Apple Maps simply bought an enormous increase, and it would get me to delete Google Maps

You won’t bear in mind, however when Apple Maps first launched with iOS 6, changing Google Maps on iPhones, it was a catastrophe. Past missing many options Google customers took without any consideration, its protection was restricted. Typically that protection was inaccurate and even harmful — one story I vividly bear in mind reporting on concerned Australian drivers ending up stranded within the Outback. They needed to be rescued, which is perhaps probably the most damning evaluate you would ever give an app.

I and lots of others largely prevented Apple Maps for a very long time after that. I’d dip into it sometimes to test its progress, however then swap again to Google (or perhaps Waze) virtually instantly. The software program did shortly transfer previous its “disastrous” section, however there was no compelling cause to drop Google, particularly in the event you have been touring internationally or had numerous bookmarked addresses. You must see my bookmarks for Austin — town is virtually smothered in stars.

Because the launch of iOS 26, I’ve discovered myself not solely utilizing Apple Maps much more, however toying with making it my default navigation app. That is not assured at this stage for a number of causes, however Apple has made sufficient developments to no less than ponder the concept.

What’s so particular about Apple Maps in iOS 26?

Figuing out the way you really drive

Strictly talking, there aren’t that many modifications. Some individuals are keen on the brand new Visited Locations function, which borrows a cue from the Google Maps Timeline in letting you see the place you have been over time. I do not discover both instrument significantly helpful exterior of nostalgia — it isn’t like I am touring so usually that I am forgetting the very best locations to go to in Ottawa or Osaka.

There’s larger potential within the app’s new Apple Intelligence-based Siri searches, since I might hypothetically ask one thing like “discover BBQ eating places with free Wi-FI” and get significant outcomes. In follow, although, I hardly ever have an curiosity in looking out that method. I am both headed to a particular tackle — the fitness center, the airport, the physician, and so forth. — or I am content material to make use of the app’s fundamental filter buttons and browse for one thing shut by. Proximity normally reigns supreme, and when it does not, there’s much more to research than fundamental classes, facilities, or scores.

The factor that is caught my consideration with iOS 26 is a function referred to as Most well-liked Routes. Apple Maps has lengthy been in a position to predict the place you will be headed at a given time. The iOS 26 model of the app can’t solely provide you with a warning to related delays, however recommend the route you’ll usually, really take as considered one of your navigation choices.

That may not appear to be an enormous deal. In lots of circumstances, it will not be — you must drive the identical route for some time for Maps to choose up on it, and your regular route will usually align with different suggestions anyway. We have all had these moments, nevertheless, when an app’s generic routes do not acknowledge the realities of the place they’re taking you. A left flip may cross a highway that hardly has sufficient openings to make it safely — a backroad, in the meantime, might be in such dangerous form that it will injury your tires or windshield. In Austin, the place I used to reside, folks usually keep away from I35 or MoPac if in any respect attainable, regardless of these being the very best selections on paper. Most well-liked Routes ought to can help you navigate with out being nudged into these types of traps.

There is not any equal of this function in Google Maps but. It ought to be attainable, since it isn’t too laborious to extrapolate from Timeline information. Till then, although, Most well-liked Routes might doubtlessly be a game-changing benefit for me and others. I am not making any agency conclusions till I’ve had some extra time behind the wheel.

The influence of cumulative upgrades

Arduous work is lastly paying off

Credit score: Apple

Returning to Apple Maps has jogged my memory of different issues the app has performed higher for some time. Maybe my favourite is its extra detailed voice directions. As a substitute of simply saying one thing like “in 400 meters, flip proper,” Siri will reference real-world markers, for instance turning that final immediate into “after the cease signal, flip proper” or “on the subsequent set of lights, flip proper.” I do not find out about you, however I discover uncooked distance figures meaningless in metropolis driving — I get extra out of watching how shut my arrow icon is to an upcoming flip.

Apple Maps can be carefully built-in with the Apple Watch. When a flip is arising, my wrist vibrates. Instructions will proceed to show on the Watch if I get out of the automotive and I am nonetheless a long way away, and watchOS 26 may even spotlight close by Maps locations on its Waypoint watchface, no matter whether or not you’ve the app open. None of that is honest to Google, which does not have the identical degree of machine entry, nevertheless it’s a bonus nonetheless.

The place issues aren’t higher, they no less than really feel (principally) on par with Google Maps. Each apps have fairly thorough protection of Edmonton, the place I presently reside, together with 3D buildings and fundamental enterprise data. Additionally they share incident reporting, and the flexibility to route you round main visitors delays. Neither is totally dependable relating to highlighting close by bike trails, which issues loads to me now that I am riding my EUC additional away from residence.

The pull of Google Maps

Why switching might not be attainable but

Credit score: Rivian

The largest downside of Apple Maps is its exclusivity. Whereas it has a beta internet interface, it is a pale shadow of each Google Maps and the model for Apple units — you possibly can’t even log in your Apple Account — and there isn’t any native Android app to talk of. That makes planning far much less handy than it’s with Google Maps, and sharing largely pointless except the individual you are sending a hyperlink to can be an iPhone proprietor. Should you dare to modify away from Apple merchandise, your bookmarks will not carry over. From a flexibility standpoint, it’s totally laborious to justify switching away from Google Maps completely.

Apple additionally tends to path behind Google relating to bringing options to extra nations. Whereas it is unusual to discover a place the place Google Road View does not work, the Apple equal (Look Round) is not even accessible in each main US metropolis, not to mention having the ability to depend on it for a visit to Mexico or Jamaica. Typically, Apple’s priorities are weird. I am unable to get augmented actuality strolling instructions in Edmonton, a serious Canadian metropolis, however I can get them in Wigan or Southend-on-Sea within the UK.

The additional enterprise particulars Google collects could make an enormous distinction, too. I can virtually all the time depend on a Google restaurant itemizing having a menu accessible, whereas Apple boots you to third-party web sites or apps. Google location pages additionally are likely to show exercise ranges and customer opinions. Wrapping these items collectively, it is laborious to disregard how far more helpful Google Maps is for making a call. It is robotically my instrument of alternative for planning any trip. At finest, I would flip to Apple Maps for turn-by-turn strolling instructions after I land.

I will maintain maining Apple Maps for a short time longer, no less than. However in the long run, I feel Apple goes to need to make some strategic enhancements to win me over utterly.