Question

I’ve been checking out the new Google Maps SDK for iOS that allows you to bypass Apple Maps for map related features in your app!

https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/ios/intro

The SDK seems fairly easy to use, but i want to know:

1. If it is possible to use the SDK (are there API’s) to download individual Map tiles?
2. If so, how?

Ive looked at the documentation given on their developer portal and it says the following:

https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/ios/map

The key class when working with a Map object is the GMSMapView class. GMSMapView handles the following operations automatically:

1. Connecting to the Google Maps service.

2. Downloading map tiles.

3. Displaying tiles on the device screen.

4. Displaying various controls such as pan and zoom.

5. Responding to pan and zoom gestures by moving the map and zooming in or out.

6. Responding to two finger gestures by tilting the viewing angle of the map.

It seems like the downloading of the tiles happens automatically, or are there API’s that allow manual access to the tiles?

If not, any workarounds would also help!

Answer 1

The documentation and header files do not indicate any way to download individual map tiles.

Even if you would find a workaround, you would not be allowed to use it. See clause 10.1.1 (a) in the Terms of Service:

No Access to Maps API(s) except through the Service. You must not access or use the Maps API(s) or any Content through any technology or means other than those provided in the Service, or through other explicitly authorized means Google may designate. For example, you must not access map tiles or imagery through interfaces or channels (including undocumented Google interfaces) other than the Maps API(s).