Reporting Apple Maps problems too difficult

You and thousands of people have been sending in their requests for map corrections. I gave up, they aren't listening.

If everyone stopped reporting problems nothing will happen. I can't wait for apple to start fixing. Terrible having the function to report, but nothing seems to be done. Not very satisfying.

I believe part of the problem is finger pointing between Apple and Tom Tom.

If I understand the process correctly, Tom Tom provides the map data but the navigation app is designed by Apple. So apple is saying the map data is incorrect and Tom Tom replies that the Apple Maps app isn't using the map data properly. Corrections to the map probably bounce back and forth between the two entities.

In google's case, they own the app and the map data. Regardless of whether the problem is with the app or the map, they have both parts and are likely in a better position to collaboratively work to develop a solution to problems.

As to the lack of acknowledgement with reporting the issue, that is truly poor customer service. AT&T sends an acknowledgement with text or email when you submit a network problem on their cell work with the Mark the Spot app. They also send out a text / email when a fix has been put into place for issue reported. If AT&T, not at the top of the customer service heap, knows to do that basic customer follow-up, there is no excuse for Apple neglecting it.

My street is labeled incorrectly, I've been trying over a year to get it changed. I've sent reports at least twice monthly through Apple Maps & I've also sent emails to Apple Support. Nothing helps.

We had guests from out of town who got confused because my street didn't exist when they typed it in as destination. I had to tell them the name of the street that Apple Maps has listed as my street. They were also using Apple Maps. This should not be happening.

I've looked on my husbands Google Maps & our street is correct. I've never downloaded Google Maps because I really wanted to use only Apple Maps. Tom Tom doesn't pay any attention to reports sent in & Apple says you won't get a response from them..it's just sad that they don't care enough about Maps to fix what's wrong.

My street two. I reported it when Apple Maps was first launched, and it's still wrong.

What's worse is that if you supply a Postcode and the correct street name, Apple Maps ignores the postcode completely and simply finds the nearest street with the same name.

In my case, the street name is shown as Smith's Grove when it should be Smith Grove. I have my correct full address in Contacts, but Apple Maps directs me to a location 50 miles from my house (where there happens to be another Smith Grove).

Google Maps had the same problem, but after I submitted a report, it was fixed in 2 weeks! However, to be fair to Apple, Google own all their own map data, whereas Apple have theirs supplied to them from a variety of external sources.

When you think about it: what power do Apple have to make changes? I expect they have very little influence indeed, which is why it's a shame their inferior mapping app is the default in iOS7.

Which brings me to a question: remember when Microsoft were dragged through the courts for supplying windows with a web browser (Internet Explorer) that had many advantages over competitors due to its integration within the operating system? How do Apple get away with similar tactics?

tjwolf wrote:

*** Apple, would it kill you to acknowledge problem reports and - if you're feeling generous - to let us know when something is fixed??? One of these days, I'm gonna get off my duff and ask that question on their FB or Twitter page....who knows - maybe public shaming will work?

Apple do not have a Twitter or Facebook page. In fact Apple do not do social media at all, precisely to avoid the kind of tactic you were hoping to employ! :-)

Beebes68 wrote:

I believe part of the problem is finger pointing between Apple and Tom Tom.

If I understand the process correctly, Tom Tom provides the map data but the navigation app is designed by Apple. So apple is saying the map data is incorrect and Tom Tom replies that the Apple Maps app isn't using the map data properly. Corrections to the map probably bounce back and forth between the two entities.

You can very quickly check who's to blame, by going to http://www.tomtom.com/mapshare/tools (and creating a free account to log in). Here you can see TomTom's current map data, and you can make corrections if you need to.

I did this to report my street name but, nearly 18 months later, it's still wrong in Apple Maps.

m0thr4, thanks for the suggestion to check TomTom's map source: http://www.tomtom.com/mapshare/tools

It's a little unintuitive to submit a correction, but I did so 2 days ago and today received a thank you email explaining that they checked and confirmed my business address innacuracy, and that it will be corrected in their next quarterly map release!!

I urge everyone with innaccurate data within Apple's Maps App to follow the link above and submit a report. Again, it's not as intuitive as it should be - you'll know when you've done it right though as it displays an unmistakable confirmation and an email follows quickly. Note: you must create a free account to submit errors or ommissions.

Not sure how quickly Apple intergrates TomTom's quarterly updates, but at least it's fixed for TomTom's hardware and other proactive parties that use TomTom mapping data.

Again, huge thanks!!

John G

Well that's a bummer tjwolf.

I wonder how long it's been fixed in TomTom's system. If TomTom fixed it within the last quarter, perhaps it will be reflected in the next Maps App update, which most likely occurs in iOS point updates. We'll see...

John G

The worst thing about apple maps for me Being in a smaller town, Medford Oregon.

If i do a search for a place, Say Target, you start to type TAR and it pulls up stuff 1000 miles away, then if you finish TARGET it will show targets 500 miles away, never listing the one of the parking lot i'm sitting in.

even when you start typing in the address it's wrong until you type in the city and state. It may or may Not show the one you are 500 ft from.

Also notices to turn and the map update often come well past the turn. Grrrrrrr.