To make Google Maps the default on iPhone, you must be in a supported country or region where Apple allows changing the default navigation app. If you are, open Settings, tap Apps, tap Default Apps, tap Navigation, and select Google Maps from the list.
Can you make Google Maps the default on iPhone?
Apple only permits changing the default navigation app away from Apple Maps in some countries and regions. Outside those areas, the Navigation setting does not appear, and iPhone users cannot set Google Maps as the system default for location links. This is a documented limitation, not a missing feature or bug.
Why switch to Google Maps for navigation
Google Maps offers real-time traffic updates, Street View, detailed transit data, and consistent cross-platform performance across iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. These practical advantages make it a preferred choice for many users who want more accurate routing and richer location information than Apple Maps provides in certain areas.
Install Google Maps from the App Store
Google Maps must be installed on your iPhone before the default option appears. Open the App Store, search for Google Maps, and download the app if you have not already done so. The app must be present for Apple's Navigation setting to list it as an available choice.
Set Google Maps as your default navigation app
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Default Apps.
- Tap Navigation.
- Select Google Maps from the list of available navigation apps.
This path is documented by Apple and works only in supported countries and regions. The Navigation setting controls which app opens when you tap a location link or address, such as those in Safari, Mail, or Messages. Note that some older instructions direct users to scroll down and select "Google Maps" within the Settings app, a menu path that does not match Apple's documented path (Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Navigation).
What to do if the option is missing
If you do not see a Navigation option under Settings > Apps > Default Apps, your iPhone is in a region where Apple does not allow changing the default map app. There is no workaround or hidden setting to enable it; the feature is simply unavailable. You can still use Google Maps manually by opening the app and entering destinations, but system links will continue to open Apple Maps.
Verify the change worked
Tap a location link or address in any app that supports it, such as a website in Safari or a contact address in Contacts. If Google Maps opens instead of Apple Maps, the change is active. If Apple Maps still opens, revisit the Navigation setting to confirm Google Maps is selected, or check whether your region supports the feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the default navigation app on my iPhone?
Yes, you can change the default navigation app on your iPhone if you are in a supported country or region. Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Navigation and select your preferred app. If the Navigation option is missing, the feature is not available in your region.
How do I switch back to Apple Maps as the default navigation app on iPhone?
To switch back, open Settings, tap Apps, tap Default Apps, tap Navigation, and select Apple Maps from the list. This reverses the change and restores Apple Maps as the app that opens for all location links.
Can I use other navigation apps as the default on my iPhone?
Yes, any compatible navigation app you have installed, such as Waze, will appear in the Navigation setting alongside Google Maps and Apple Maps. You can select whichever app you prefer as the default, provided the feature is available in your region.
Will this change affect Siri requests for directions?
In supported regions, setting Google Maps as the default navigation app also causes Siri to open Google Maps when you ask for directions to a location. Outside supported regions, Siri will continue to use Apple Maps regardless of which navigation app you prefer.
Does Google Maps have its own setting to become the default?
No. Google Maps does not include a setting that makes it the system-wide default maps app on iPhone. The only way to set it as the default is through Apple's Navigation setting in the Default Apps menu, and only in supported countries and regions.
Can I use Google Maps for navigation without making it the default?
Yes. You can open Google Maps manually, search for a destination, and start navigation at any time. The default setting only affects automatic opening of location links from other apps; it does not prevent you from using Google Maps directly.
Will future iOS updates add this feature to more regions?
Apple has not announced plans to expand the Navigation default-app setting to additional countries or regions. The current limitation is documented and may change in future iOS versions, but no timeline or list of upcoming regions has been provided.
For the wider topic, see maps and navigation app settings.
