Setting Google Maps as your default maps app on iPhone

iPhone defaults to Apple Maps when you tap a location link or ask Siri for directions. To change this, you need to set Google Maps as your default in Settings — a change that applies across most apps on your phone, though some built-in Apple apps will still use Apple Maps regardless of your choice.

The process takes about two minutes and requires iOS 14.5 or later. You'll need the Google Maps app installed from the App Store first. Once you've made the change, tapping an address in Safari, Mail, Messages, or third-party apps will open Google Maps instead of Apple Maps. The change takes effect when ready and you can reverse it at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • You must install the Google Maps app from the App Store before you can set it as default.
  • The default setting lives in iPhone Settings under Apps, not inside Google Maps itself.
  • Apple's built-in apps like Calendar, Reminders, and Siri will still open Apple Maps even after you change the default.
  • Changing your default maps app does not affect Siri — asking Siri for directions will still use Apple Maps unless you specifically say "in Google Maps".
  • You can switch back to Apple Maps at any time by returning to the same Settings menu and selecting Apple Maps.

Install Google Maps from the App Store

Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for "Google Maps". The official app shows a colorful map pin icon and is published by Google LLC. Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to install it, then wait for the installation to finish. You'll see the icon change to "Open" once it's ready to use.

If you already have Google Maps installed on your phone, you can skip this step. You can check by looking for the app on your home screen or by opening your App Library and searching for it. The app takes up about 200 MB of storage space, so make sure you have room before installing.

Open Settings and navigate to the Maps section

Tap Settings on your home screen, then scroll down and tap Apps. The order of apps in this list doesn't matter — you're looking for the section that controls which app handles which task on your phone.

Scroll down in the Apps menu until you see "Maps". Tap it. This is where iPhone stores the default app setting for maps and directions. You should see a section labeled "Default Maps App" with Apple Maps currently selected.

Select Google Maps as your default

Under the Maps heading, you'll see "Default Maps App" with Apple Maps currently selected. Tap that option and a list of installed maps apps will appear. Select Google Maps from the list.

The change takes effect when ready. You don't need to restart your phone or close any apps. Your phone will now use Google Maps whenever a link or app tries to open a map, with the exceptions noted below.

Test the change with a location link

Open Safari and search for any business or address — a coffee shop, restaurant, or store near you works well. When the search result appears, tap the address or the map preview. Google Maps should now open instead of Apple Maps.

If Apple Maps still opens, go back to Settings > Apps > Maps and confirm Google Maps is selected. Sometimes the change takes a moment to sync across your phone's system. Close Safari completely and try again if needed.

What still uses Apple Maps even after you change the default

Calendar events with locations, Reminders with location-based alerts, and some Siri requests will still open Apple Maps. This is a limitation of how iOS handles these built-in apps — they're designed to use Apple's own services and don't respect the default maps setting you've chosen.

If you ask Siri "Show me directions to [place]", Siri will use Apple Maps. To force Siri to use Google Maps instead, say "Show me directions to [place] in Google Maps" — Siri will then open Google Maps with the location already entered. This workaround works every time and is the fastest way to get directions in Google Maps through voice.

Switching back to Apple Maps

If you decide you want Apple Maps as your default again, return to Settings > Apps > Maps and select Apple Maps from the list. The change is reversible at any time with no side effects to your phone or data.

Removing Google Maps from your phone doesn't automatically change your default back to Apple Maps — you'll need to manually select Apple Maps in Settings if you uninstall Google Maps. If you uninstall Google Maps without changing the default first, your phone will revert to Apple Maps automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Apple Maps still open sometimes even though I set Google Maps as default?

Built-in iPhone apps like Calendar, Reminders, and Siri bypass the default maps setting and always use Apple Maps. Third-party apps and web links should open Google Maps. If a third-party app still opens Apple Maps, check that app's own settings — some apps have their own maps preference that overrides your system default.

Do I need to be signed into a Google account to use Google Maps as default?

No. Google Maps works without a Google account, though signing in lets you save places and access your saved locations across devices. You can set it as default and use it without logging in.

Will changing my default maps app affect navigation in my car?

If your car uses CarPlay and you open Maps through CarPlay, it will use your default maps app. Some car systems have their own navigation built in and don't use your phone's default. Check your car's manual or settings to see which navigation system it uses.

Can I set different default maps apps for different situations?

No. iPhone allows only one default maps app system-wide. You can manually open Google Maps or Apple Maps whenever you want, but the system default applies everywhere it's used.

What if Google Maps won't open when I tap a location?

Force close Google Maps by swiping up from the bottom of your screen and closing the app, then try again. If it still doesn't work, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on. Check that Google Maps is still set as default in Settings > Apps > Maps.