Fix: Google Maps Link Opens in Browser Instead of Apple Maps

  • iPhone · iPad · Mac
  • Free, no sign-up
  • Updated September 2026

Short answer

A google.com/maps link is a web link, so your iPhone opens it in Safari or the Google Maps app — and no setting can send it to Apple Maps. Convert it instead: paste it in the box below, or share it to the GoToAppleMaps app (iOS 26 or later).

Open it in Apple Maps

  1. iPhone share sheet for a Google Maps place, with the Copy Link button highlighted

    Copy the link

    Press and hold it in Messages or Mail and copy it. Already open in Safari or Google Maps? Tap Share and copy it there.

  2. Quick Convert with a pasted maps.app.goo.gl link and the Convert button highlighted

    Paste it and tap Convert

    Use the box below. Place, short and directions links all work.

  3. Result card with an Open in Apple Maps button and a Copy link button

    Tap “Open in Apple Maps”

    The place opens in the Maps app on iPhone, iPad or Mac. “Copy link” gives you an Apple Maps link to send on.

  4. iPhone share sheet for a Google Maps place with the GoToAppleMaps app icon highlighted

    Next time: share it to the app

    With the free GoToAppleMaps app (iOS 26 or later), share a Google Maps link from any app and it opens in Apple Maps.

Convert a link now

Paste any Google Maps link — place, pin, short link or directions.

Whole list? Use the file converter.

Why it opens in the browser

google.com/maps is Google's web address, so iOS hands the link to Safari or the Google Maps app. Apple Maps opens maps.apple.com links — which is what converting makes.

A google.com/maps link in a Messages bubble opens Safari or Google Maps, not Apple Maps

The default navigation setting won't change this. In the EU (iOS 18.4 or later) and Japan (iOS 26.2 or later), you can pick a navigation app under Settings › Apps › Default Apps › Navigation — but google.com/maps links still open in Safari or Google Maps. Elsewhere there is no such setting.

FAQ

Can I make ALL map links open in Apple Maps?

Apple Maps links (maps.apple.com) already open in Apple Maps. Google Maps links (google.com/maps) don't, and iOS can't redirect them — convert them first.

Does setting Apple Maps as the default navigation app fix it?

No. That setting exists only in the EU (iOS 18.4 or later) and Japan (iOS 26.2 or later), under Settings › Apps › Default Apps › Navigation, and it doesn't change where google.com/maps links open. Elsewhere there is no such setting.

Will Apple ever fix this?

We can't say. Today a google.com/maps link is a link to Google's website, and no iOS setting, in any country, sends it to Apple Maps. Converting the link is the fix that works now.

Does this work on a Mac?

Yes. On a Mac, a Google Maps link opens in your browser. Paste it into the converter above, and Open in Apple Maps opens the Maps app.

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