diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 73145024..108a5ca2 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@ build/
 *.iml
 local.properties
 .DS_Store
+secure.properties
diff --git a/ApiDemos/java/README.md b/ApiDemos/java/README.md
index 859188aa..0d1a310c 100644
--- a/ApiDemos/java/README.md
+++ b/ApiDemos/java/README.md
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ Alternatively use the `gradlew build` command to build the project directly.
 This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key:
 
 1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
-1. Create a file in the `ApiDemos/java` directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
-1. Add a single line to `ApiDemos/java/secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
 1. Build and run
 
 Support
diff --git a/ApiDemos/java/app/build.gradle b/ApiDemos/java/app/build.gradle
index fea3eeaa..d5ad7752 100644
--- a/ApiDemos/java/app/build.gradle
+++ b/ApiDemos/java/app/build.gradle
@@ -15,15 +15,15 @@ android {
         versionName "1.0"
         multiDexEnabled true
 
-        // Read the API key from ApiDemos/java/secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
         def secureProps = new Properties()
-        if (file("../secure.properties").exists()) {
-            file("../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        if (file("../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
         }
         resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
 
         // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-        // 1. Create a file ApiDemos/java/secure.properties
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
         // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
         //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     }
diff --git a/ApiDemos/java/gradle.properties b/ApiDemos/java/gradle.properties
index 915f0e66..acf164f6 100644
--- a/ApiDemos/java/gradle.properties
+++ b/ApiDemos/java/gradle.properties
@@ -17,4 +17,4 @@
 # http://www.gradle.org/docs/current/userguide/multi_project_builds.html#sec:decoupled_projects
 # org.gradle.parallel=true
 android.enableJetifier=true
-android.useAndroidX=true
\ No newline at end of file
+android.useAndroidX=true
diff --git a/ApiDemos/kotlin/README.md b/ApiDemos/kotlin/README.md
index 67c40afa..871c867c 100644
--- a/ApiDemos/kotlin/README.md
+++ b/ApiDemos/kotlin/README.md
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ Alternatively use the `gradlew build` command to build the project directly.
 This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key:
 
 1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
-1. Create a file in the `ApiDemos/kotlin/app` directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
-1. Add a single line to `ApiDemos/kotlin/app/secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
 1. Build and run
 
 Support
diff --git a/ApiDemos/kotlin/app/build.gradle b/ApiDemos/kotlin/app/build.gradle
index a0c73a40..3180ed15 100644
--- a/ApiDemos/kotlin/app/build.gradle
+++ b/ApiDemos/kotlin/app/build.gradle
@@ -15,15 +15,15 @@ android {
         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
         multiDexEnabled true
 
-        // Read the API key from ApiDemos/kotlin/secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
         def secureProps = new Properties()
-        if (file("../secure.properties").exists()) {
-            file("../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        if (file("../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
         }
         resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
 
         // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-        // 1. Create a file ApiDemos/kotlin/secure.properties
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
         // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
         //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     }
diff --git a/ApiDemos/kotlin/app/src/main/res/values/google_maps_api.xml b/ApiDemos/kotlin/app/src/main/res/values/google_maps_api.xml
deleted file mode 100644
index c046c6e0..00000000
--- a/ApiDemos/kotlin/app/src/main/res/values/google_maps_api.xml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-<resources>
-    <!--
-    TODO: Before you run your application, you need a Google Maps API key.
-
-    See this page for more information:
-   https://developers.google.com/maps/gmp-get-started
-
-    Once you have your key (it starts with "AIza"), replace the "google_maps_key"
-    string in this file.
-
-    Note: This resource is used for the debug build target. Update this file if you just want to run
-    the demo app.
-    -->
-    <string name="google_maps_key" translatable="false" templateMergeStrategy="preserve">
-        YOUR_API_KEY
-    </string>
-</resources>
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 63beeb55..cd0bc975 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@ This repo contains the following samples:
 Displays a map on a Wear OS device. This sample demonstrates the basic
 setup required for a gradle-based Android Studio project.
 1. [Tutorials](https://github.com/googlemaps/android-samples/tree/master/tutorials): Samples
-associated with tutorials in the developer's guide. See each sample for a link to the associated
-guide.
+associated with tutorials in the developer's guide. See each sample for a link to the associated guide.
 
 
 Pre-requisites
@@ -37,12 +36,14 @@ In Android Studio, use the "Import non-Android Studio project" or
 repository.
 If prompted for a gradle configuration accept the default settings.
 
-Alternatively use the "gradlew build" command to build the project directly.
+Alternatively use the `gradlew build` command to build the project directly.
 
-Search for `YOUR_API_KEY` in the project and replace it with your API key.
-Some samples store this in the gradle.properties file and others store it in the google_maps_api.xml file.
-See the [Get Started with Google Maps Platform](https://developers.google.com/maps/gmp-get-started) 
-guide to get an API key.
+The demo apps require that you add your own Google Maps API key:
+
+1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
+1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+1. Build and run
 
 Support
 -------
diff --git a/secure.properties.template b/secure.properties.template
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ad5874bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/secure.properties.template
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# This is a template for the `secure.properties` file
+# To use this, replace "YOUR_API_KEY" with your GMP API key and rename this file to `secure.properties`
+MAPS_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"
diff --git a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/README.md b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/README.md
index 1c98a921..be9f59a0 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/README.md
+++ b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/README.md
@@ -22,11 +22,15 @@ This sample uses the Gradle build system.
   "Import Project" option.
 1. Select the `CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap` directory that you downloaded with this repository.
 1. If prompted for a gradle configuration, accept the default settings.
-  Alternatively use the "gradlew build" command to build the project directly.
-1. Add your API key to your app's `gradle.properties` file.
-  (For information on getting an API key, see the
-  [documentation](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-api/signup).)
+  Alternatively use the `gradlew build` command to build the project directly.
 
+This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key: 
+  
+  1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
+  1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+  1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+  1. Build and run
+  
 Support
 -------
 
diff --git a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle
index 810de56f..dad23acf 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle
+++ b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle
@@ -10,7 +10,19 @@ android {
         versionCode 1
         versionName "1.0"
         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
-        resValue "string", "google_maps_key", (project.findProperty("GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
+
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        def secureProps = new Properties()
+        if (file("../../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        }
+        resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
+
+        // To add your Maps API key to this project:
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
+        // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
+        //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
+
     }
     buildTypes {
         debug {
diff --git a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 4e780eb1..9f1a7b7e 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
         -->
         <meta-data
             android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
-            android:value="@string/google_maps_key" />
+            android:value="@string/maps_api_key" />
 
         <activity
             android:name="com.example.currentplacedetailsonmap.MapsActivityCurrentPlace"
diff --git a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/java/com/example/currentplacedetailsonmap/MapsActivityCurrentPlace.java b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/java/com/example/currentplacedetailsonmap/MapsActivityCurrentPlace.java
index f3a6d027..13148d1a 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/java/com/example/currentplacedetailsonmap/MapsActivityCurrentPlace.java
+++ b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/java/com/example/currentplacedetailsonmap/MapsActivityCurrentPlace.java
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ public class MapsActivityCurrentPlace extends AppCompatActivity
 
         // [START_EXCLUDE silent]
         // Construct a PlacesClient
-        Places.initialize(getApplicationContext(), getString(R.string.google_maps_key));
+        Places.initialize(getApplicationContext(), getString(R.string.maps_api_key));
         placesClient = Places.createClient(this);
 
         // Construct a FusedLocationProviderClient.
diff --git a/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/README.md b/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/README.md
index 985c10f6..5927bbbc 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/README.md
+++ b/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/README.md
@@ -22,15 +22,13 @@ This sample uses the Gradle build system.
   `tutorials/java/MapWithMarker` directory that you downloaded
 1. If prompted for a gradle configuration, accept the default settings.
   Alternatively use the `gradlew build` command to build the project directly.
-  
+
 This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key:
 
-1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
-1. Create a file in the `tutorials/java/MapWithMarker` directory called `secure.properties` 
-  (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
-1. Add a single line to `tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/secure.properties` that looks like 
-  `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
-1. Build and run
+  1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
+  1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+  1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+  1. Build and run
 
 Support
 -------
diff --git a/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle b/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle
index 9182f816..0a291dd0 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle
+++ b/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle
@@ -11,15 +11,15 @@ android {
         versionName "1.0"
         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
 
-        // Read the API key from tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
         def secureProps = new Properties()
-        if (file("secure.properties").exists()) {
-            file("secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        if (file("../../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
         }
         resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
 
         // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-        // 1. Create a file tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/secure.properties
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
         // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
         //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     }
diff --git a/tutorials/java/Polygons/README.md b/tutorials/java/Polygons/README.md
index e6a9b4e5..47b332da 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/Polygons/README.md
+++ b/tutorials/java/Polygons/README.md
@@ -26,12 +26,10 @@ This sample uses the Gradle build system.
   
 This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key:
 
-1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
-1. Create a file in the `tutorials/java/Polygons/app` directory called `secure.properties` 
-  (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
-1. Add a single line to `tutorials/java/Polygons/secure.properties` that looks like 
-  `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
-1. Build and run
+  1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
+  1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+  1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+  1. Build and run
 
 Support
 -------
diff --git a/tutorials/java/Polygons/app/build.gradle b/tutorials/java/Polygons/app/build.gradle
index 7345abe0..af44089c 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/Polygons/app/build.gradle
+++ b/tutorials/java/Polygons/app/build.gradle
@@ -11,17 +11,18 @@ android {
         versionName "1.0"
         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
 
-        // Read the API key from tutorials/java/Polygons/app/secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
         def secureProps = new Properties()
-        if (file("secure.properties").exists()) {
-            file("secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        if (file("../../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
         }
         resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
 
         // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-        // 1. Create a file tutorials/java/Polygons/app/secure.properties
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
         // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
         //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
+
     }
     buildTypes {
         release {
@@ -38,4 +39,4 @@ dependencies {
     testImplementation 'junit:junit:4.13'
     androidTestImplementation 'androidx.test.ext:junit:1.1.1'
     androidTestImplementation 'androidx.test.espresso:espresso-core:3.2.0'
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/tutorials/java/StyledMap/README.md b/tutorials/java/StyledMap/README.md
index e5625b05..843c8b45 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/StyledMap/README.md
+++ b/tutorials/java/StyledMap/README.md
@@ -23,9 +23,13 @@ This sample uses the Gradle build system.
 1. Select the `StyledMap` directory that you downloaded with this repository.
 1. If prompted for a gradle configuration, accept the default settings.
   Alternatively use the "gradlew build" command to build the project directly.
-1. Add your API key to your app's `gradle.properties` file.
-  (For information on getting an API key, see the
-  [documentation](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-api/signup).)
+
+This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key:
+
+  1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
+  1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+  1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+  1. Build and run
 
 Support
 -------
diff --git a/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/build.gradle b/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/build.gradle
index 1a87c7b4..d0e1089b 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/build.gradle
+++ b/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/build.gradle
@@ -10,7 +10,18 @@ android {
         versionCode 1
         versionName "1.0"
         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
-        resValue "string", "google_maps_key", (project.findProperty("GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
+        
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        def secureProps = new Properties()
+        if (file("../../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        }
+        resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
+
+        // To add your Maps API key to this project:
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
+        // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
+        //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     }
     buildTypes {
         release {
diff --git a/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 2ec69312..2afc1f05 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
         -->
         <meta-data
             android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
-            android:value="@string/google_maps_key" />
+            android:value="@string/maps_api_key" />
 
         <activity android:name=".MapsActivityRaw"
             android:label="@string/title_activity_maps">
@@ -30,4 +30,4 @@
         </activity>
     </application>
 
-</manifest>
\ No newline at end of file
+</manifest>
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/README.md b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/README.md
index 1c98a921..a9362f23 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/README.md
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/README.md
@@ -22,10 +22,15 @@ This sample uses the Gradle build system.
   "Import Project" option.
 1. Select the `CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap` directory that you downloaded with this repository.
 1. If prompted for a gradle configuration, accept the default settings.
-  Alternatively use the "gradlew build" command to build the project directly.
-1. Add your API key to your app's `gradle.properties` file.
-  (For information on getting an API key, see the
-  [documentation](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-api/signup).)
+  Alternatively use the `gradlew build` command to build the project directly.
+
+This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key:
+
+  1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
+  1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+  1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+  1. Build and run
+
 
 Support
 -------
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle
index 7e1436c9..e26e8e05 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle
@@ -12,7 +12,19 @@ android {
         versionCode 1
         versionName "1.0"
         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
-        resValue "string", "google_maps_key", (project.findProperty("GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
+
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        def secureProps = new Properties()
+        if (file("../../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        }
+        resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
+
+        // To add your Maps API key to this project:
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
+        // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
+        //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
+
     }
     buildTypes {
         debug {
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 4e780eb1..0db22bb8 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
         -->
         <meta-data
             android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
-            android:value="@string/google_maps_key" />
+            android:value="@string/maps_api_key" />
 
         <activity
             android:name="com.example.currentplacedetailsonmap.MapsActivityCurrentPlace"
@@ -32,4 +32,4 @@
         </activity>
     </application>
 
-</manifest>
\ No newline at end of file
+</manifest>
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/java/com/example/currentplacedetailsonmap/MapsActivityCurrentPlace.kt b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/java/com/example/currentplacedetailsonmap/MapsActivityCurrentPlace.kt
index 7cef4b83..59e2a0bf 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/java/com/example/currentplacedetailsonmap/MapsActivityCurrentPlace.kt
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/src/main/java/com/example/currentplacedetailsonmap/MapsActivityCurrentPlace.kt
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class MapsActivityCurrentPlace : AppCompatActivity(), OnMapReadyCallback {
 
         // [START_EXCLUDE silent]
         // Construct a PlacesClient
-        Places.initialize(applicationContext, getString(R.string.google_maps_key))
+        Places.initialize(applicationContext, getString(R.string.maps_api_key))
         placesClient = Places.createClient(this)
 
         // Construct a FusedLocationProviderClient.
@@ -407,4 +407,4 @@ class MapsActivityCurrentPlace : AppCompatActivity(), OnMapReadyCallback {
         // Used for selecting the current place.
         private const val M_MAX_ENTRIES = 5
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/README.md b/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/README.md
index 75ef5d1e..8718f456 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/README.md
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/README.md
@@ -22,15 +22,14 @@ This sample uses the Gradle build system.
   `tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker` directory that you downloaded
 1. If prompted for a gradle configuration, accept the default settings.
   Alternatively use the `gradlew build` command to build the project directly.
-  
+
 This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key:
 
-1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
-1. Create a file in the `tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker` directory called `secure.properties` 
-  (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
-1. Add a single line to `tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/secure.properties` that looks like 
-  `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
-1. Build and run
+  1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
+  1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+  1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+  1. Build and run
+
 
 Support
 -------
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle b/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle
index a11b314f..f8f79d23 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle
@@ -13,15 +13,15 @@ android {
         versionName "1.0"
         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
 
-        // Read the API key from tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
         def secureProps = new Properties()
-        if (file("secure.properties").exists()) {
-            file("secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        if (file("../../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
         }
         resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
 
         // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-        // 1. Create a file tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/secure.properties
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
         // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
         //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     }
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/README.md b/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/README.md
index e47c5c36..ccafe9a5 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/README.md
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/README.md
@@ -23,15 +23,13 @@ This sample uses the Gradle build system.
 1. Select the `Polygons` directory that you downloaded with this repository.
 1. If prompted for a gradle configuration, accept the default settings.
   Alternatively use the `gradlew build` command to build the project directly.
-  
+
 This demo app requires that you add your own Google Maps API key:
 
-1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
-1. Create a file in the `tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app` directory called `secure.properties` 
-  (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
-1. Add a single line to `tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/secure.properties` that looks like 
-  `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
-1. Build and run
+  1. [Get a Maps API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android-sdk/get-api-key)
+  1. Create a file in the root directory called `secure.properties` (this file should *NOT* be under version control to protect your API key)
+  1. Add a single line to `secure.properties` that looks like `MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY`, where `YOUR_API_KEY` is the API key you obtained in the first step
+  1. Build and run
 
 Support
 -------
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app/build.gradle b/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app/build.gradle
index 932a919e..f6f5e005 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app/build.gradle
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app/build.gradle
@@ -13,15 +13,15 @@ android {
         versionName "1.0"
         testInstrumentationRunner "android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
 
-        // Read the API key from tutorials/java/Polygons/app/secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
+        // Read the API key from ./secure.properties into R.string.maps_api_key
         def secureProps = new Properties()
-        if (file("secure.properties").exists()) {
-            file("secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
+        if (file("../../../../secure.properties").exists()) {
+            file("../../../../secure.properties")?.withInputStream { secureProps.load(it) }
         }
         resValue "string", "maps_api_key", (secureProps.getProperty("MAPS_API_KEY") ?: "")
 
         // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-        // 1. Create a file tutorials/java/Polygons/app/secure.properties
+        // 1. Create a file ./secure.properties
         // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
         //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     }