app.
To customize a map manually using JSON styling, see
Add a styled map.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-28 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eMap IDs are unique identifiers for Google Maps instances, restricted to a single platform (JavaScript, Android, iOS, or Static maps), and used to enable features, manage, or style maps.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eCloud-based maps styling allows customization through map IDs and map styles, with updates managed in the Cloud console without requiring code changes in the application.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eManual map customization with JSON styling offers another method to style maps, but it does not require a map ID, and updates necessitate code changes.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eUsing cloud-based maps styling on Android requires the latest renderer for the Maps SDK for Android.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eMultiple platforms are available for customization, including Android, iOS, Javascript, and Web Service.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],["Google Maps Platform (GMP) maps can be customized using map IDs or JSON styling. Map IDs, unique identifiers for each map instance, enable cloud-based styling, which allows style updates in the Cloud console without code changes. These are platform-specific. Alternatively, manual customization with JSON styling is possible but requires code updates for style changes, it does not require a map ID. Cloud and manual styles can't be mixed. On Android, the latest renderer is needed for cloud styling.\n"],null,["Select platform: [Android](/maps/documentation/android-sdk/map-ids/customize-maps-overview \"View this page for the Android platform docs.\") [iOS](/maps/documentation/ios-sdk/map-ids/customize-maps-overview \"View this page for the iOS platform docs.\") [JavaScript](/maps/documentation/javascript/map-ids/customize-maps-overview \"View this page for the JavaScript platform docs.\") [Web Service](/maps/documentation/maps-static/map-ids/customize-maps-overview \"View this page for the Web Service platform docs.\")\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n| To use cloud-based maps styling on Android, you must use the latest renderer for Maps SDK for Android. [Follow these instructions](/maps/documentation/android-sdk/renderer).\n\nYou have several options for customizing Google Maps Platform (GMP) maps. Most of\nthese methods require you to use a map ID to access several different map\ncustomization features. You can also manually customize GMP\nmaps using JSON styling,\n\nCustomize maps with map IDs\n\nA map ID is a unique identifier that represents a single instance of a Google\nMap. Map IDs are restricted to a single platform--JavaScript, Android, iOS, or\nStatic maps. You associate map IDs with a project, and can use map IDs to enable\nfeatures or manage or style maps on your websites and in your applications. For\ndetails, see [Map ID overview](/maps/documentation/android-sdk/map-ids/mapid-over).\n\nCustomize with map IDs and Cloud-based maps styling\n\nWith cloud-based maps styling, you use map IDs and map styles to create a\ncustomized road map experience for your users. You can then update the style as\nneeded in the Cloud console, without having to update your apps' code. For\ndetails, see [Cloud-based maps styling](../cloud-customization/index).\n\nCustomize maps manually with JSON styling\n\nManually customizing maps lets you style the normal map type, and does not\nrequire a map ID. Any updates to the style require a code update. You cannot\ncombine manual map styling and cloud-based maps styling in the same app.\n\nTo customize a map manually using JSON styling, see\n\n[Add a styled map](../styling)."]]
