Apple Maps comes pre-installed on most Apple devices, so you likely already have it

If you own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, Apple Maps is already on your device. It shipped with your operating system and cannot be removed. You do not need to download it from the App Store — it is built in.

The only reason to look for Apple Maps in the App Store is if you somehow deleted it and want to restore it. Even then, the process is straightforward: search for "Apple Maps" in the App Store, tap or click "Get," and authenticate with your Apple ID. Within seconds, it reinstalls.

If you are looking to use Apple Maps on a device that does not have it, or if you want to understand what the app does before opening it, the sections below cover both situations.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Maps is pre-installed on all iPhones, iPads, and Macs running current operating systems and cannot be deleted permanently.
  • If you deleted Apple Maps by accident, you can restore it free from the App Store by searching for "Apple Maps" and tapping "Get."
  • Apple Maps works offline in some regions if you download maps ahead of time through the app's settings.
  • On Android phones, Apple Maps is not available — Google Maps or other third-party navigation apps are your options instead.

Where to find Apple Maps if you cannot locate it on your home screen

If Apple Maps is not visible on your home screen, it may be in a folder or on another page. Swipe left through your home screens or use Spotlight Search to find it quickly. On iPhone and iPad, swipe down from the top of the screen and type "Maps" — the Apple Maps icon should appear immediately.

On Mac, click the Spotlight icon in the top-right corner (or press Command + Space), type "Maps," and press Enter. The app opens directly.

If Spotlight does not show Maps at all, the app may have been deleted. Move to the next section to restore it.

How to restore Apple Maps from the App Store if you deleted it

Open the App Store on your device. Tap or click the search tab at the bottom (iPhone and iPad) or in the sidebar (Mac). Type "Apple Maps" in the search field. The official Apple Maps app should appear at the top of the results — it has a blue icon with a white map pin.

Tap or click the cloud icon with a downward arrow labeled "Get." You may be asked to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Complete that step, and the app begins downloading and installing automatically. Once the button changes to "Open," the installation is complete.

The entire process takes less than a minute on most connections. You do not need to pay anything — Apple Maps is always free.

Downloading maps for offline use within the Apple Maps app

Apple Maps lets you download specific regions so you can use them without an internet connection. This is different from downloading the app itself — you are storing map data on your device for later use.

Open Apple Maps and search for the city or region you want to download. Tap or click the information panel at the bottom. Scroll down and look for a button labeled "Download" or "Download Map." Tap it, and the app begins saving that region's map data to your device. The download size varies by region — a city might be 100 to 500 MB, while a larger region could be several gigabytes.

Once downloaded, you can view and navigate that map even if you have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Downloaded maps stay on your device until you manually delete them through the app's settings.

Why Apple Maps is not available on Android devices

Apple Maps is exclusive to Apple devices. If you use an Android phone, you cannot download Apple Maps from Google Play Store or anywhere else. Apple has not released the app for Android.

Android users have other navigation options: Google Maps is the most widely used, but you can also choose Apple Maps' competitors like Waze, HERE WeGo, or Sygic. Each has different features — Google Maps excels at real-time traffic and restaurant reviews, while Waze focuses on crowdsourced traffic alerts.

If you switch from iPhone to Android in the future, you will need to learn a different navigation app, but the core features — turn-by-turn directions, offline maps, and location search — are available across all major platforms.

What to do if Apple Maps will not open or keeps crashing

If the app opens but immediately closes, or if it freezes when you try to search for a location, try these steps in order. First, force-close the app: on iPhone and iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top-right on newer models) and swipe Apple Maps off the screen. On Mac, click the red close button in the top-left corner of the window.

Wait a few seconds, then open Apple Maps again. If it still crashes, restart your device entirely. Power off your iPhone, iPad, or Mac completely, wait 10 seconds, and power it back on. This clears temporary memory and often fixes app crashes.

If the app still does not work after a restart, try deleting and reinstalling it. Go to the App Store, search for Apple Maps, and tap "Get" to reinstall. This replaces the app files without affecting your downloaded maps or settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download Apple Maps on my Windows computer?

No. Apple Maps is only available on Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, and Mac. Windows computers cannot run Apple Maps. Windows users can access Apple Maps through a web browser at maps.apple.com, but the web version has fewer features than the native app.

Does downloading Apple Maps cost money?

No. Apple Maps is free to download and use. There are no subscription fees, hidden charges, or in-app purchases required. You only pay for data if you use cellular data instead of Wi-Fi to download maps or get directions.

How much storage space does Apple Maps take up?

The app itself is small — usually under 100 MB. Offline map downloads are much larger and vary by region. A single city might use 200 to 500 MB, while downloading an entire state or country can use several gigabytes. You control what you download, so you decide how much storage it uses.

What is the difference between downloading the app and downloading a map?

Downloading the app means installing Apple Maps from the App Store so you can open and use it. Downloading a map means saving specific geographic regions to your device so you can view them without internet. You need the app first; the map downloads are optional and happen inside the app.

Can I use Apple Maps without downloading anything?

Yes. Apple Maps works with an active internet connection without any downloads. You only need to download maps if you want to use the app in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi service.