title: Is READ_GSERVICES permission still required for Google Maps?
body: <p>To add Google Maps to your android application, you need to include a few permissions:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&lt;!-- Required --&gt;
  &lt;uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" /&gt;
  &lt;uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" /&gt;
  &lt;uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" /&gt;
  &lt;uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES"/&gt;
  &lt;!-- Optional --&gt;
  &lt;uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION"/&gt;
  &lt;uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/&gt;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>However, by checking <a href="https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/start#specify_permissions" rel="noreferrer">Google Maps Android API v2</a> documentation again, I noticed that</p>
  
  <pre><code>com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>is no longer required. I tested it by removing it from <code>AndroidManifest.xml</code> and the map is loading fine without any problems.</p>
  
  <p>So, my question is.. what is/was the purpose of <code>READ_GSERVICES</code> permission?</p>
  
  <p>Note: Even though it is removed from Google Maps Android API v2 documentation, it can be found on <a href="https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/business/mobile/android/config#specifying_permissions" rel="noreferrer">
  Google Maps API for Business</a> documentation.</p>