Apple Maps is now more popular among iPhone and iPad users than Google Maps.
Apple said that its web mapping service is being used three times as often as its “next leading competitor”, which would be Google Maps, on iPhones and iPads.
The news may come as a surprise to those who remember the considerable criticism the app received when it launched in 2012 because of mapping errors – such as improper labeling of places to unmapped roads.
Apple Maps running on an iPhone.
Apple responded to the criticism, stating that it would “work non-stop” to fix the remaining issues.
CEO of Apple Tim Cook said at the time that Apple “fell short on this commitment” and even advised consumers to use alternative map programs until Apple resolved the problems with Apple Maps.
But it’s been three years now since the app was introduced and as promised by Apple most (if not all) the issues have been fixed.
New features have also been added to the app, such as mass transit directions for Baltimore, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, Mexico City, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto, Washington, D.C. and cities in China.
It should be noted the app has a clear advantage over Google Maps among those who use iOS devices.
Apple Maps is the default mapping application for iPhone, iPad and Apple computers.
For iOS users to use Google Maps they have to install the app manually. In addition, when iOS users ask Siri for directions Apple Maps is always used.
However, Google Maps is still the most popular web mapping app overall, given that it’s available on both iOS and Android – whilst Apple Maps is only for devices running iOS or watchOS.