How to Fix Common Google Maps API Issues in Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)

Integrating Google Maps with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a powerful way to add location data to your WordPress site. However, the setup process can be confusing, and users often encounter similar problems. This guide covers the most common issues and their solutions, based on community discussions.

Why You Need a Google Maps API Key

Google requires an API key to authenticate requests to its Maps service. Without a valid key, maps will not load in your ACF fields, either in the WordPress admin area or on the front end of your site.

The Most Common Problem: Where to Add the API Key

The most frequent issue is not knowing where to put the API key. Unlike some themes and plugins, ACF does not provide a settings page for this. Instead, you must add your key using code in your theme's functions.php file.

Solution: Add the Key via Code

There are two primary methods to add your Google Maps API key for ACF. It is highly recommended to use a child theme to prevent your code from being erased during theme updates.

Method 1: Using the acf/init Action (Recommended)

function my_acf_google_map_api() {
    acf_update_setting('google_api_key', 'YOUR_API_KEY_HERE');
}
add_action('acf/init', 'my_acf_google_map_api');

Method 2: Using the acf/fields/google_map/api Filter

function my_acf_google_map_api( $api ){
    $api['key'] = 'YOUR_API_KEY_HERE';
    return $api;
}
add_filter('acf/fields/google_map/api', 'my_acf_google_map_api');

Replace YOUR_API_KEY_HERE with the actual API key you generated in the Google Cloud Console.

Other Common Issues and Fixes

1. API Key Configuration Errors

Simply creating an API key is not enough. You must also enable the correct APIs for it to work.

• Ensure the correct APIs are enabled: In the Google Cloud Console, you must enable both the Maps JavaScript API and the Places API for your key.
• Set application restrictions: For public websites, it's common to restrict the key by HTTP referrers. Add your website's domain (e.g., *.yourdomain.com/*) to the list of allowed referrers.

2. Maps Not Displaying on the Front End

If the map appears in the WordPress admin but not on your public website, you are likely missing the required JavaScript to render it.

• Use the Google Maps helper code: The ACF documentation provides helper code that includes the necessary JavaScript and CSS to display a map. This code should be added to your theme's template file (e.g., single.php or a custom template) where you want the map to appear.
• Check the browser console for errors: Use your browser's developer tools (F12) to check the Console tab for any JavaScript errors, which can provide clues about what is breaking the map.

3. Deprecation Warnings and Callback Errors

Google occasionally updates its APIs, which can lead to warnings in the browser console.

• Callback warnings: A common warning states that loading the API without a callback is not supported. The ACF team has acknowledged this issue and typically addresses it in plugin updates.
• Deprecation notices: You may see warnings about deprecated features, such as the recent deprecation of google.maps.Marker. These are often addressed in future ACF updates. For critical issues, the community often shares code snippets to patch the problem until an official update is released.

4. Using iframes with ACF Fields

Some users try to paste a Google Maps iframe code into a textarea field. This often fails due to WordPress security policies or conflicts with other scripts.

• Use the native Google Maps field: For best results, use ACF's dedicated Google Maps field type instead of an iframe in a text field.
• Consider a shortcode solution: If you need to display a map in a modal or archive page, one community solution was to create a custom shortcode that outputs the map, which could then be placed in a widget or popup.

Need More Help?

If you continue to experience issues, the broader WordPress community is an excellent resource. You can search for similar problems or ask for help in community forums. Be prepared to share the specific errors you see in your browser console, as this information is crucial for troubleshooting.