Apple Maps Alternatives

[pedzsan]

I try really hard to use Apple Maps. I send corrections to them on a weekly basis. But… I’m about to give up. If I search for “foo” with Apple Maps I might get 3 hits. If I search in Google Maps, I get 3,000 hits. Places in Apple Maps are marked as Closed which are not. It just is horrible. As they say in Silicon Valley, it is Apple Maps bad.

But I hate everything Google and use it only when I must. Sad that they turned devote evil about 8 years ago. In any case, are there any alternatives that actually do basically the same thing as Apple Maps or Google Maps? I don’t quite understand why there isn’t an app that uses Open Street Maps’ data — unless they forbid it perhaps?

Anyhow… question is: what do you use in place of Apple Maps?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

To be honest when it comes to navigation there’s not many options because if you do venture out and find another app it’s likely not updated, bad navigation, poor UI, etc. Google has built their own ecosystem while Apple uses TomTom for map data in addition to their own. Waze is owned by Google as well.

While Google maybe the “devil”, using a subpar navigation app is just not worth the headache. Additionally, privacy and a closed ecosystem is why Apple’s Map data is either inconsistent or just wrong. All the analytics to determine traffic times, business closures, etc need help from the users to some extent or how else would anyone know the status of things?

Use what app does what you want because at the end of the day all navigation apps data mine while you’re using them and thinking one of them uses it for good vs evil is overrated. Here’s a good article that’s recent.

Google Maps vs Apple Maps: A Detailed Comparison

Google Maps or Apple Maps wondering which one is better? We pit Google Maps vs Apple Maps in navigation, accuracy, privacy and more.

beebom.com

 

[NoGood@Usernames]

I always keep Here WeGo installed on my phone as it allows you to selectively download offline maps for an entire state or country, which is nice when you’re on the road in an unfamiliar area where you can’t always count on cell service. It’s a pretty nice app and receives regular updates to both features and the map. With that said, the POI information is not on the same level as Google or Apple. Might be worth a look though.

 

[Piplodocus]

I agree the search functionality on Apple Maps is pretty crap. It's my favourite app for navigation, but if I'm in a random town and I'm trying to find something like "curry", "live music" or "craft beer" google maps just absolutely destroys it for search results. I'm just not convinced if you're using an app to search for nearby places, that much else is going to beat google's search unfortunately.

I presume that's basically your question? You have no issues with AM for navigation, just finding local things/places/services?

 

[MozMan68]

Either you are using it wrong or just trolling. Based on the location listed in your own profile, Apple Maps fills up the available list space with “foo” entered obviously defaulting to “food” locations (excuse my local favorite grocery store listed at the top).

…and a search for me locally…

If you want to sort through 3,000 listings, go for it. Apple does have work to do on POI information, but you can certainly fix if there is an error and it is usually taken care of within 48 hours in my experience. COVID has caused a lot of businesses to change hours drastically on seemingly on a more frequent pace…hard to keep up for any app.

 

[Piplodocus]

Either you are using it wrong or just trolling.

Am I using it wrong too?
Just searched the Southampton area for curry:

…16.

Google maps…

... only showing showing a few, because google (correctl;y) found in excess of 50 in this area. I stopped looking after 50, because normally I'd search a smaller area or sort by best. But the point stands, most of them don't appear in Apple Maps. If I'm "using it wrong" then it's only because Apple didn't "write it well".

 

[Piplodocus]

So, let's try a genuine one because I do actually need to get some drum lessons. And obvs want them near my home. What's google say around southampton...

...various.

Am I too mean to Apple Maps?...

None! Not near my house at least! The nearest - I'd have to drive to Portsmouth. And within 5 hits I have to drive all the way to bl**dy London! ?


That's an *EPIC* failure to find stuff relative to Google. It's a joke. As stated above I prefer Apple Maps to navigate when I know were I'm going, but it's a complete joke at finding shops & services.

 

[MozMan68]

You claimed "foo" brought up only 3 responses...I clearly showed it brings up WAY more.

Now you are bringing up completely different examples in response? Nice try.

I clearly stated that Apple has work to do on POI info...your "drum lesson" example is exactly what Google is good at as they have built up a database from users or business listings ON GOOGLE to create the list of every at home drum tutor. And exactly why if you look at their map you see hundreds of fake/spam businesses listed at home addresses.

Yes...they are better at that...I've always said that in every post regarding Apple and POI's, but you need to at least be fair about your "I typed in 'foo' and only 3 listings came up" BS that you originally posted.

EDIT: FYI...looked into the "curry" search more and Apple actually does have a "curry" option for business listings, it just isn't included in the majority of the ones Google has listed as either it was not added by the owner and Google also uses parsing from words in reviews to bring up listings. Again, smart on Google's part, but it will also help business owners to make those edits to their own listings as they may have done with Google in the past.

 

[ian87w]

In the end, it's about local listings.
Google Maps has a huge advantage as it is also essentially a digital yellow pages, with Google encouraging businesses to create their spots on the map, and also allows advertising. Literally a digital yellow pages.

Apple Maps is just more of a map app instead of a digital yellow pages. Without those inherent objective to have as many local listings as possible, it won't ever compete with Google Maps.

In my country, Apple Maps is essentially useless. Barely any accurate listings. Google Maps itself is hardly perfect, but the amount of businesses and crowsourcing putting data into it made it better.

It cannot be helped. As much as you dislike Google, when it comes to search and listings, you cannot find anyone better as that is Google's main business.

 

[max2]

I use Map Redirect for Map Links works well and gives me a choice of what map app or site I want to use easily! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/map-redirect-for-map-links/id1590589672

 

[Piplodocus]

You claimed "foo" brought up only 3 responses...I clearly showed it brings up WAY more.

Now you are bringing up completely different examples in response? Nice try.

I clearly stated that Apple has work to do on POI info...your "drum lesson" example is exactly what Google is good at as they have built up a database from users or business listings ON GOOGLE to create the list of every at home drum tutor. And exactly why if you look at their map you see hundreds of fake/spam businesses listed at home addresses.

Yes...they are better at that...I've always said that in every post regarding Apple and POI's, but you need to at least be fair about your "I typed in 'foo' and only 3 listings came up" BS that you originally posted.

EDIT: FYI...looked into the "curry" search more and Apple actually does have a "curry" option for business listings, it just isn't included in the majority of the ones Google has listed as either it was not added by the owner and Google also uses parsing from words in reviews to bring up listings. Again, smart on Google's part, but it will also help business owners to make those edits to their own listings as they may have done with Google in the past.

I'm not the OP who said anything about "foo" so this post is somewhat amusing, as yes, I brought up similar frustrating examples as the OP as to why I have to use google maps to find local services. You make make many excuses as to why google finds more, but all are irrelevant. If google maps finds stuff you want with a simple search that Apple doesn't, saying "you're using it wrong" is top-level fanboy-ism of completely ignoring the facts. No-one cares if Apple has a curry business option, if it doesn't show all the local curry houses in my current area when I search for them it's not very good. If it doesn't show a fraction of the drum lessons near me (or any AT ALL close when they exist) it's not very good. Both my examples CLEARLY show Apple maps is inferior at actually finding stuff for the reasons ian87w says. Why it doesn't is of no consequence. Only that it doesn't. As I noted, I prefer it for navigation so wish it was as good, but basically you agree in your above post that google maps is far better as this kind of use case so I don't see what you're trying to argue. Nice try. ?

 

[MozMan68]

I'm not the OP who said anything about "foo" so this post is somewhat amusing, as yes, I brought up similar frustrating examples as the OP as to why I have to use google maps to find local services. You make make many excuses as to why google finds more, but all are irrelevant. If google maps finds stuff you want with a simple search that Apple doesn't, saying "you're using it wrong" is top-level fanboy-ism of completely ignoring the facts. No-one cares if Apple has a curry business option, if it doesn't show all the local curry houses in my current area when I search for them it's not very good. If it doesn't show a fraction of the drum lessons near me (or any AT ALL close when they exist) it's not very good. Both my examples CLEARLY show Apple maps is inferior at actually finding stuff for the reasons ian87w says. Why it doesn't is of no consequence. Only that it doesn't. As I noted, I prefer it for navigation so wish it was as good, but basically you agree in your above post that google maps is far better as this kind of use case so I don't see what you're trying to argue. Nice try. ?

Ummm...yeah...my responses were quite clear and I agreed with you in my second post once you provided different examples. I did mistake you for the OP as responding, so I can see where it seems argumentative at first.

I'm not sure that makes me an Apple fanboi simply because I pointed out OP's first post seemed to be an attempt at trolling since it was easily disproved with a 5 second search. Typing "foo" brings up more than 3 results...Apple has work to do on POI information...that's all I said and I'm not sure you can argue with that.

The OP on the other hand (nor you) bothered to respond to my point about the actual initial post complaint, regarding what comes up when typing in the three letters HE listed. I didn't change the narrative/example by picking something else to make my argument work or be more effective, you did....I addressed that separately and then agreed with you...nothing more.

 

[TechThule]

I have given up on Apple Maps, too.

As the OP said, it misses many businesses that Google Maps finds easily.

But the bigger issue for me is bad directions. I used Apple Maps to find a stone quarry while towing a 5,000 lb trailer. I think what happened is that the iPhone lost contact during the trip, and somehow reset the destination. It directed me to a one lane driveway, saying "you can walk to your destination." I was 18 miles away from my destination. That's pretty egregious. Wrong, wrong, wrong. The people who lived where I was directed told me that Apple maps sent someone who was looking for a golf course to their driveway. (Hearsay, but still...)

And it has also gone haywire in cities. On a trip to Dallas it led me into a residential neighborhood two miles from the restaurant I had typed in.

In both cases the map showed the correct destination initially, when I hit "go." But somewhere along the way, the turn by turn directions decided I really wanted to go somewhere else.

 

[Aerisdies]

I'll just chime in. I'm living in SEA, specifically Philippines.
You know... how much updates we are getting vs US and other mainstream 1st/2nd world countries.

I wanted Apple Maps to be my main Maps app but I find a lot of missing/outdated businesses whenever I search. Also no Offline Maps! Then I tried Here We Go but it focuses so much on European countries though it has an Offline Maps feature.
Last, I went back to Google Maps (I was an Android user), and there, much updated and better road navigation (because there are a lot of Android users here that curate locations and traffic updates).

No troll or bullsheet here. That's what I was experiencing with Apple Maps. So, the other big deal breaker is the nonexistent Offline maps.

 

[piattj]

I have ditched use of Google where possible but Google Maps is inherently better than Apple Maps if (eg) you're driving & want up to date info on accidents, diversions, road closures, congestion etc. It's way bette than Apple Maps. Google Maps (I HATE to say this) has got me out of some potentially disruptive journey hitches. I wish there was an Apple alternative but... any other experiences welcomed...

 

[dodgywanker]

I try really hard to use Apple Maps. I send corrections to them on a weekly basis. But… I’m about to give up. If I search for “foo” with Apple Maps I might get 3 hits. If I search in Google Maps, I get 3,000 hits. Places in Apple Maps are marked as Closed which are not. It just is horrible. As they say in Silicon Valley, it is Apple Maps bad.

But I hate everything Google and use it only when I must. Sad that they turned devote evil about 8 years ago. In any case, are there any alternatives that actually do basically the same thing as Apple Maps or Google Maps? I don’t quite understand why there isn’t an app that uses Open Street Maps’ data — unless they forbid it perhaps?

Anyhow… question is: what do you use in place of Apple Maps?

Try "Organic Maps". It uses Open Streetmap data, is free (donate if you can), is similar to Here WeGo where you can donwload maps of entire countries to use offline.

I primarily use Apple Maps, Google when I must & Organic Maps when I want on-the-ground detail that AM & GM lacks. AM & GM has a lot of data on businesses (reviews, open hours, etc) but Open Streetmap data is more like "if you could fly like a bird, what's on the ground?" You'll often find Open Streetmap has updates to new neighbourhoods, show park benches, walking/ hiking paths, charging stations, etc., more detail/ faster updates of ground info than either AM or GM.

My beef with Apple Maps is corrections; that team needs to get fired. I've sent multiple corrections where I've also included a screenshot of the restaurant website confirming new hours or a map of the new shop location from the official shopping centre website & even one with photo proof & the updates were still rejected. Who's the head of Apple Maps corrections? I'd like to send specific examples to that person to illustrate how bad the team has botched corrections. If they want AM to get better don't reject my corrections when I've sent multiple pieces of proof.