Loading Google Maps, a weird error : Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token ? in older versions of chrome

Question

I am getting a weird error in some older versions of chrome, probably 2019 ( I am using an embedded chrome browser ) when I try to load google maps. It does not throw an error in the current versions of chrome.(2020 and onwards is fine) It has started all of a sudden.

<script src="https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?key=apikey"></script>

js?key=apikey:67 Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token ?

I am really curious what might be the error is, can anyone shed light on this?

Thanks

Answer 1

Google map v=3.53 is good quick fix. It won't work in long term because Google removing older version every quarter.

Current Google map failing in old browser (version 79 or older) because of null coalescing operator (??).

?? It will work Chrome 80 or greater version.

Answer 2

I have the same problem. I have added "v=3.53" in url to force use an older version of the API. Google has update API on 18 August 2023. https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?libraries=places&key=...&v=3.53

This solution has solved my problem, I didn't want to update my electron app. Maybe this solution help you.