How to Switch from Google Maps to Apple Maps — Complete Migration Guide
Short answer
Export with Google Takeout, then drop the .zip into the converter below to get an Apple Maps Guide. In most countries Apple Maps is already the maps app; in the EU and Japan, choose it in Settings › Apps › Default Apps › Navigation. Google Maps links still need converting.
The switch in 4 phases
- 1. ExportGoogle Takeout .zip
- 2. Importan Apple Maps Guide
- 3. Links & defaultswhere maps open
- 4. First weeknew habits
1. Export your places
-
Tick “Saved” and “Maps (your places)”
In Google Takeout, click Deselect all, then tick these two. Saved holds your lists; Maps (your places) holds starred places.
-
Create the export
Click Next step → Create export. A Maps-only export usually arrives by email within minutes. Download the
.zipand keep it zipped.
2. Import into Apple Maps
Drop the Takeout zip — or a single CSV, KML, GeoJSON or GPX file. Free for up to 1,500 places.
Only a few places? Convert one link at a time.
Several lists in one zip? We convert the list with the most places. For another list, unzip and upload its .csv from the Saved folder.
3. Make links and defaults work
| Where | Default maps app |
|---|---|
| Most countries | Already Apple Maps — there's no setting to change. |
| EU (iOS 18.4+) and Japan (iOS 26.2+) | Settings › Apps › Default Apps › Navigation → Apple Maps |
| Mac | There's no default-maps setting. |
No setting redirects Google Maps links. They open in your browser or the Google Maps app. Convert them (here's how), or share them to the GoToAppleMaps app (iOS 26 or later) to open them in Apple Maps.
Chrome, other apps and Mac
On iPhone, share the link from Chrome, Messages or any other app to the GoToAppleMaps app; the place opens in Apple Maps. On a Mac or any computer, paste the link into Quick Convert. The result opens the Maps app on iPhone, iPad and Mac, and a web map elsewhere.
More: Google Maps links from any app · convert a link on a Mac · the Navigation setting, step by step.
4. Habits for the first week
- Hide Google Maps. Move it off your Home Screen to the App Library for a week.
- Keep your Guide. When it opens in Apple Maps, tap Add to Guides (Add to Library on iOS 18), then start there instead of searching.
- Download offline maps for home and your next trip: tap your profile picture, then Offline Maps.
- Send Apple Maps links. Friends on Android get a web map in their browser.
Apple Maps vs Google Maps
Green marks the stronger side.
| Area | Apple Maps | Google Maps |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone, Siri, CarPlay | Built in | Separate app |
| Privacy | More private | Tied to your account |
| Street-level photos | Look Around | Street View |
| Reviews and photos | Fewer | Many more |
| Android and Windows | Web map only | Android app |
FAQ
Can I transfer my saved places from Google Maps to Apple Maps?
Yes. Export them with Google Takeout — tick Saved and Maps (your places) — and upload the .zip to GoToAppleMaps. You get an Apple Maps Guide with the zip's biggest list; upload any other list's CSV the same way. Over the last 30 days, 67.5% of places matched automatically, and the rest are listed so you can add them by hand.
How do I set Apple Maps as my default maps app on iPhone?
In most countries you don't need to: Apple Maps is always the system maps app, and there is no setting for it. In the EU (iOS 18.4 or later) and Japan (iOS 26.2 or later), go to Settings › Apps › Default Apps › Navigation and choose Apple Maps. Neither makes google.com/maps links open in Apple Maps; those still need converting.
Does Apple Maps work on Android or Windows?
Only in a web browser. On Android and Windows, a maps.apple.com link opens Apple Maps on the web; there is no Android or Windows app. The Maps app itself runs on Apple devices.
Will I lose any features by switching from Google Maps to Apple Maps?
A few. Google's Street View covers more places than Apple's Look Around, and Google has more reviews and photos. Your own Google reviews and photos stay in Google. In return, Apple Maps is built into iPhone, Mac, CarPlay and Siri.