How to Make Google Maps as Default Navigation app on iPhone

Navigation apps have become an essential tool for smartphone users. Now whether you want to check directions for unfamiliar areas, live traffic updates, timings for public transport, local business information, or even more, you can do these things right on your smartphone. There are a wide range of navigation apps available for iPhone users. iPhones come with Apple Maps as the default navigation app, but you can install a third-party alternative on your iPhone.

Google Maps is one of the most popular and accurate navigation apps that can be used on iPhone. But can you make Google Maps as default navigation app on your iPhone? Let’s find it out here.

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Can I make Google Maps as default navigation app on iPhone?

Apple doesn’t officially allow setting up Google Maps as the default navigation app on iPhone, but there’s a workaround by which you can utilize the features of Google Maps. You might have noticed that all navigation or business links open in Apple Maps, but the information on Apple Maps is not as up to date as it is on Google Maps.

Whether you want to check the most recent reviews of a nearby shop or simply want to switch to the Google Maps app, you are at the right place. Here’s how you can set Google Maps as the default navigation app on iPhone.

How to Make Google Maps as Default on iPhone

First things first, make sure you have Google Maps application installed on your iPhone, if installed make sure to update it to the newer available version, tap here to check the updates.

If you want to open all navigation, business, stores, or route related links on Google Maps, then you need to install a couple of Google apps on your iPhone. The list of Google Apps includes the Google Search app, Google Chrome web browser, and Gmail. Yes, these three apps are required to redirect all navigation links to Google Maps.

Installing these apps on iPhone is not enough, you need to set these apps as default apps to redirect the navigation links to Google Maps. Whether you own the iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 or any other model. You can follow the below listed mentioned steps on your iPhone running iOS 16 or newer.

Here’s how you can change the default apps on your iPhone.

How to Set Gmail as the Default Mail app on iPhone

how to make google maps default on iPhone

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on Gmail.
Select Default Mail app.
Now tap Gmail to set it as your default mailing app.

How to configure Gmail to open Navigation links in Google Maps

Open Gmail app on your iPhone. You need to sign in with your Google Account in the app.
Once done, tap on the three lines available on the top left corner.
Now select Settings and then tap Default apps.
Turn the toggle off for Ask me which app to use every time for Google Chrome.
Now select Google Maps under Navigation from your location and Navigation between locations.
Now tap done.

How to Set Google Maps as Default Maps in Google Search App

Launch the Google app on your iPhone and sign into the app.
Now, tap on your Profile photo at the top right corner
Open the Settings menu.
Select Settings and tap on General.
Now tap on the Default apps option and select the Google Maps app.

How to Set Google Chrome as Default Browser on iPhone

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Scroll down, tap on Google Chrome.
Select Default Browser App.
Now select Google Chrome as your default browser.

Now whenever you open any navigation or business link from Google Chrome or Gmail, it will be opened in Google Maps instead of Apple Maps.

If you are traveling a lot and usually search for different locations then you can switch your default browser to Google Chrome. Yes, you can add the Chrome app to your home screen, additionally, you can even place it inside the dock.

This is one of the easiest ways to make Google Maps default on iPhone, if you still have any queries left in your mind, leave it down in the comment box.

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