Apple Maps Now Works on Android Devices – Sort of

1️⃣ Apple Maps is now accessible on Android through web browsers (maps.apple.com), not as an app.
2️⃣ It lacks key features like location saving, transit info, offline maps, and Apple ID sign-in.
3️⃣ Apple’s move may be driven by regulatory pressure and competition with Google.
4️⃣ Apple Maps offers a cleaner design, but Google Maps remains the more feature-rich option.

Listen to the article:

Apple Maps has officially made its way to Android, but don’t get too excited just yet. While this might sound like a major shift in Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem, it’s not exactly what you might expect. Instead of a dedicated app on the Google Play Store, Apple Maps is now accessible through mobile web browsers at maps.apple.com.

Apple Maps on Android – What’s the Deal?

For years, Apple Maps was locked inside iPhones, iPads, and Macs. If you weren’t in Apple’s ecosystem, you were out of luck. That changed when Apple introduced a web-based version last year, allowing desktop and tablet users to access it from any browser. Now, that functionality has expanded to smartphones, including Android devices.

Android users can open maps.apple.com in browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox to search for locations, get turn-by-turn navigation, and check out nearby businesses. The Look Around feature, Apple’s version of Google’s Street View, is also available in supported areas.

Limitations Compared to Google Maps

While Apple Maps is now accessible to Android users via a web browser, it’s not a fully functional replacement for Google Maps. Key features like saving locations, real-time transit information, offline maps, and syncing across devices are missing.

⚠️ No Apple ID sign-in – This means you can’t save favorite locations, access custom guides, or sync your data across devices, limiting personalization options.

⚠️ Limited transit information – Unlike Google Maps, which offers detailed real-time public transportation updates, Apple Maps on the web doesn’t provide comprehensive transit data, making it less reliable for navigating public transport.

⚠️ No offline mode – Google Maps allows users to download maps for offline use, which is invaluable in areas with limited or no internet connection. Unfortunately, Apple Maps on Android doesn’t support offline navigation, so an internet connection is always required.

These limitations make the experience feel more basic compared to what Android users are accustomed to with Google Maps.

Why the Shift?

Apple’s decision to expand Maps beyond its own devices may be part of a broader push toward interoperability. With increasing regulatory pressure, especially from the European Union, Apple has been forced to open up some of its services. This move could also be Apple’s way of slowly competing with Google in the mapping space, even if it still has a long way to go.

Should You Switch?

For Android users, Apple Maps on the web is a decent alternative if you prefer its cleaner design and privacy-focused approach. However, Google Maps still dominates with its deep feature set, real-time traffic updates, and massive user-generated content.

If you’re curious, give maps.apple.com a try on your Android device. Just don’t expect it to replace Google Maps anytime soon.