Apple Maps in iOS 15 can finally go toe-to-toe with Google navigation. Here’s how

Remember when Apple Maps first launched as the iPhone’s native navigation app? After years of Google Maps on iPhone, Apple’s move to make its own app the default instead of Google Maps was a disaster. Over the years, Apple’s made huge strides and now in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 beta, Apple Maps has certainly caught up — and in some areas (maybe?) even passed — Google Maps. 

It’s a bold statement, I know. But Google has some tips it can now pick up from its arch rival. Don’t believe me? You can always sign up for the iOS 15 beta yourself, but keep in mind you’re likely to experience bugs and bad battery life for a while yet. Otherwise, you’ll have to take my word for it after you read through my list of notable improvements to Apple Maps below. 

Read more: 5 lesser-known Apple Maps features you should use on your iPhone

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Apple Maps gets a 3D makeover in iOS 15

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Apple Maps brings confidence with turn-by-turn directions

Currently, when Apple Maps gives turn-by-turn directions, you’re routinely provided with more precise directions such as “turn right in two stoplights” or some other reference to a landmark. Getting more precise instructions from your phone provides more confidence in the route that Apple Maps is taking you on. 

When you start using Apple Maps in iOS 15 to get turn-by-turn driving directions, you’ll see a brand-new look that will add even more confidence. For example, you’ll be able to better identify accidents, traffic jams or construction with a quick glance at your phone’s screen as you follow the route. 

Adding to the accuracy, there’s a new 3D model that the typical 2D map transitions to as you approach an interchange, making it easier to see exactly where you’re supposed to go instead of guessing which lane is the true lane that’s second from the right. 

Also worth noting, Apple says it’ll be easier to identify bike, bus, turn and taxi lanes, along with medians and crosswalks in the new Apple Maps. If you can visualize where you’re supposed to go, along with the current features of hearing specifics, driving in new cities will be less stressful. 

Transit, search improvements and more coming to Apple Maps

There are more features coming to Apple Maps in iOS 15, like an improved transit experience that will send alerts as you near your stop, and allow you to mark your favorite routes so they’re always at the top of your screen. Or if you’d rather, you can quickly look at all nearby departures to see when you need to start your journey. 

Apple is also starting to curate its own Guides that detail venues and businesses you should visit when in a new city. This is clearly an area where Apple needs to do some more work to catch up to Google Maps and its reviews of businesses, but it’s a step in the right direction. 

You’ll also see improvements to searching in Maps with more filters (e.g., Does that place down the street take credit cards?) and information about businesses. 

Apple Maps has a new preferences section

Using Apple Maps prior to iOS 15 meant that you constantly had to change the mode of transportation when getting directions or figure out where to find locations you’d favorited, and it often felt like a chore when doing so. 

With iOS 15, Apple Maps now has a profile page for you to alter your personal travel preferences and find all of your Apple Maps-related data in one place. 

To view your user account in Apple Maps, tap on your profile avatar. You’ll see a list of the various options, including any reviews you’ve left for a business, your favorite locations, any city guides you’ve created and a Preferences page. 

Apple Maps put the world in the palm of your hand

This feature may not help you daily, but it’s something fun to point out nonetheless. Once you have iOS 15 installed, try this: Open Apple Maps and zoom out. Zoom out some more, and then keep zooming out until you’re staring at planet Earth. Apple added an interactive globe to Apple Maps. That means you can spin the globe, only instead of seeing a static image of it, it’ll change to match the time of day in various parts of the world. 

It’s pretty fun to look at and use. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m jealous that my kids will learn geography like this instead of on a paper map or old-fashioned plastic globe. Try zooming out like that on Google Maps, and you’ll find a flat map of Earth. There’s a joke to be made here, but I’ll leave it alone. 

We’ll keep digging through Apple Maps and the rest of iOS 15, for that matter, and share what we discover. For example, we’ve already found several new features everyone is sure to love. But my favorite features are hidden, and of course, I found some of those, too.