Persistent Google Maps SDK Integration Issue in iOS Project

Question

I'm currently facing a significant hurdle in my iOS development project using Flutter, where I've integrated the Google Maps SDK via CocoaPods. After more than 5 days of troubleshooting, I'm still encountering the same error, which has proven to be extremely time-consuming and frustrating:

Error Details:

• Error (Xcode): Failed to load XCFramework at '/Users/rao/AERLTO2/aerlto/ios/Pods/GoogleMaps/Maps/Frameworks/GoogleMaps.xcframework': 'HeadersPath' is not supported for a 'framework' in library 'ios-arm64'.

• Error (Xcode): Failed to load XCFramework at '/Users/rao/AERLTO2/aerlto/ios/Pods/GoogleMaps/Base/Frameworks/GoogleMapsBase.xcframework': 'HeadersPath' is not supported for a 'framework' in library 'ios-arm64'.

Attempts to Resolve:

• Updated and downgraded GoogleMaps and Google-Maps-iOS-Utils pods to various versions.

• Modified the Podfile to explicitly manage architectures (excluding arm64 for the simulator).

• Cleaned the project multiple times, including Derived Data and CocoaPods cache.

• Manually edited the Info.plist files within the XCFrameworks to comment out or remove HeadersPath entries.

• Ensured all dependencies are compatible by checking versions and settings in Xcode:

  • Adjusted build settings like EXCLUDED_ARCHS for simulators.

  • Checked that frameworks are set to "Embed & Sign" in the project settings.

• Reinstalled pods several times after deintegrating.

• Updated Xcode, Flutter, and CocoaPods to the latest compatible versions.

• Tried running on both simulator and physical devices with no success on the simulator.

Environment:

• Xcode: Version 16.2 (16C5032a)

• Flutter: 3.27.1

• CocoaPods: 1.16.2

• Google Maps SDK: Version 8.4.0 along with Google-Maps-iOS-Utils 5.0.0

Current Podfile Configuration:

ruby

platform :ios, '14.0'

# CocoaPods analytics sends network stats synchronously affecting flutter build latency.
ENV['COCOAPODS_DISABLE_STATS'] = 'true'

project 'Runner', {
  'Debug' => :debug,
  'Profile' => :release,
  'Release' => :release,
}

def flutter_root
  generated_xcode_build_settings_path = File.expand_path(File.join('..', 'Flutter', 'Generated.xcconfig'), __FILE__)
  unless File.exist?(generated_xcode_build_settings_path)
    raise "#{generated_xcode_build_settings_path} must exist. If you're running pod install manually, make sure flutter pub get is executed first"
  end

  File.foreach(generated_xcode_build_settings_path) do |line|
    matches = line.match(/FLUTTER_ROOT\=(.*)/)
    return matches[1].strip if matches
  end
  raise "FLUTTER_ROOT not found in #{generated_xcode_build_settings_path}. Try deleting Generated.xcconfig, then run flutter pub get"
end

require File.expand_path(File.join('packages', 'flutter_tools', 'bin', 'podhelper'), flutter_root)

flutter_ios_podfile_setup

target 'Runner' do
  use_frameworks!
  use_modular_headers!

  # Ensure GoogleMaps and Google-Maps-iOS-Utils are included correctly
  pod 'GoogleMaps'
  pod 'Google-Maps-iOS-Utils'

  flutter_install_all_ios_pods File.dirname(File.realpath(__FILE__))

  target 'RunnerTests' do
    inherit! :search_paths
  end
end

post_install do |installer|
  installer.pods_project.targets.each do |target|
    flutter_additional_ios_build_settings(target)
    target.build_configurations.each do |config|
      config.build_settings['EXCLUDED_ARCHS[sdk=iphonesimulator*]'] = 'arm64'
    end
  end
end

Request for Help: I'm at a loss for what could be causing this issue to persist. I've scoured forums, documentation, and attempted all the solutions I could find. I'm reaching out for any additional insights or solutions that might help resolve this matter. Specifically, I'm looking for:

• Any known issues with this SDK version or setup with M1 Macs or Flutter projects?

• Alternative approaches to include Google Maps in a Flutter iOS app?

• Is there a compatibility issue I've overlooked with my current setup?

Any guidance or assistance would be greatly appreciated as this is blocking significant project progress. Thank you for your time