Android Question Google AdMob publishers are required to specify a <meta-data> tag

[Pendrush]

AdMob SDK release notes has some new requirement for 17.0.0 version:

Google AdMob publishers are required to specify a <meta-data> tag with key com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID in their AndroidManifest.xml. Refer to the Get Started guide for more details.

As I can see, everything work without adding additional <meta-data> tag in manifest, but I can also read on Get Started guide this text:

Important: This step is required as of Google Mobile Ads SDK version 17.0.0. Failure to add this <meta-data> tag results in a crash with the message: "The Google Mobile Ads SDK was initialized incorrectly."

I'm planing to update app and use latest AdMOb SDK 17.0.0.

Question is: do we need to add this tag in manifest, as everything work without <meta-data> tag?

 

[Erel]

You can add it with AddApplicationText:

AddApplicationText(
<meta-data
            android:name="com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID"
            android:value="[ADMOB_APP_ID]"/>
)

Sounds like a good idea to add it.

 

[Pendrush]

I have update my app(s) yesterday with exact same manifest text.

 

[asales]

In the same link:
https://developers.google.com/admob/android/quick-start#initialize_mobileads
I have this information:
Before loading ads, have your app initialize the Mobile Ads SDK by calling MobileAds.initialize() with your AdMob App ID. This needs to be done only once, ideally at app launch.

I use banners, interstitial and native ads.
I need to do this?
If yes, how I can initialize with the AdMob App ID?

 

[Erel]

You should always start a new thread for your questions.