diff --git a/ApiDemos/project/java-app/build.gradle.kts b/ApiDemos/project/java-app/build.gradle.kts
index 9187a69e4..53bc12391 100644
--- a/ApiDemos/project/java-app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/ApiDemos/project/java-app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/ApiDemos/project/kotlin-app/build.gradle.kts b/ApiDemos/project/kotlin-app/build.gradle.kts
index 9412f76d8..76cd6784e 100644
--- a/ApiDemos/project/kotlin-app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/ApiDemos/project/kotlin-app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/FireMarkers/app/build.gradle.kts b/FireMarkers/app/build.gradle.kts
index 77f155daa..eb56c8aff 100644
--- a/FireMarkers/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/FireMarkers/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -195,6 +195,10 @@ dependencies {
 }
 
 secrets {
+    // To add your Maps API key to this project:
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
+    // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
+    //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
     defaultPropertiesFileName = "local.defaults.properties"
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 72d660fca..cb3d0e518 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ To run the samples, you will need:
 
 1. Download the samples by cloning this repository
 1. In the welcome screen of Android Studio, select "Open an Existing project"
-1. Select one of the sample directories from this repository
+1. Select the root directory of this repository (android-samples)
 
 ## Verifying the build
 
diff --git a/WearOS/Wearable/build.gradle.kts b/WearOS/Wearable/build.gradle.kts
index 229d6bcb8..05f268769 100644
--- a/WearOS/Wearable/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/WearOS/Wearable/build.gradle.kts
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/snippets/app-compose/build.gradle.kts b/snippets/app-compose/build.gradle.kts
index 5573bf9a7..fb7d3134b 100644
--- a/snippets/app-compose/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/snippets/app-compose/build.gradle.kts
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/snippets/app-ktx/build.gradle.kts b/snippets/app-ktx/build.gradle.kts
index 42904cb7c..143020ada 100644
--- a/snippets/app-ktx/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/snippets/app-ktx/build.gradle.kts
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/snippets/app-places-ktx/build.gradle.kts b/snippets/app-places-ktx/build.gradle.kts
index d7c137612..321fce956 100644
--- a/snippets/app-places-ktx/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/snippets/app-places-ktx/build.gradle.kts
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/snippets/app-rx/build.gradle.kts b/snippets/app-rx/build.gradle.kts
index 3b7f7e909..eecc05663 100644
--- a/snippets/app-rx/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/snippets/app-rx/build.gradle.kts
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/snippets/app-utils-ktx/build.gradle.kts b/snippets/app-utils-ktx/build.gradle.kts
index 489511342..dc93bcaf8 100644
--- a/snippets/app-utils-ktx/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/snippets/app-utils-ktx/build.gradle.kts
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/snippets/app-utils/build.gradle.kts b/snippets/app-utils/build.gradle.kts
index 482b68e7d..967da3892 100644
--- a/snippets/app-utils/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/snippets/app-utils/build.gradle.kts
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/snippets/app/build.gradle.kts b/snippets/app/build.gradle.kts
index dce825fdb..940375905 100644
--- a/snippets/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/snippets/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ dependencies {
 // [START maps_android_secrets_gradle_plugin_config]
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle.kts b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle.kts
index eaa40a144..54cf7d914 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/tutorials/java/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle.kts b/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle.kts
index cceb4b9e4..196424575 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/tutorials/java/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/tutorials/java/Polygons/app/build.gradle.kts b/tutorials/java/Polygons/app/build.gradle.kts
index 38b925027..a8ec2ad89 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/Polygons/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/tutorials/java/Polygons/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/build.gradle.kts b/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/build.gradle.kts
index 37e621e2f..98ef3b229 100644
--- a/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/tutorials/java/StyledMap/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle.kts b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle.kts
index f2ba62983..a3bbb1b3f 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/CurrentPlaceDetailsOnMap/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle.kts b/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle.kts
index f687e9560..67462ed13 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/MapWithMarker/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"
diff --git a/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app/build.gradle.kts b/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app/build.gradle.kts
index 77bd1db76..0078e4151 100644
--- a/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/tutorials/kotlin/Polygons/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ dependencies {
 
 secrets {
     // To add your Maps API key to this project:
-    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the same folder as the local.properties file.
+    // 1. If the secrets.properties file does not exist, create it in the root directory (the same folder as the root local.properties file).
     // 2. Add this line, where YOUR_API_KEY is your API key:
     //        MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
     propertiesFileName = "secrets.properties"