Apple Maps does not have a Street View feature that works the way Google Maps does
Apple Maps shows you a map and satellite imagery, but it does not let you see street-level photographs of addresses the way Google Street View does. You cannot click on a location and see what the street actually looks like from ground level. If you need that kind of view, you will have to switch to Google Maps or another service that offers it.
Apple has experimented with street-level imagery in limited areas — primarily in California and a few other regions — but these are not widely available and do not cover most addresses. Even where Apple has collected this data, it is not integrated into the main Maps app in the same way Google Street View is. The feature remains incomplete and inconsistent across different regions.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Maps does not have a Street View equivalent that covers most of the United States or other countries.
- Google Maps Street View is the standard tool for seeing street-level photographs of addresses, and it works on both iPhone and Android.
- If you need to see what a location looks like before you visit, switching to Google Maps is the most reliable option.
- Apple Maps is useful for turn-by-turn navigation and finding nearby businesses, but not for previewing streets or buildings.
What Apple Maps shows you instead of Street View
Apple Maps displays a traditional map view with street names, landmarks, and business locations. You can zoom in and out, search for addresses, and get directions. The app also offers satellite imagery — a bird's-eye view of an area taken from above — which shows you the layout of buildings and streets but not what they look like from ground level.
The satellite view is useful if you want to see the shape of a building, the size of a parking lot, or how a neighborhood is arranged. But it cannot show you the actual appearance of a storefront, the condition of a street, or what you will see when you walk or drive up to an address. For that level of detail, you need street-level photography.
How to use Google Maps Street View on your iPhone or Android phone
Open Google Maps and search for an address or location. When the location appears on the map, look for a small image icon or a "Street View" label near the top of the screen. Tap it, and the view will switch to street-level photographs. You can swipe to look around in all directions, and you can drag along the street to move forward or backward.
On an iPhone, you may also see a Pegman icon — a small figure — that you can drag directly onto the map to set up Street View. On Android, the process is similar. Once you are in Street View, you can pinch to zoom in or out, and you can tap arrows on the screen to move along the street. Not every address has Street View coverage, but most urban and suburban areas in the United States do.
Street View coverage varies by location and country
Google Street View covers most streets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries. However, coverage is not complete everywhere. Rural areas, private roads, and some neighborhoods may not have Street View imagery. Additionally, some countries have restrictions on Street View for privacy or security reasons, so coverage may be limited or unavailable.
If you search for an address and Street View is not available, the app will usually tell you. You can still use the satellite view or the regular map to get a sense of the location. Street View imagery is also updated periodically, so the photographs you see may be from several months or even a year or two ago — they do not always show the current state of a street.
Why Apple has not built Street View into Maps
Building and maintaining Street View requires collecting photographs from every street in a region, storing that data, and keeping it updated. Google has spent years and significant resources doing this work. Apple has chosen not to invest in the same way, possibly because the company focuses its mapping efforts on navigation, real-time traffic, and business information instead.
Apple has collected some street-level imagery in California and a few other places, but the company has not made it a priority to expand this feature or integrate it fully into Maps. This means Apple Maps users who need street-level views have to rely on Google Maps or other third-party services. If you use an iPhone and need Street View regularly, you will want to keep Google Maps installed alongside Apple Maps.
Other mapping apps with street-level views
Beyond Google Maps, several other services offer street-level imagery. Bing Maps has a feature called Streetside that works similarly to Street View and covers many areas in the United States and other countries. Mapillary is a crowdsourced mapping platform where users contribute street-level photographs, and coverage varies by region. Yandex Maps offers street-level views in Russia and some neighboring countries.
For most people in North America and Europe, Google Maps Street View remains the most complete and reliable option. If you are traveling to a less common destination or a country where Google Street View is limited, checking Bing Maps or Mapillary may give you additional coverage. On an iPhone, you can switch between these apps by searching for the location in each one.
When to use Apple Maps instead of Google Maps
Even though Apple Maps does not have Street View, it is still useful for many tasks. Apple Maps integrates with Siri, so you can ask your phone for directions by voice. It also shows real-time traffic conditions and can reroute you around delays. If you use an iPhone and have location services turned on, Apple Maps may load faster than Google Maps because it is built into the system.
Apple Maps is also the default navigation app on Apple Watch, CarPlay, and other Apple devices, so it may be more convenient if you use those products. For everyday navigation and finding nearby restaurants or gas stations, Apple Maps works well. You only need to switch to Google Maps when you specifically want to see what a street or building looks like before you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see street-level photos in Apple Maps on my Mac?
No. Apple Maps on Mac also does not have Street View or street-level imagery. You will need to use Google Maps in a web browser or read the Google Maps app if it is available for your device.
Does Apple Maps work better than Google Maps for navigation?
Both apps provide turn-by-turn navigation and real-time traffic. Apple Maps may be slightly faster on an iPhone because it is built into the system. Google Maps has more detailed business information and reviews. For navigation alone, either works well — the choice depends on which features matter to you.
Will Apple ever add Street View to Maps?
Apple has not announced plans to add Street View to Maps. The company has collected some street-level imagery in limited areas, but it has not made this a priority. If you need street-level views regularly, you should plan to use Google Maps for that purpose.
Can I use Google Street View on an iPhone?
Yes. read the Google Maps app from the App Store and use it the same way you would on an Android phone. You can also access Google Street View through a web browser by visiting maps.google.com, though the app is easier to use on a phone.