diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index fcbf50668..3712807e1 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 - upgraded Flutter to stable v3.0.1
 - stretching overscroll effect
+- disabled Google Maps layer on Android Lollipop
 
 ### Fixed
 
diff --git a/android/app/src/main/kotlin/deckers/thibault/aves/channel/calls/DeviceHandler.kt b/android/app/src/main/kotlin/deckers/thibault/aves/channel/calls/DeviceHandler.kt
index be8ee35ee..7bb635ad6 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/kotlin/deckers/thibault/aves/channel/calls/DeviceHandler.kt
+++ b/android/app/src/main/kotlin/deckers/thibault/aves/channel/calls/DeviceHandler.kt
@@ -32,10 +32,6 @@ class DeviceHandler(private val context: Context) : MethodCallHandler {
                 "canPinShortcut" to ShortcutManagerCompat.isRequestPinShortcutSupported(context),
                 "canPrint" to (sdkInt >= Build.VERSION_CODES.KITKAT),
                 "canRenderFlagEmojis" to (sdkInt >= Build.VERSION_CODES.LOLLIPOP),
-                // as of google_maps_flutter v2.1.1, minSDK is 20 because of default PlatformView usage,
-                // but using hybrid composition would make it usable on API 19 too,
-                // cf https://github.com/flutter/flutter/issues/23728
-                "canRenderGoogleMaps" to (sdkInt >= Build.VERSION_CODES.KITKAT_WATCH),
                 "showPinShortcutFeedback" to (sdkInt >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O),
                 "supportEdgeToEdgeUIMode" to (sdkInt >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q),
             )
diff --git a/lib/model/availability.dart b/lib/model/availability.dart
index 86f9c4640..fb5446d6e 100644
--- a/lib/model/availability.dart
+++ b/lib/model/availability.dart
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
-import 'package:aves/model/device.dart';
-import 'package:aves_services_platform/aves_services_platform.dart';
+import 'package:aves/model/settings/enums/map_style.dart';
+import 'package:aves/services/common/services.dart';
+import 'package:aves_map/aves_map.dart';
 import 'package:connectivity_plus/connectivity_plus.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 
@@ -10,7 +11,7 @@ abstract class AvesAvailability {
 
   Future<bool> get canLocatePlaces;
 
-  Future<bool> get canUseDeviceMaps;
+  List<EntryMapStyle> get mapStyles;
 }
 
 class LiveAvesAvailability implements AvesAvailability {
@@ -42,11 +43,11 @@ class LiveAvesAvailability implements AvesAvailability {
   // local geocoding with `geocoder` seems to require Google Play Services
   // what about devices with Huawei Mobile Services?
   @override
-  Future<bool> get canLocatePlaces => Future.wait<bool>([
-        isConnected,
-        PlatformMobileServices().isServiceAvailable(),
-      ]).then((results) => results.every((result) => result));
+  Future<bool> get canLocatePlaces async => mobileServices.isServiceAvailable && await isConnected;
 
   @override
-  Future<bool> get canUseDeviceMaps async => device.canRenderGoogleMaps && await PlatformMobileServices().isServiceAvailable();
+  List<EntryMapStyle> get mapStyles => [
+        ...mobileServices.mapStyles,
+        ...EntryMapStyle.values.where((v) => !v.needMobileService),
+      ];
 }
diff --git a/lib/model/device.dart b/lib/model/device.dart
index e26583f61..ab288f972 100644
--- a/lib/model/device.dart
+++ b/lib/model/device.dart
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ final Device device = Device._private();
 
 class Device {
   late final String _userAgent;
-  late final bool _canGrantDirectoryAccess, _canPinShortcut, _canPrint, _canRenderFlagEmojis, _canRenderGoogleMaps;
+  late final bool _canGrantDirectoryAccess, _canPinShortcut, _canPrint, _canRenderFlagEmojis;
   late final bool _showPinShortcutFeedback, _supportEdgeToEdgeUIMode;
 
   String get userAgent => _userAgent;
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ class Device {
 
   bool get canRenderFlagEmojis => _canRenderFlagEmojis;
 
-  bool get canRenderGoogleMaps => _canRenderGoogleMaps;
-
   bool get showPinShortcutFeedback => _showPinShortcutFeedback;
 
   bool get supportEdgeToEdgeUIMode => _supportEdgeToEdgeUIMode;
@@ -35,7 +33,6 @@ class Device {
     _canPinShortcut = capabilities['canPinShortcut'] ?? false;
     _canPrint = capabilities['canPrint'] ?? false;
     _canRenderFlagEmojis = capabilities['canRenderFlagEmojis'] ?? false;
-    _canRenderGoogleMaps = capabilities['canRenderGoogleMaps'] ?? false;
     _showPinShortcutFeedback = capabilities['showPinShortcutFeedback'] ?? false;
     _supportEdgeToEdgeUIMode = capabilities['supportEdgeToEdgeUIMode'] ?? false;
   }
diff --git a/lib/model/settings/enums/map_style.dart b/lib/model/settings/enums/map_style.dart
index 359436b2b..3bed08e31 100644
--- a/lib/model/settings/enums/map_style.dart
+++ b/lib/model/settings/enums/map_style.dart
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ extension ExtraEntryMapStyle on EntryMapStyle {
     }
   }
 
-  bool get needDeviceService {
+  bool get needMobileService {
     switch (this) {
       case EntryMapStyle.osmHot:
       case EntryMapStyle.stamenToner:
diff --git a/lib/model/settings/settings.dart b/lib/model/settings/settings.dart
index eb97a8afb..6c0617863 100644
--- a/lib/model/settings/settings.dart
+++ b/lib/model/settings/settings.dart
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import 'package:aves/model/source/enums.dart';
 import 'package:aves/services/accessibility_service.dart';
 import 'package:aves/services/common/services.dart';
 import 'package:aves_map/aves_map.dart';
-import 'package:aves_services_platform/aves_services_platform.dart';
 import 'package:collection/collection.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/services.dart';
@@ -165,11 +164,11 @@ class Settings extends ChangeNotifier {
     enableOverlayBlurEffect = performanceClass >= 29;
 
     // availability
-    final isDeviceMapAvailable = await availability.canUseDeviceMaps;
-    if (isDeviceMapAvailable) {
-      infoMapStyle = PlatformMobileServices().defaultMapStyle;
+    final defaultMapStyle = mobileServices.defaultMapStyle;
+    if (mobileServices.mapStyles.contains(defaultMapStyle)) {
+      infoMapStyle = defaultMapStyle;
     } else {
-      final styles = EntryMapStyle.values.whereNot((v) => v.needDeviceService).toList();
+      final styles = EntryMapStyle.values.whereNot((v) => v.needMobileService).toList();
       infoMapStyle = styles[Random().nextInt(styles.length)];
     }
 
@@ -516,7 +515,11 @@ class Settings extends ChangeNotifier {
 
   // info
 
-  EntryMapStyle get infoMapStyle => getEnumOrDefault(infoMapStyleKey, SettingsDefaults.infoMapStyle, EntryMapStyle.values);
+  EntryMapStyle get infoMapStyle {
+    final preferred = getEnumOrDefault(infoMapStyleKey, SettingsDefaults.infoMapStyle, EntryMapStyle.values);
+    final available = availability.mapStyles;
+    return available.contains(preferred) ? preferred : available.first;
+  }
 
   set infoMapStyle(EntryMapStyle newValue) => setAndNotify(infoMapStyleKey, newValue.toString());
 
diff --git a/lib/services/common/services.dart b/lib/services/common/services.dart
index 12f817a61..9a2a1e062 100644
--- a/lib/services/common/services.dart
+++ b/lib/services/common/services.dart
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import 'package:aves/services/storage_service.dart';
 import 'package:aves/services/window_service.dart';
 import 'package:aves_report/aves_report.dart';
 import 'package:aves_report_platform/aves_report_platform.dart';
+import 'package:aves_services/aves_services.dart';
+import 'package:aves_services_platform/aves_services_platform.dart';
 import 'package:get_it/get_it.dart';
 import 'package:path/path.dart' as p;
 
@@ -33,6 +35,7 @@ final MediaFileService mediaFileService = getIt<MediaFileService>();
 final MediaStoreService mediaStoreService = getIt<MediaStoreService>();
 final MetadataEditService metadataEditService = getIt<MetadataEditService>();
 final MetadataFetchService metadataFetchService = getIt<MetadataFetchService>();
+final MobileServices mobileServices = getIt<MobileServices>();
 final ReportService reportService = getIt<ReportService>();
 final StorageService storageService = getIt<StorageService>();
 final WindowService windowService = getIt<WindowService>();
@@ -49,6 +52,7 @@ void initPlatformServices() {
   getIt.registerLazySingleton<MediaStoreService>(PlatformMediaStoreService.new);
   getIt.registerLazySingleton<MetadataEditService>(PlatformMetadataEditService.new);
   getIt.registerLazySingleton<MetadataFetchService>(PlatformMetadataFetchService.new);
+  getIt.registerLazySingleton<MobileServices>(PlatformMobileServices.new);
   getIt.registerLazySingleton<ReportService>(PlatformReportService.new);
   getIt.registerLazySingleton<StorageService>(PlatformStorageService.new);
   getIt.registerLazySingleton<WindowService>(PlatformWindowService.new);
diff --git a/lib/widgets/about/bug_report.dart b/lib/widgets/about/bug_report.dart
index 1dff3e106..2cdb16d6e 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/about/bug_report.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/about/bug_report.dart
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import 'package:aves/widgets/common/action_mixins/feedback.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/common/extensions/build_context.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/common/identity/aves_filter_chip.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/common/identity/buttons.dart';
-import 'package:aves_services_platform/aves_services_platform.dart';
 import 'package:device_info_plus/device_info_plus.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/services.dart';
@@ -145,7 +144,6 @@ class _BugReportState extends State<BugReport> with FeedbackMixin {
     final packageInfo = await PackageInfo.fromPlatform();
     final androidInfo = await DeviceInfoPlugin().androidInfo;
     final installer = await androidAppService.getAppInstaller();
-    final hasMobileServices = await PlatformMobileServices().isServiceAvailable();
     final flavor = context.read<AppFlavor>().toString().split('.')[1];
     return [
       'Aves version: ${packageInfo.version}-$flavor (Build ${packageInfo.buildNumber})',
@@ -153,7 +151,7 @@ class _BugReportState extends State<BugReport> with FeedbackMixin {
       'Android version: ${androidInfo.version.release} (SDK ${androidInfo.version.sdkInt})',
       'Android build: ${androidInfo.display}',
       'Device: ${androidInfo.manufacturer} ${androidInfo.model}',
-      'Mobile services: ${hasMobileServices ? 'ready' : 'not available'}',
+      'Mobile services: ${mobileServices.isServiceAvailable ? 'ready' : 'not available'}',
       'System locales: ${WidgetsBinding.instance.window.locales.join(', ')}',
       'Aves locale: ${settings.locale ?? 'system'} -> ${settings.appliedLocale}',
       'Installer: $installer',
diff --git a/lib/widgets/aves_app.dart b/lib/widgets/aves_app.dart
index 655268c5c..7c25a05d1 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/aves_app.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/aves_app.dart
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ import 'package:aves/widgets/common/extensions/build_context.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/common/providers/highlight_info_provider.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/home_page.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/welcome_page.dart';
-import 'package:aves_services_platform/aves_services_platform.dart';
 import 'package:equatable/equatable.dart';
 import 'package:fijkplayer/fijkplayer.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
@@ -225,6 +224,7 @@ class _AvesAppState extends State<AvesApp> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     final stopwatch = Stopwatch()..start();
 
     await device.init();
+    await mobileServices.init();
     await settings.init(monitorPlatformSettings: true);
     settings.isRotationLocked = await windowService.isRotationLocked();
     settings.areAnimationsRemoved = await AccessibilityService.areAnimationsRemoved();
@@ -273,14 +273,13 @@ class _AvesAppState extends State<AvesApp> with WidgetsBindingObserver {
 
     FlutterError.onError = reportService.recordFlutterError;
     final now = DateTime.now();
-    final hasMobileServices = await PlatformMobileServices().isServiceAvailable();
     await reportService.setCustomKeys({
       'build_mode': kReleaseMode
           ? 'release'
           : kProfileMode
               ? 'profile'
               : 'debug',
-      'has_mobile_services': hasMobileServices,
+      'has_mobile_services': mobileServices.isServiceAvailable,
       'locales': WidgetsBinding.instance.window.locales.join(', '),
       'time_zone': '${now.timeZoneName} (${now.timeZoneOffset})',
     });
diff --git a/lib/widgets/common/map/buttons/panel.dart b/lib/widgets/common/map/buttons/panel.dart
index 31d0505b9..62377021b 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/common/map/buttons/panel.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/common/map/buttons/panel.dart
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import 'package:aves/widgets/common/map/buttons/coordinate_filter.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/common/map/compass.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/dialogs/aves_selection_dialog.dart';
 import 'package:aves_map/aves_map.dart';
-import 'package:aves_services_platform/aves_services_platform.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:latlong2/latlong.dart';
 import 'package:provider/provider.dart';
@@ -125,24 +124,15 @@ class MapButtonPanel extends StatelessWidget {
                       padding: EdgeInsets.only(top: padding),
                       child: MapOverlayButton(
                         icon: const Icon(AIcons.layers),
-                        onPressed: () async {
-                          final canUseDeviceMaps = await availability.canUseDeviceMaps;
-                          final availableStyles = [
-                            if (canUseDeviceMaps) ...PlatformMobileServices().mapStyles,
-                            ...EntryMapStyle.values.where((v) => !v.needDeviceService),
-                          ];
-                          final preferredStyle = settings.infoMapStyle;
-                          final initialStyle = availableStyles.contains(preferredStyle) ? preferredStyle : availableStyles.first;
-                          await showSelectionDialog<EntryMapStyle>(
-                            context: context,
-                            builder: (context) => AvesSelectionDialog<EntryMapStyle>(
-                              initialValue: initialStyle,
-                              options: Map.fromEntries(availableStyles.map((v) => MapEntry(v, v.getName(context)))),
-                              title: context.l10n.mapStyleTitle,
-                            ),
-                            onSelection: (v) => settings.infoMapStyle = v,
-                          );
-                        },
+                        onPressed: () => showSelectionDialog<EntryMapStyle>(
+                          context: context,
+                          builder: (context) => AvesSelectionDialog<EntryMapStyle>(
+                            initialValue: settings.infoMapStyle,
+                            options: Map.fromEntries(availability.mapStyles.map((v) => MapEntry(v, v.getName(context)))),
+                            title: context.l10n.mapStyleTitle,
+                          ),
+                          onSelection: (v) => settings.infoMapStyle = v,
+                        ),
                         tooltip: context.l10n.mapStyleTooltip,
                       ),
                     ),
diff --git a/lib/widgets/common/map/geo_map.dart b/lib/widgets/common/map/geo_map.dart
index a6c598cb3..44de80547 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/common/map/geo_map.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/common/map/geo_map.dart
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import 'package:aves/model/entry.dart';
 import 'package:aves/model/entry_images.dart';
 import 'package:aves/model/settings/enums/map_style.dart';
 import 'package:aves/model/settings/settings.dart';
+import 'package:aves/services/common/services.dart';
 import 'package:aves/theme/durations.dart';
 import 'package:aves/utils/change_notifier.dart';
 import 'package:aves/utils/constants.dart';
@@ -15,7 +16,6 @@ import 'package:aves/widgets/common/map/decorator.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/common/map/leaflet/map.dart';
 import 'package:aves/widgets/common/thumbnail/image.dart';
 import 'package:aves_map/aves_map.dart';
-import 'package:aves_services_platform/aves_services_platform.dart';
 import 'package:collection/collection.dart';
 import 'package:fluster/fluster.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
@@ -71,8 +71,6 @@ class _GeoMapState extends State<GeoMap> {
 
   List<AvesEntry> get entries => widget.entries;
 
-  static final _platformMobileServices = PlatformMobileServices();
-
   // cap initial zoom to avoid a zoom change
   // when toggling overlay on Google map initial state
   static const double minInitialZoom = 3;
@@ -172,7 +170,7 @@ class _GeoMapState extends State<GeoMap> {
           case EntryMapStyle.googleTerrain:
           case EntryMapStyle.hmsNormal:
           case EntryMapStyle.hmsTerrain:
-            child = _platformMobileServices.buildMap<AvesEntry>(
+            child = mobileServices.buildMap<AvesEntry>(
               controller: widget.controller,
               clusterListenable: _clusterChangeNotifier,
               boundsNotifier: _boundsNotifier,
diff --git a/plugins/aves_services/lib/aves_services.dart b/plugins/aves_services/lib/aves_services.dart
index 197267d2e..200c6ead2 100644
--- a/plugins/aves_services/lib/aves_services.dart
+++ b/plugins/aves_services/lib/aves_services.dart
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
 import 'package:latlong2/latlong.dart';
 
 abstract class MobileServices {
-  Future<bool> isServiceAvailable();
+  Future<void> init();
+
+  bool get isServiceAvailable;
 
   EntryMapStyle get defaultMapStyle;
 
diff --git a/plugins/aves_services_google/lib/aves_services_platform.dart b/plugins/aves_services_google/lib/aves_services_platform.dart
index bfe6d1bf8..4bc46e554 100644
--- a/plugins/aves_services_google/lib/aves_services_platform.dart
+++ b/plugins/aves_services_google/lib/aves_services_platform.dart
@@ -3,28 +3,43 @@ library aves_services_platform;
 import 'package:aves_map/aves_map.dart';
 import 'package:aves_services/aves_services.dart';
 import 'package:aves_services_platform/src/map.dart';
-import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
+import 'package:device_info_plus/device_info_plus.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
 import 'package:google_api_availability/google_api_availability.dart';
 import 'package:latlong2/latlong.dart';
 
 class PlatformMobileServices extends MobileServices {
-  bool? _isAvailable;
+  bool _isAvailable = false;
+  bool _canRenderMaps = false;
 
   @override
-  Future<bool> isServiceAvailable() async {
-    if (_isAvailable != null) return SynchronousFuture(_isAvailable!);
+  Future<void> init() async {
     final result = await GoogleApiAvailability.instance.checkGooglePlayServicesAvailability();
     _isAvailable = result == GooglePlayServicesAvailability.success;
     debugPrint('Device has Google Play Services=$_isAvailable');
-    return _isAvailable!;
+
+    // as of google_maps_flutter v2.1.1, minSDK is 20 because of default PlatformView usage,
+    // but using hybrid composition would make it usable on API 19 too,
+    // cf https://github.com/flutter/flutter/issues/23728
+    // as of google_maps_flutter v2.1.5, Flutter v3.0.1 makes the map hide overlay widgets on API <=22
+    final androidInfo = await DeviceInfoPlugin().androidInfo;
+    _canRenderMaps = (androidInfo.version.sdkInt ?? 0) >= 23;
   }
 
+  @override
+  bool get isServiceAvailable => _isAvailable;
+
   @override
   EntryMapStyle get defaultMapStyle => EntryMapStyle.googleNormal;
 
   @override
-  List<EntryMapStyle> get mapStyles => [EntryMapStyle.googleNormal, EntryMapStyle.googleHybrid, EntryMapStyle.googleTerrain];
+  List<EntryMapStyle> get mapStyles => (isServiceAvailable && _canRenderMaps)
+      ? [
+          EntryMapStyle.googleNormal,
+          EntryMapStyle.googleHybrid,
+          EntryMapStyle.googleTerrain,
+        ]
+      : [];
 
   @override
   Widget buildMap<T>({
diff --git a/plugins/aves_services_google/pubspec.yaml b/plugins/aves_services_google/pubspec.yaml
index c402b3751..b2b3f16f1 100644
--- a/plugins/aves_services_google/pubspec.yaml
+++ b/plugins/aves_services_google/pubspec.yaml
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ dependencies:
     path: ../aves_map
   aves_services:
     path: ../aves_services
+  device_info_plus:
   google_api_availability:
   google_maps_flutter:
   latlong2:
diff --git a/plugins/aves_services_huawei/lib/aves_services_platform.dart b/plugins/aves_services_huawei/lib/aves_services_platform.dart
index be5ab6a14..6132349fd 100644
--- a/plugins/aves_services_huawei/lib/aves_services_platform.dart
+++ b/plugins/aves_services_huawei/lib/aves_services_platform.dart
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ library aves_services_platform;
 import 'package:aves_map/aves_map.dart';
 import 'package:aves_services/aves_services.dart';
 import 'package:aves_services_platform/src/map.dart';
-import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
 import 'package:huawei_hmsavailability/huawei_hmsavailability.dart';
 import 'package:latlong2/latlong.dart';
@@ -12,22 +11,28 @@ class PlatformMobileServices extends MobileServices {
   // cf https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/en/doc/development/hmscore-common-References/huaweiapiavailability-0000001050121134#section9492524178
   static const int _hmsCoreAvailable = 0;
 
-  bool? _isAvailable;
+  bool _isAvailable = false;
 
   @override
-  Future<bool> isServiceAvailable() async {
-    if (_isAvailable != null) return SynchronousFuture(_isAvailable!);
+  Future<void> init() async {
     final result = await HmsApiAvailability().isHMSAvailable();
     _isAvailable = result == _hmsCoreAvailable;
     debugPrint('Device has Huawei Mobile Services=$_isAvailable');
-    return _isAvailable!;
   }
 
+  @override
+  bool get isServiceAvailable => _isAvailable;
+
   @override
   EntryMapStyle get defaultMapStyle => EntryMapStyle.hmsNormal;
 
   @override
-  List<EntryMapStyle> get mapStyles => [EntryMapStyle.hmsNormal, EntryMapStyle.hmsTerrain];
+  List<EntryMapStyle> get mapStyles => isServiceAvailable
+      ? [
+          EntryMapStyle.hmsNormal,
+          EntryMapStyle.hmsTerrain,
+        ]
+      : [];
 
   @override
   Widget buildMap<T>({