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Getting a Google key for Street View

By default, FranceJadis's “Today” panel shows the Apple Look Around view, with nothing to set up. If you prefer Google Street View (often available in more villages), Google requires each user to use their own “key”: a personal code of about forty characters, starting with AIza. This page explains how to get one, step by step, with no technical knowledge.

Before you start

Google regularly changes the look of its console: button names may differ slightly from those given here. The principle stays the same.

Which key for which device?

You use FranceJadis…Service to enableKey restriction
in a browser (francejadis.fr)Maps JavaScript APIWebsites: https://francejadis.fr/*
on a Mac (app)Maps JavaScript APIWebsites: https://plantes.lespotagers.fr/*
on an iPhone or iPad (app)Maps SDK for iOSiOS apps: fr.lespotagers.FranceJadis.FranceJadis

The same key can be used for the browser and the Mac: just add both addresses in step 5. For the iPhone and iPad, create a second key (repeat steps 4 to 6), because Google allows only one type of restriction per key.

1

Open the Google Maps Platform console

Go to console.cloud.google.com/google/maps-apis/start and sign in with your Google account. Accept the terms of service if you are asked to.

2

Create a project

Google keeps everything in “projects”. If asked, create one (New project button at the top of the page) and name it, for example, FranceJadis. Leave the other fields as they are, then Create.

3

Register a payment method

Google then shows a “Billing account” screen. Enter your country, tick “Individual” if that choice is offered, then enter your card. Nothing is charged as long as you stay within the free monthly allowance (see step 6 to lock this in).

4

Enable the service and create the key

  1. ☰ menu at the top left → APIs & Services → Library.
  2. Search for Maps JavaScript API (browser or Mac) or Maps SDK for iOS (iPhone / iPad), open it and click Enable.
  3. ☰ menu → Google Maps Platform → Keys & Credentials (or APIs & Services → Credentials) → Create credentials → API key.
  4. The key is shown (AIza…). Copy it and keep the window open.
5

Protect the key (important)

An unprotected key could be reused by someone else, at your expense. Click the key's name (or Edit API key):

  • Application restrictions:
    • browser or Mac: choose Websites, then Add the address given in the table above (both if you use both);
    • iPhone / iPad: choose iOS apps and add fr.lespotagers.FranceJadis.FranceJadis.
  • API restrictions: choose Restrict key and tick only the service enabled in step 4.

Click Save. It can take up to 5 minutes to take effect.

6

Set a limit so you never pay (recommended)

  1. ☰ menu → APIs & Services → Enabled APIs & services → click the enabled service.
  2. Quotas & System Limits tab: find the line for requests per day, click the pencil and enter a modest limit, for example 100.
  3. Optional: ☰ menu → Billing → Budgets & alerts → create a €1 budget to be warned by email at the slightest cost.

Prices and the free allowance are published by Google at mapsplatform.google.com/pricing.

7

Enter the key in FranceJadis

  1. Open the toolbar → gear icon Settings.
  2. In the Street section, choose Street View.
  3. Paste the key into the Google key field (in the app: Google activation key) and tap OK.
  4. Restart the app (or reload the page in the browser) if you are asked to.

The key is stored only on your device (Apple Keychain, or this browser). It is never sent to the FranceJadis server.

Troubleshooting