How to Make Apple Maps the Default on iPhone (iOS 18.4+)
Short answer
In most countries there's nothing to change: there's no setting, and Apple Maps is always the iPhone's maps app. In the EU (iOS 18.4 or later) and Japan (iOS 26.2 or later), choose it in Settings › Apps › Default Apps › Navigation. Neither makes google.com/maps links open in Apple Maps — convert those below.
Set it in the EU or Japan
On iOS 18.4 or later in the EU, or iOS 26.2 or later in Japan, open this path and choose Apple Maps.
- Settings
- Apps
- Default Apps
- Navigation
-
Choose Apple Maps
Tap Navigation and pick Apple Maps. No Navigation row? Then your iPhone has no such choice, and Apple Maps is already its maps app.
-
Convert Google Maps links
The setting doesn't touch google.com/maps links: they still open Safari or the Google Maps app. Paste them into the box below instead.
What the default changes, and what it doesn't
| You tap | Follows the default? |
|---|---|
| A location link that iOS opens in a maps app | Yes Opens the app you chose |
| A google.com/maps link in Messages, Mail or WhatsApp | No Opens Safari or the Google Maps app |
| A maps.app.goo.gl short link | No Expands to a google.com/maps link |
Open Google links in Apple Maps every time
Convert them with the box above, or install the free GoToAppleMaps app (iOS 26 or later). Then share any Google Maps link to it, from any app, and it opens in Apple Maps.
FAQ
Can I set Apple Maps as default on older iOS?
There's nothing to set. Before iOS 18.4 there's no default maps setting at all, and Apple Maps is the system maps app.
Will this stop Google Maps from opening?
No. google.com/maps links are web links, so they still open Safari or the Google Maps app, whatever your default. Convert them with the box on this page, or share them to the GoToAppleMaps app.
Why don't I see Navigation in Default Apps?
Apple offers it only in some regions: the EU on iOS 18.4 or later (iPhone and iPad) and Japan on iOS 26.2 or later (iPhone). Everywhere else there's nothing to change, because Apple Maps is the system maps app.
Can I set a default maps app on Mac?
No. macOS has no default maps setting. To open a Google Maps link in Maps on a Mac, convert it first.