Apple Maps vs Google Maps: How their offline downloadable maps examine

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Apple Maps running on an iPhone 13 Pro
Enlarge / With offline maps, Apple has achieved parity with Google Maps on this one function after eight years.

Samuel Axon

Apple Maps has seen a major comeback story because it first debuted to near-universal panning in 2012, however anybody who has additionally used Google Maps may even now identify a bunch of helpful options that Apple Maps simply cannot do but.

When iOS 17 releases this fall, although, a type of gaps will get coated. Apple will introduce downloadable maps—an important function for a lot of customers and one which Google has provided for years.

The iOS 17 public beta dropped this week, so customers who aren’t a part of Apple’s developer program can now entry the function for the primary time—although I do not usually advocate putting in beta working programs in your every day drivers, in fact.

It took me just a few years to contemplate switching to Apple Maps, however I lastly did in 2019 after Apple’s incremental enhancements. Nonetheless, there are some options (like offline maps) which have led me to maintain Google Maps put in for infrequent use. I have been utilizing the developer beta of iOS 17 for a few weeks now, so this looks as if a superb time to match how the function works on an iPhone working both Apple Maps or Google Maps.

The way it works

Downloading and utilizing offline maps in Apple Maps is straightforward, and it intently mirrors the method on Google Maps.

To begin, you possibly can merely lookup a metropolis or a spot and a “obtain” button will seem subsequent to the buttons for getting instructions or going into flyover mode. Alternatively, you possibly can faucet in your consumer image to open up the app’s choices, then faucet offline maps, then faucet “obtain new map.” There are just a few different settings right here, like toggling whether or not maps obtain over cell networks or simply Wi-Fi, whether or not to make use of downloaded maps even when you could have an Web connection, and whether or not updates needs to be automated. There’s additionally an “optimize storage” button, however it’s not totally clear as a consumer what it does.

When you determine to obtain a map, you possibly can transfer or resize a field on prime of the map to determine the place to seize it. The map will obtain, and that is all it’s a must to do to get going. While you’re navigating that space with out a mobile knowledge connection, Apple Maps will default to the offline map. You may get instructions, seek for companies, or entry location pages.

The placement pages have key info however lack detailed consumer critiques and images, they usually haven’t got the editorial content material (like “finest X within the metropolis” kind listicles) that you simply discover in Apple Maps in on-line mode.

All advised, Google Maps customers will really feel proper at residence with this function. There are a few variations value mentioning, although.

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