Set Google Maps as your default mapping app in iPhone settings

To make Google Maps open automatically when you tap a map link or address on your iPhone, you need to change your default maps app in the Settings app. Apple lets you pick which mapping service handles these requests — Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze — but the setting is buried in a section most people never visit.

The process takes about two minutes and works on any iPhone running iOS 14 or later. Once you set it, every address link, map request, and navigation prompt will open in Google Maps instead of Apple Maps.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have the Google Maps app installed on your iPhone before you can set it as default — download it free from the App Store if you don't have it yet.
  • The default maps setting lives in Settings > Apps > Maps, not in the Google Maps app itself.
  • Changing your default maps app only affects links and addresses you tap in other apps — it does not change what appears in Siri directions.
  • You can switch back to Apple Maps or change to Waze at any time using the same settings menu.

Download Google Maps from the App Store first

If you do not already have Google Maps installed, open the App Store, search for "Google Maps," and tap the cloud icon with a download arrow to install it. Wait for the download to finish — you will see the button change to "Open" when it is ready.

You cannot set Google Maps as default if the app is not on your phone. If you already have it installed, skip to the next section.

Open Settings and navigate to the Apps menu

Tap the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap Apps. This section controls default apps for different tasks — email, browser, phone calls, and maps all live here.

If you do not see an Apps option, you may be on an older iOS version. Scroll down further and look for Default Apps instead. The location changed in iOS 17, but both lead to the same place.

Find and tap the Maps option

In the Apps menu, scroll down until you see Maps listed. Tap it. You will see a list of available mapping apps — typically Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze if you have them installed.

The current default app has a checkmark next to it. If Apple Maps is checked, that is why Apple Maps keeps opening instead of Google Maps.

Select Google Maps from the list

Tap Google Maps. The checkmark will move from Apple Maps to Google Maps immediately. You do not need to confirm or save — the change takes effect right away.

You can now close Settings. The next time you tap an address link in Mail, Messages, Safari, or any other app, it will open in Google Maps instead of Apple Maps.

Test that the change worked

Open an app that contains an address — Mail, Messages, or Safari work well. Find any address link or text that looks like an address, and tap it. Google Maps should open and show you that location.

If Apple Maps still opens, close Settings completely and try again. Sometimes the phone needs a moment to register the change. If it still does not work after a second attempt, restart your phone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on.

What this change does and does not affect

Setting Google Maps as default changes what opens when you tap address links in other apps, use the Maps widget, or ask Siri for directions to a specific address. It does not change what appears when you ask Siri a general question like "What is nearby?" — Siri still uses Apple Maps for those requests.

The setting also does not affect Apple's built-in navigation in the Car Play dashboard or the Maps app that comes pre-installed on your phone. Those still exist and still work. You are simply choosing which app gets priority when you tap a map link.

Switch back to Apple Maps or try Waze anytime

If you want to go back to Apple Maps or try Waze instead, follow the same steps: Settings > Apps > Maps, then tap the app you want to use. The change is immediate and you can switch as many times as you want.

Some people use different mapping apps for different situations — Google Maps for detailed navigation, Apple Maps for quick directions, and Waze for real-time traffic. Changing your default is just a three-tap process, so you can experiment and find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Apple Maps still open sometimes even after I set Google Maps as default?

Siri still uses Apple Maps for voice requests and general questions. If you ask "What is nearby?" or "Show me gas stations," Siri will use Apple Maps. You have to ask Siri to navigate to a specific address for Google Maps to open. Also, the Maps app itself will always be Apple Maps — you are only changing what opens when you tap links in other apps.

Do I need to do anything in the Google Maps app itself to make it default?

No. The default app setting is controlled entirely through Settings > Apps > Maps. Opening Google Maps and looking through its options will not help. The change must be made in the iPhone Settings app.

What if Google Maps does not appear in my Apps menu?

You need to install Google Maps from the App Store first. Open the App Store, search for "Google Maps," and tap the download button. Once it finishes installing, go back to Settings > Apps > Maps and you will see it in the list.

Can I set different default apps for different situations?

No. You can only have one default maps app at a time. However, you can always open Google Maps directly from your home screen or search results, even if another app is set as default. The default only controls what opens automatically when you tap a link.

Will changing my default maps app affect my iPhone's location services or privacy?

No. Changing your default maps app does not change how location services work or what data is shared. Both Apple Maps and Google Maps ask for location permission separately, and you can grant or deny permission to each app independently in Settings > Privacy > Location Services.