Google has officially announced that it will phase out support for CocoaPods as an installation method for all major Google Maps Platform iOS SDKs, marking a significant shift in iOS development workflows. Developers currently relying on CocoaPods must prepare for a transition to Swift Package Manager (SPM) or manual installation to continue receiving future updates.
This change impacts multiple Google iOS SDKs and will take full effect beginning in 2026.
Which Google Maps iOS SDKs Are Affected?
Google confirmed that new versions will no longer be released on CocoaPods for the following SDKs:
- Maps SDK for iOS
- Places SDK for iOS
- Navigation SDK for iOS
- Fleet Engine
CocoaPods has officially entered maintenance mode, while Swift Package Manager has become the industry-preferred dependency manager for modern iOS development.
Important Timeline for Developers
- Now through Q2 2026:
Google will continue releasing 10.x.x versions of all affected SDKs through CocoaPods. - Starting with version 11.0 (Post-Q2 2026):
No new versions will be published to CocoaPods. All future releases will be available only via Swift Package Manager or manual installation.
What Happens If You Stay on CocoaPods After 2026?
Developers who continue using CocoaPods after the cutoff will face major limitations, including:
- No access to new features
- No performance optimizations
- No critical security patches or bug fixes
- Increased risk of app instability and App Store compliance issues
This could lead to serious long-term maintenance and security challenges.
What Developers Should Do Now
Google strongly encourages all developers to begin planning their migration immediately.
Recommended Actions:
- Transition to Swift Package Manager
- Review the official SDK installation documentation
- Test builds using SPM before fully removing CocoaPods
- Update internal deployment and CI/CD pipelines
Early migration ensures zero downtime, avoids rushed transitions, and guarantees uninterrupted access to Google Maps updates.
Impacted Google Cloud Projects
Google reports that the following project is currently linked to the affected SDKs:
- my-project-1541062596621
Only applications using CocoaPods are impacted. If your project already uses Swift Package Manager or manual installation, no action is required.
Why Google Is Making This Change
Google stated that focusing development on Swift Package Manager allows them to:
- Streamline release cycles
- Align with modern iOS development best practices
- Deliver faster performance upgrades
- Improve long-term SDK stability
This move mirrors broader industry trends away from CocoaPods.
Need Help With the Migration?
Google has confirmed that full support is available through Google Maps Platform Support. Developers needing help migrating to Swift Package Manager or troubleshooting installation issues can contact their engineering teams directly.
Final Takeaway
The end of CocoaPods support for Google Maps iOS SDKs is a major but necessary shift. Developers who take action early will benefit from:
- Continued access to new features
- Faster SDK performance
- Improved future-proofing
- Reduced security risks
Waiting until 2026 could put your apps at serious technical and compliance risk.