Apple Business Connect is a free tool that lets business owners manage how their company appears across Apple's services
Apple Business Connect is a dashboard where you claim and update your business information on Apple Maps, Siri, and Spotlight search. When someone searches for your business on an Apple device, the information they see — your hours, phone number, address, photos, and website — comes from Business Connect if you have claimed your listing. Without it, Apple pulls information from other sources and you have no control over what appears.
The service is free and works across all Apple platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and CarPlay. You do not need an Apple device to set it up, though you do need an Apple ID. Once you claim your business, you can update details instantly, respond to customer reviews, and see how often people view your listing.
Key Takeaways
- Business Connect lets you claim your business listing and control what information appears when people search for you on Apple devices.
- You can update hours, phone number, address, photos, and website links without waiting for Apple to review changes.
- The service shows you how many people viewed your listing, called you, or got directions to your location each week.
- You need an Apple ID to set up Business Connect, but the service itself is free and does not require an Apple device.
- If you do not claim your listing, Apple will display information from other sources and you cannot correct it.
How to claim and set up your business listing
Go to business.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Search for your business by name or address. If your business already appears on Apple Maps, you will see it in the results. Click "Claim this business" and follow the verification steps.
Apple verifies your ownership in one of three ways: by sending a postcard to your business address with a verification code (takes 7 to 10 days), by phone call to a number associated with your business, or instantly if you have a verified domain email address matching your business website. The postcard method is slowest but works for any business. The phone method is faster if your number is already listed somewhere Apple can find it. The domain method is instant if your business website uses an email address at your own domain — for example, owner@yourcompany.com rather than a Gmail account.
Once verified, you can immediately add or edit your business hours, phone number, website, photos, and a business description. Changes appear on Apple Maps and Siri within minutes. You do not need Apple to review them first.
What information you can control
Business Connect lets you manage the core details that appear in search results and on your Maps listing. You can set your business hours for each day of the week, including special hours for holidays. You can add multiple phone numbers — a main line, a customer service line, or a support number — and customers can call any of them directly from the listing.
You can upload up to 10 photos of your business, products, or team. These appear in the gallery when someone views your listing. You can also add a website link, a link to your online store, and links to your social media profiles. If your business has multiple locations, you can claim each one separately and manage them all from one dashboard.
You cannot change your business name or address through Business Connect — those require verification again. If your business moved or changed its legal name, you will need to claim the new listing and verify it separately.
How to see who is looking at your listing
Business Connect shows you weekly statistics about how people interact with your listing. You can see how many people viewed it, how many called your phone number directly from the listing, how many asked for directions, and how many visited your website link. These numbers update every week and you can compare them across weeks to see trends.
The data does not tell you who these people are — no names or contact information — but it shows you whether your listing is getting attention and which actions people take most often. If you see many people calling but few visiting your website, that tells you something about how customers prefer to reach you.
Responding to reviews and customer feedback
When customers leave reviews on your Apple Maps listing, you can respond to them directly through Business Connect. You do not need to respond to every review, but responding to negative ones shows you take feedback seriously. Your response appears publicly next to the review.
You can also see a summary of your overall rating and read individual reviews without leaving the dashboard. Apple does not let you delete reviews you disagree with, but you can flag a review as inappropriate if it violates Apple's guidelines — for example, if it contains spam or personal attacks unrelated to your business.
Differences between Business Connect and Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile is a similar service for Google Maps and Google Search. Both let you claim your listing and control what appears, but they reach different audiences. Google Business Profile reaches people searching on Google and Google Maps. Business Connect reaches people searching on Apple Maps, Siri, and Spotlight.
If your customers use both Google and Apple devices, you should claim both listings. They are separate services and updating one does not update the other. Google Business Profile offers more features — like booking appointments, posting updates, and messaging customers — while Business Connect focuses on core information and reviews. Both are free.
Business Connect also integrates with Apple Maps in ways Google Business Profile does not. For example, if someone asks Siri "Where is the nearest coffee shop?", Siri pulls from Business Connect listings. Google Business Profile does not have an equivalent on Apple devices.
When Business Connect is most useful
Business Connect matters most if your customers use iPhones, iPads, or Macs to find you. If your business is local — a restaurant, salon, repair shop, or retail store — people often search by location on Apple Maps or ask Siri for nearby options. Claiming your listing ensures they see your correct hours and phone number instead of outdated information.
It is also useful if you update your hours frequently — for example, if you have seasonal hours, holiday closures, or special event hours. You can change them instantly without waiting for anyone to review the change. If your hours are always the same, the benefit is smaller but still worth the 10 minutes it takes to set up.
Businesses with multiple locations benefit more than single-location businesses because you can manage all of them from one place. Franchises, chains, and companies with offices in different cities can update each location's information separately and see statistics for each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple device to use Business Connect?
No. You need an Apple ID to sign in, but you can create one on any device or at appleid.apple.com. Once you have an Apple ID, you can manage your Business Connect listing from any computer or phone with a web browser.
What happens if I do not claim my business listing?
Apple will still show your business on Maps and Siri, but the information comes from other sources like Google, Yelp, or your website. You cannot correct it or add photos. If the information is wrong, you have no way to fix it without claiming the listing.
Can I claim a business I do not own?
No. Apple requires verification that you own or manage the business. You must verify through postcard, phone call, or domain email. If you try to claim a business you do not own, the verification will fail.
How long does verification take?
Instant verification takes a few minutes if you use a domain email address. Phone verification usually takes a few hours. Postcard verification takes 7 to 10 business days from the time Apple mails it. You can start using Business Connect as soon as verification completes.
Can I change my business name or address in Business Connect?
No. Name and address changes require a new verification. If your business moved or changed its legal name, you need to claim the new listing separately and go through verification again. You can then remove the old listing.