# Enable Google Basemaps

{% hint style="danger" %}
**This documentation is for the CARTO Self-Hosted Legacy Version**. Use only if you've installed this specific version. Explore our latest documentation for updated features.
{% endhint %}

CARTO Self-hosted can be configured to use [Google Basemaps](https://docs.carto.com/carto-user-manual/maps/basemaps#google-maps) in the builder, allowing you to choose between different Basemap styles provided by Google. All you need is a Google Maps API key and a few simple configuration steps.

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0805052cb6268dba15f1a7b7ad7a4fdf77965182%2FCapture-2023-10-04-115526.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Generate Google Maps API key

The CARTO Self-hosted deployment needs a [Google Maps Javascript](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript) API key in order to use Google Basemaps from Builder. You can follow these steps to generate a new key:

1. **Enable Google Maps JavaScript API:**
   * In the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/), navigate to the **APIs & Services** section and go to the **Library** tab
   * Click on the **Enable APIs & Services** button
   * Search for **Google Maps JavaScript API** and enable it

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5068a6ac697c65eabb919579164ac242e01213b1%2FScreenshot%202023-10-04%20at%2012.10.25.png?alt=media" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. **Create Credentials:**

* After enabling the API, navigate to **Credentials tab**
* Click on **Create Credentials** and pick **API key**. Your new API key should appear as soon as it's generated!

<figure><img src="https://3029946802-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FybPdpmLltPkzGFvz7m8A%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5e3d2e46c03a17ad5a33cc7317a2d794179ec25b%2FCapture-2023-10-04-121552.png?alt=media" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. **Copy Your API Key:** This is the API Key that the CARTO Selfhosted instance will use to load the different Google Basemaps in Builder.

{% hint style="danger" %}
Ensure the security of your API key by applying a restrictive usage policy. After setting up your API key, consider configuring key restrictions such as restricting it to be used just for the Google Maps Javascript API or to enable the usage from your domain.
{% endhint %}

## Single VM deployments (Docker Compose)

To enable Google Maps basemaps within CARTO Self Hosted, you need to have a Google Maps API key enabled for the Maps JavaScript API and set it via `GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY` in your <mark style="color:orange;">customer.env</mark> file.

```
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=AIzaSyDkTNecQgCgw62pxxxxxxxxxxxx
```