Google Maps for iOS Officially Available in the App Store

Published on 12-13-2012 02:02 AM

After all of that waiting, iOS 6 users can now get the beloved Google Maps back on their iOS devices without having to go through Mobile Safari, as can anyone else with an iOS device running iOS 5.1 or higher. The official Google Maps application is now available in the App Store for free from Google.

Google Maps brings Google’s own well-recognized maps, including turn-by-turn voice navigation, street view, bus, train, subway, and walking routes, live traffic information, and much more. Many of these features weren’t even available in the iOS 5 version of Google Maps.

The voice navigation uses the same voice you’ll hear in the Google Search application when you invoke Google Now, and it’s very much like Apple’s Maps’ voice navigation. You’ll get some important street information at the top of the display, and at the bottom, you’ll find the total distance to get from point A to point B and the ability to cancel the navigation. There's also a little compass, much like in Apple's Maps application.

The three dots at the bottom of the display indicate a menu that can be opened to enable traffic information, public transit information, Satellite view, and open Google Earth (if you have it installed).

The Google Maps application will also allow users to sync their mapping information between their mobile devices and their computer. This makes it easy to begin on the computer and continue your navigation on the go – where you will need it the most. Like Apple's Maps application, Google Maps will also display ratings for businesses and restaurants that you search for as well.

The Google Maps application is free and can be downloaded from the App Store from this link.

Can anyone say "finally?!"

Sources: App Store

_{This article was originally published in forum thread:
Google Maps for iOS Officially Available in the App Store
started by
Anthony Bouchard} _{View original post}

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46 Comments

confucious - 12-13-2012, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by NewdestinyX

There's a way to trick Apple Store into believing you're already on iOS 6 if you're jailbroken on a 4S. I did this before and got the newest Pages version for iOS 5 when I was still on 4.2.8 Jailbroken. But darned if I can remember how to do it now. Of course there's no guarantee that the new Google Maps app will work on 5.1.1.. That's the disclaimer. For what it's worth Pages for 5 worked perfectly on iOS 4.2.8.

Changing the ProductVersion in SystemVersion.plist would do that but it's really not recommended.
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joshlogic - 12-13-2012, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by confucious

Changing the ProductVersion in SystemVersion.plist would do that but it's really not recommended.

Or needed. You can download this without any issues at all.
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tabit - 12-13-2012, 07:37 AM

It would be nice if there is street view while navigating like in droid
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Itchybums - 12-13-2012, 07:45 AM

I have not once had problems with my apple maps. Bloggers are making this a bigger deal then what it is.
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confucious - 12-13-2012, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Itchybums

I have not once had problems with my apple maps. Bloggers are making this a bigger deal then what it is.

You presumably live in the USA? And don't use satellite view? Or live in one of the areas where it actually works and obviously don't use StreetView.

Here in the UK the maps are useless - but even if they fix the maps, the satellite view is 'patchy' at best and street view on Apple Maps is non existent.

To take away features lots of people use was not a good idea, especially as the maps, outside the USA are often very inaccurate. Just because something works in the way tou use it, where you are does not mean it works for everyone, everywhere.
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DoWoRkSoN - 12-13-2012, 08:09 AM

Street view in the new google maps app works just fine. All you have to do is swipe up and you'll get the option for street view. I hope that helps...

You just have to swipe up inside the app to get to Street View when looking up an address.Attachment 617070
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STM127 - 12-13-2012, 08:26 AM

A feature that needs to be integrated from the default iOS Compass.app:
It shows you the direction you are facing in real time, and I don't know if many people know about it. You have open the compass app first and hit the GPS button which then takes you into the Maps.app
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KnightWing - 12-13-2012, 08:28 AM

I love the new app, voice navigation on my iPhone 4
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hondakorn - 12-13-2012, 09:12 AM

This is awesome. Works perfectly.
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sknet - 12-13-2012, 09:41 AM

unlucky it doesnt support iOS 5.0.1
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aidanharris - 12-13-2012, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by runey71

For street press where you want to see street view. When you see the drop pin an address will appear at the bottom. Click the address and you can select street view there.

Thanks for sharing. It isn't exactly obvious like it is in the old maps app...

Originally Posted by sknet

unlucky it doesnt support iOS 5.0.1

I won't discuss how to install it but here's its ipa:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/e6ccit
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rcm - 12-13-2012, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by NewdestinyX

There's a way to trick Apple Store into believing you're already on iOS 6 if you're jailbroken on a 4S. I did this before and got the newest Pages version for iOS 5 when I was still on 4.2.8 Jailbroken. But darned if I can remember how to do it now. Of course there's no guarantee that the new Google Maps app will work on 5.1.1.. That's the disclaimer. For what it's worth Pages for 5 worked perfectly on iOS 4.2.8.

The requirements say it's for ios 5.1 or later, there is no need to trick it, but of course if you are on ios 4, then you will need to trick it to do anything.

anyone know if I can move all my saved addresses from Maps to Google Maps?
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trek-life - 12-13-2012, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by confucious

You presumably live in the USA? And don't use satellite view? Or live in one of the areas where it actually works and obviously don't use StreetView.

Here in the UK the maps are useless - but even if they fix the maps, the satellite view is 'patchy' at best and street view on Apple Maps is non existent.

To take away features lots of people use was not a good idea, especially as the maps, outside the USA are often very inaccurate. Just because something works in the way tou use it, where you are does not mean it works for everyone, everywhere.

Thus the same for those that it doesn't work for, right?
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wolverinemarky - 12-13-2012, 11:01 AM

Well I used it last nite to route me home and it wasn't that accurate. It said my house was half a mile more down the street and on the opposite side of the street think I will stick with apple maps till google fixes this issue.
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aidanharris - 12-13-2012, 11:16 AM

A tweak idea for any devs taking note. Navigate to a place in Google Maps using Siri...
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Itchybums - 12-13-2012, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by trek-life

Thus the same for those that it doesn't work for, right?

Ha!
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Ariel5000 - 12-13-2012, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by trialnterror

Street view is accessed by pressing or sliding up the address bar on the bottom after you select an area on the map (drop pin)

What about iPad !!!!!!

STREET VIEW: PULL UP FROM BOTTOM OF SCREEN!
I did a search on Golden Gate Bridge and it gives you a address bar at the bottom, swipe up and street view is in a box in that view!

I have a neat trick for those jailbroken users wanting full Google Maps on iPad. Navigate to root/applications in iFile, find the google maps app, open the info.plist in the Google Maps.app folder and change the UIDevice Family from 1 to 2. voila!! Full screen google maps! Works so well it looks native!
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NewdestinyX - 12-13-2012, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by rcm

The requirements say it's for ios 5.1 or later, there is no need to trick it, but of course if you are on ios 4, then you will need to trick it to do anything.

anyone know if I can move all my saved addresses from Maps to Google Maps?

Great!! Getting it now!!
- Reply

Itchybums - 12-13-2012, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by confucious

You presumably live in the USA? And don't use satellite view? Or live in one of the areas where it actually works and obviously don't use StreetView.

Here in the UK the maps are useless - but even if they fix the maps, the satellite view is 'patchy' at best and street view on Apple Maps is non existent.

To take away features lots of people use was not a good idea, especially as the maps, outside the USA are often very inaccurate. Just because something works in the way tou use it, where you are does not mean it works for everyone, everywhere.

I do live in the USA but I travel a lot for business. I have not had the chance to see if it works overseas but what I do know is that while overseas google maps did not work for me in Europe so I invested in the TomTom App 3 years ago and I have been completely happy. Out of all the map options I have had on my phone. Apple beats everyone hands down. I am glad to see everyone complaining though. That way they make the app perfect and get the bugs out. That way I can free up some space on my phone.
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MarkSta1 - 12-13-2012, 11:48 AM

I guess I'm one of the few that never had any problems with Apple Maps. The only thing I missed was the street view, which was basically just a novelty. The new Google Maps doesn't even integrate with the contact list nor does it offer any sort of voice control. I'm not impressed and will stick with Apple Maps.
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