Google Maps V2 - Error inflating class Fragment

Question

I'm trying my hand and Android Application Development. I'm currently using Eclipse (I can't remember the version, whatever the newest is). I've crossed a bridge where I just can't seem to grasp what I'm doing wrong. I'm attempting to use the Google Maps V2 API. I've been through several documents and tried several techniques, all of which lead to the same error:

Android.view.Inflate Exception: Binary XML file line #2: Error inflating class fragment

I've been pounding my face into the keys for 2 days straight trying to grasp what I'm doing wrong here.

Things I've done:

1. Started with a blank activity.
2. Project -> Properties -> Android -> Project Build Target is Google APIs - 4.2 - API 17 - I've tried every other option as well (as long as above version 3.0, found it documented
3. Added the google-play-services_lib to my Package Explorer. I indicated that the google-play-services_lib was indeed a library.
4. Project -> Properties -> Android -> Library -> Add -> and I choose the location to the google-play-services_lib.
5. Included android-support-v4.jar as a dependency of my project.

I've tried so many different answers from questions similar to mine, but to no avail. :( I can usually figure these things out, but maybe I'm just too overloaded.

My package explorer tree in eclipse looks like

1. google-play-services_lib
2. Svma

Here's the code:>

activity_main.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<fragment xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:id="@+id/map"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    class="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"/>

Manifest

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.testing.svma"
    android:versionCode="1"
    android:versionName="1.0" >

    <uses-sdk
        android:minSdkVersion="17"
        android:targetSdkVersion="17" />

    <permission
        android:name="com.testing.svma.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE"
        android:protectionLevel="signature" />

    <uses-permission android:name="com.testing.svma.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
    <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES" />

    <application
        android:allowBackup="true"
        android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:theme="@style/AppTheme" >
        <activity
            android:name="com.testing.svma.MainActivity"
            android:label="@string/app_name" >
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <meta-data
            android:name="com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY"
            android:value="SHA1_Generated_KEY_HERE" />
    </application>

    <uses-feature
        android:glEsVersion="0x00020000"
        android:required="true" />
</manifest>

MainActivity.java

package com.testing.svma;

import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.v4.app.FragmentActivity;

public class MainActivity extends FragmentActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {

        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);


    }
}

Reference Documents

1. I used “Error inflating class fragment” with google map to try and fix my issues.

2. I referenced This google maps quick start guide to create my project.

3. I had started initially with the sample code from the Introduction to the Google Maps Android V2 Api

4. A whole slew of SO questions.

So, SO Community, what am I doing wrong? Why am I unable to grasp this simple concept.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

I know this is probably a dead thread but just in case someone stumbles upon here having an identical problem - your manifest might be missing the following meta information:

<meta-data
    android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
    android:value="@integer/google_play_services_version" />

Declare it within the <application> element and your code should work. I ran into the same issue following a youtube tutorial that skipped this step and only when carefully going through the original Google tutorial I noticed the missing code.

Anyway, hope this helps someone.