Google Maps is the most widely used map app in the U.S., but iPhone users have to use Apple Maps by default. If you’d rather use Google Maps as the default map app on your iPhone, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices.

What to Know

  • It’s not possible to select a default map app from your iPhone Settings.Set your default web browser to Chrome from Settings by tapping Chrome > Default Browser App > Chrome.

How Do I Change My Default Map App on iPhone?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to select a default map app on the iPhone. Although you can change other default apps on the iPhone, such as your preferred web browser, Apple does not currently offer this feature for any iOS map apps, including Google Maps.

How Do I Make Google Maps My Default on iOS 14?

Unless you’re willing to jailbreak your iPhone, which isn’t recommended and against the terms of service for the iPhone, the only way to simulate making Google Maps your default map app on iOS 14 is by using other Google apps as your default apps (if you don’t already use them).

Google’s apps are designed to work with each other, so they offer a lot of flexibility with using Google Maps as your preferred map app. The two most relevant apps to use would be Chrome as your default web browser and Gmail as your default email program.

How to Set Chrome As Your Default Web Browser to Use Google Maps

When you tap on a location’s address in Chrome, you’ll be able to view it in Google Maps.

  • Open Settings.
  • Scroll down through your list of apps and tap Chrome.
  • Tip
  • Download Chrome for iOS if you don’t have it yet.
  • Tap Default Browser App.
  • Tap Chrome.
  • Now whenever you tap on an address in Chrome to see its location, you’ll be asked whether you want to view it in Apple Maps or Google Maps.

How to Set Gmail As Your Default Email App to Use Google Maps

You need to be using Gmail as your default email app if you want to be able to open location addresses you receive by email in Google Maps.

Open Settings.

Scroll down through your list of apps and tap Chrome.

Tip

Download Chrome for iOS if you don’t have it yet.

Tap Default Browser App.

Tap Chrome.

Now whenever you tap on an address in Chrome to see its location, you’ll be asked whether you want to view it in Apple Maps or Google Maps.

  • Open Settings.
  • Scroll down through your list of apps and tap Gmail.
  • Tip
  • Download Gmail for iOS if you don’t have it yet.
  • Tap Default Mail App.
  • Tap Gmail.
  • Exit Settings and open Gmail.
  • Tap the menu icon in the top left of the search bar.
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the menu and tap Settings.
  • Tap Default apps.
  • Under Navigate from your location, tap Google Maps, then under Navigate between locations, tap Google Maps again.
  • Now whenever you tap on an address from a message within Gmail, you’ll be asked whether you want to view it in Apple Maps or Google Maps.

Scroll down through your list of apps and tap Gmail.

Download Gmail for iOS if you don’t have it yet.

Tap Default Mail App.

Tap Gmail.

Exit Settings and open Gmail.

Tap the menu icon in the top left of the search bar.

Scroll down to the bottom of the menu and tap Settings.

Tap Default apps.

Under Navigate from your location, tap Google Maps, then under Navigate between locations, tap Google Maps again.

Now whenever you tap on an address from a message within Gmail, you’ll be asked whether you want to view it in Apple Maps or Google Maps.

  • How do I make Google Maps Timeline work on an iPhone by default?
  • To save location history on your iPhone with Google Maps Timeline, tap your profile icon > Settings > Personal content > Location settings > Location Services is on. Next, enable location history from your Google account Activity Controls. Then view your history in the Google Maps app on your iPhone from your profile picture > Your Timeline.
  • How do I make Google Maps the default on an iPhone running iOS 10?
  • Unfortunately, you can only change the default mail and browser apps on iOS 14 and higher. You can make Gmail the default mail app on your iPhone from the Gmail app settings or choose from numerous other options like Hey or Spark. You can also opt for DuckDuckGo, Firefox, Chrome, or Microsoft Edge instead of Safari as your browser.

To save location history on your iPhone with Google Maps Timeline, tap your profile icon > Settings > Personal content > Location settings > Location Services is on. Next, enable location history from your Google account Activity Controls. Then view your history in the Google Maps app on your iPhone from your profile picture > Your Timeline.

Unfortunately, you can only change the default mail and browser apps on iOS 14 and higher. You can make Gmail the default mail app on your iPhone from the Gmail app settings or choose from numerous other options like Hey or Spark. You can also opt for DuckDuckGo, Firefox, Chrome, or Microsoft Edge instead of Safari as your browser.

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