Google Maps

In short: Pls. give http://maps.google.com/?force=canvas a try.

In detail:

Hm..., I myself experienced the issue today for the first time.

I then updated Safari to 13.0.4 without applying Security Update 2019-007 10.13.6 (as there are frightful reports about upgrade failures).

The problem still persists.

So the problem might be caused by some recent changes within Google Maps itself.

There have been similar reports years ago...

Google Maps recommends using 2D mode when experiencing problems with (now default) 3D mode on one of its Maps help pages at https://support.google.com/maps/answer/3031966?hl=en

2D Mode: This Google Maps version may work better on older or lower performance computers. It doesn’t have 3D images or WebGL, and it uses simple zooming and transitions. Open Maps in 2D Mode.

And yes: A bit dull, but working like a charm :-)

Going to the page and selecting 2D mode worked for me also, but 3D mode will crash if I try that again.

"2D Mode: This Google Maps version may work better on older or lower performance computers. It doesn’t have 3D images or WebGL, and it uses simple zooming and transitions. Open Maps in 2D Mode."

@jmc-photog

jmc-photog wrote:

<snip>

Maybe Google is now trying to discourage Safari users?

Nah! Safari works (fully functionally) with the latest version of Mac OS Catalina, version 10.15.2. and it will work with those devices limited to El Capitan (Mac OS 10.11.6) using Safari Version: 11.1.2 (11605.3.8.1), although 3D imagery will not work.

Thus the problem is (AFAI can tell) using Safari version13.0.4 (13608.4.9.1.4) with Google Maps (GM) with the earlier GM supported versions of Mac OS (Mac OS versions 10.12.0, up to 10.15.2.)

As a temporary workaround, using https://www.google.com/maps/?force=canvas will (likely) allow you to use the latest version of Safari (version13.0.4), but will not provide 3D imagery -- only 2D. Not ideal, but it may be a solution for some until a fix for this bug is made.

I anticipate Apple is on this issue. I can state that the Google Maps Team is working on it.

Spidermonkey- good handle, but waiting for a fix is an unknown in this case.

See my other posts- but the short version is that Google Maps had an update and unless you have the latest Apple OS on your device you cannot load it.

My MacBookPro cannot load the lated Mac OS so I am using the best of the old one- 10.13.6

The fix is to go to Google and find the prior map version- load it and it works.... I use it every day. No 3-D but I do not use it anyway.

Hi brendafromhurst,

Okay, let's try downloading a copy of Firefox and see if it works using a different web browser.

Another thing you could try is to create a new user account and see if you can load google maps this way in Safari.

Finally you could try booting into Safe Mode, hold down the shift key when you boot your mac and release it when you see the login screen. It will say Safe boot in red in the menu bar. Login and see if you can access google maps this way.

I hope this helps.

Google Maps remembers the 2D / 3D setting.

So it's best to leak both of them "buttons" here:

Switch between Google Maps versions

There are two versions of Google Maps on your computer you can use:

3D Mode: This is the standard Google Maps experience. You’ll see smooth zooming and transitions, 3D buildings, satellite images, and additional detail. Open Maps in 3D Mode.

2D Mode: This Google Maps version may work better on older or lower performance computers. It doesn’t have 3D images or WebGL, and it uses simple zooming and transitions. Open Maps in 2D Mode.

Not certain why, but I was on a 1 hour call to Apple support on the issue.... and an "email" came in saying they had the same issue using High Sierra and he gave a link wo a slightly older version of Google Maps. I D/l'd it and opened it- and IT WORKS!/

I think that High Sierrs will not play what might be a newer version of G-Maps...

Hope this helps someone...

No, it didn't. Unless you are telling us that you also clicked on the link to the 3D version of Google Maps that pops up when you go to the 2D version using your link above... Did you? I did, and the error message came right back.

What you are publishing as having solved the problem, is actually going back to the old 2D version of Google Maps. 3D Google Maps doesn't work anymore in Safari.

I don't think this is a google issue. I believe It's an Apple issue.

Hopefully they'll release a fix for this soon.

What's weird is that it works under Safari 13.0.4 using MacOS Catalina for me though.

Have you tried booting into Safe mode, hold down option key at boot to see if it works this way?

Also trying under a new user account just to see if it's not something with your account.

Yes. The solution that worked for me was found on this site. The issue was my operating system. I have an older MacBook Pro that will not take the newest OS Catalina. I had to go find an older GMap version that was also posted on this site- I do not recall where it was located. Maybe someone can point you there. Or try a Google search for an older version. It might be V2.0

If you have a newer OS the new Map ought to work. If you have an older OS, you will need an older map version.

I can confirm that the problem existed prior to 13.0.4. I updated Safari to 13.0.4 because the problem with Google Maps on the previous version. Just to clarify, I am talking about my husband's computer that runs High Sierra 10.13.6. His computer's operating software cannot be upgraded. My computer with Safari 13.0.3 running on Catalina 10.15.1 has no issues.

I am still on High Sierra 10.13.6 ...no other issues at all apart from this Google Map since the last Security update and Safari update.

Based on the other users and start date of this, it HAS to be the update and them to find a fix for it. Fingers crossed.

Exact same issue for me, GoogleMaps won't load on my MacBook Pro with Safari 13.0.4, as of two days ago on 12/14/19, through I can open Maps in Chrome. However, my desktop Mac, with older version of Safari 12.0.1, can get Google Maps just fine. Maybe Google is now trying to discourage Safari users?

@silver_mica

I never heard of Google Maps in 3D imagery mode (unless you mean Street View - which is working)

At the very bottom (right) of the Map (in satellite/aerial view) do you see "3D Earth view is not available."? [See screenshot]

@silver_mica,

I intended to ask you in my last message, what happens (or displays at the bottom of the Map) when you click on the "globe" in the map (the round icon at the top above Pegman?) [screenshot]