CODE EXAMPLE FOR JAVA

java.lang.noclassdeffounderror: failed resolution of: lorg/apache/http/protocolversion;

This is no longer a bug or a workaround, it is required if your app targets API Level 28 (Android 9.0) or above and uses the Google Maps SDK for Android 16.0.0 or below (or if your app uses the Apache HTTP Legacy library). It is now included in the official docs. The public issue has been closed as intended behavior.