How to Make Google Maps the Default on iPhone (EU and Japan Only)

  • ⏱ About 2 minutes
  • Free, no sign-up
  • iPhone, Mac or any browser
  • Updated October 2026

Short answer

iOS has a Default Apps › Navigation setting only in the EU (iOS 18.4 and later) and Japan (iOS 26.2 and later): Settings › Apps › Default Apps › Navigation › Google Maps. Everywhere else there is no such setting. There is none on Mac. Google Maps links already open in the Google Maps app when it is installed; an Apple Maps link can be turned into a Google Maps link with the Decoder.

In the EU or Japan: 3 steps

  1. Install Google Maps from the App Store and open it once.
  2. Open Settings › Apps › Default Apps.
  3. Tap Navigation and choose Google Maps.

The option appears only on iPhones Apple treats as being in the EU (iOS 18.4 or later) or in Japan (iOS 26.2 or later) — it checks your Apple Account's country and where the phone is, not just the region in Settings. If Navigation is missing from Default Apps, your region or iOS version does not offer it.

Everywhere else

  • Google Maps links (google.com/maps, maps.app.goo.gl) open in the Google Maps app once it is installed — no setting needed. If they open in Safari, see this fix.
  • Addresses tapped in Apple apps (Mail, Messages, Contacts, Calendar) open in Apple Maps. Copy the address and paste it into Google Maps, or use Google Maps' own search.
  • Apple Maps links someone sends you can be decoded into Google Maps links below.

Turn an Apple Maps link into a Google Maps link

The Decoder reads any maps.apple.com link — a place, a pin or a shared Guide — and gives you the places inside it, each with a Google Maps link.

Open the Decoder →

Going the other way? Convert a Google Maps link to Apple Maps.

FAQ

Can I set Google Maps as the default maps app on iPhone?

Only in the EU on iOS 18.4 and later, and in Japan on iOS 26.2 and later, under Settings › Apps › Default Apps › Navigation. Elsewhere iOS has no default navigation setting.

Why don't I see Navigation under Default Apps?

The option exists only for iPhones Apple treats as being in the EU (iOS 18.4+) or Japan (iOS 26.2+), judged by the Apple Account country and the phone's location. Outside those regions, or on older iOS versions, it is not shown.

Do Google Maps links open in Google Maps without the setting?

Yes. Once the Google Maps app is installed, Google Maps links open in it on any iPhone. The default setting matters for addresses and navigation requests that come from Apple's own apps.

Is there a default maps setting on Mac?

No. macOS has no default navigation app setting.

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