Select platform: [Android](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/cloud-customization.md.txt "View this page for the Android platform docs.") [Android 3D](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/android-sdk/cloud-customization.md.txt "View this page for the Android 3D platform docs.") [iOS](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/ios-sdk/cloud-customization.md.txt "View this page for the iOS platform docs.") [iOS 3D](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization.md.txt "View this page for the iOS 3D platform docs.") [JavaScript](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/cloud-customization.md.txt "View this page for the JavaScript platform docs.") [Web Service](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-static/cloud-customization.md.txt "View this page for the Web Service platform docs.")

<br />

[Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alV1XgqTR-s)

Customize and update the road map experience for your users without updating
your apps' code. With the Google Maps Platform
cloud-based maps styling in the Google Cloud console, you can select
colors and set visibility for features. This applies to light and mode for
`roadmap` mode maps.

The changes you make can be reflected across all of your JavaScript, iOS, and
Android apps.

## Why use cloud-based maps styling

With cloud-based maps styling, you can create more engaging and
informative maps and update them without code changes:

- **More map features** : Customize almost 100 individual map features, in four
  categories. Points of interest includes features such as Entertainment,
  Recreation, and Services, which each also have several child features. For
  example, Services includes ATM, Bank, Gas station, and Restroom. For the
  full list, see [What you can style on a map](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization/taxonomy.md.txt).

- **More ways to customize maps**: Cloud-based maps styling makes it easier
  and more intuitive for you to style your map. Recent updates give you more
  granular control over the look and feel of the basemap with labels and
  geometries not previously available for map features. For example, you can
  customize labels applied to tourist attractions, restaurants, recreational
  areas, emergency services, retail, and more.

- **Maps load quickly after the first use**: After the initial startup time as
  a map style is downloaded and cached, subsequent views and pan and zoom
  movement of the map are faster.

- **Improved map style editor interface**: Map settings let you define map
  style properties, such as building and landmark styles and POI density
  levels. Styleable elements are all shown on a single panel, giving you more
  visible map area when making customizations. Find your map feature with more
  intuitive categories that expand and collapse, plus a filter box to scope
  the list to the map feature you need. You can also click anywhere on the map
  and see what features you can style at that location using the map
  inspector.

## What can you do with cloud-based maps styling

You can do the following with cloud-based maps styling:

- **Use a no-code style editor**: A designer can create and preview a style to
  match your goals and branding without needing to code.

- **Change styles without code changes**: Draft and test map style changes
  without any changes to your code once the map ID is in place.

- **Style more map features**: Change the visibility and color of more map
  features, such as roads, buildings, bodies of water, points of interest, and
  transit routes.

## How cloud-based maps styling works

Map styles are stored and edited in the Google Maps Platform Cloud Console. Your
application uses a map ID to request a map style from the cloud console, and
then applies it to your application. You can have several map IDs associated
with the same map style, so your maps can look the same across your application
platforms.
![Graphic showing the same map style used for JavaScript, iOS, and Android applications using a map ID](https://developers.google.com/static/maps/images/cloud-customization/mapstyle.png)

## How to use cloud-based maps styling

|---|---|---|
| 1 | **Create a cloud-based map style** | See [Create and use map styles](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization/map-styles.md.txt). |
| 2 | **Associate your map style with a map ID** | Create or open a map ID for your application type, and assign a map style to it. You can create additional map IDs for applications on other platforms and assign the same map style to them. For details, see [Associate or remove map IDs on your style](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization/map-styles.md.txt#associate-style-with-map-id). |
| 3 | **Add the map ID to your application** | Your maps then use the map style associated with that map ID. For details, see [Add the map ID to your map](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization/get-map-id.md.txt#add-a-map-id-to-your-app). |
| 4 | **Adjust your map style online** | Whenever you need to change your map style, edit it in cloud styling. For details, see [Update a map style](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization/map-styles.md.txt#update-style). |
| 5 | **Publish your changed map style** | When you're ready to update a map style, publish it, and your new map style shows up in your application. For details, see [Publish a map style](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization/map-styles.md.txt#publish-style). |

## What's next

- Learn how to create [map IDs](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization/get-map-id.md.txt).
- Learn how to [create and use map styles](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/maps-3d/ios-sdk/cloud-customization/map-styles.md.txt)