Q: How to set Google Maps as default map application in iOS 9

Quite a shame, from Appple, to do this ! Right now, I have to copy the adress and paste it to Google Maps...

averyavery wrote:

 

I have just upgraded to iOS 9 and it seems Apple has removed the ability to switch from Apple Maps to a third party map app as the default app when clicking address links from iCalendar, etc.

 

Is there a way to set a third party app as the default app to launch when clicking address links from other apps? Please help.

They didn't remove it because it was never there.

No, there is no way to set third party apps as default apps.

Apple Maps still gives perfect instructions to extraterrestrials.  Unfortunately, I travel on earth and use Google Maps every day in my work.  Apple Maps is unusable.

Figure out how to build better traffic reporting and faster routing and I'll switch.  Otherwise, get this POS out of my way.

I too use Google Maps or Waze for driving navigation (plus my in car Nav stinks).  What I found is you can enter address into Maps or use the address link in message, calendar etc which will open Maps.  Select the Car to begin the routing and then when routing is completed, in the upper right hand corner is the "share" option.  Select it and Google Maps or Waze will open (if they are installed on your iPhone).  Hope this helps..

People and the media scream when Microsoft tries to force it's apps on people but when Apple does it's ok.  I've been evaluating my software vendors mobile apps on the iPhone.  It uses the default map application and it's terrible.  If my vendor can't use a different map app then it's time to look at Android.  The quality of Apple's work continues to decline.

drinkin wrote:

 

People and the media scream when Microsoft tries to force it's apps on people but when Apple does it's ok.  I've been evaluating my software vendors mobile apps on the iPhone.  It uses the default map application and it's terrible.  If my vendor can't use a different map app then it's time to look at Android.  The quality of Apple's work continues to decline.

You are not forced to use an iPhone,, so if you don't like it you know what to do, it's a free choice.

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The solution is to use the Google Calendar (app) instead. All addresses that you click will, by default, open Google Maps.

While it is true that one cannot set Google Maps to be the global "default" when tapping on addresses in non-Google iOS apps or when using Siri, I found it is still possible to launch Google Maps from within Apple Maps in iOS 9, though it appears Apple has changed things a bit from how it presented access/pass-through to "other" routing apps in iOS 8.

Once the address has been tapped and the route is brought up in Apple Maps, tap the car/travel time image near the dropped pin, then tap the upload/share icon in the upper right-hand corner, then tap Routing Apps.  Since I have Google Maps, Glympse, and Waze installed on my iPhone, I see options to route with any of those three. Tapping one launches the respective app with the destination plugged in.

It's a few additional taps but at least it saves one from the more laborious effort of copying and pasting addresses into Google Maps manually.  I too am disappointed in Apple for not allowing a user to select their own default apps for mapping, Siri searches, etc.  To date I've not seen a logical explanation as to why it must be that way, so I continue to assume it's a proprietary lock-in manuever for no other reason than trapping consumers in Apple's web, perhaps for the analytics captured and subsequent marketing value of that information. In all fairness, I suspect Google does the same on Android.

In the case of mapping, the extra fumbling around to bring up a route in a more reliable mapping app while operating a motor vehicle introduces safety hazards which could be avoided by Apple cutting out the nonsense and allowing users to open map links directly in the mapping app of their choice.  I'm not advocating operating a smartphone while driving but it does happen every day and will continue to happen.  People will want new/altered driving directions while in motion and many roadways (eg. freeways) do not lend the convenience of pulling over to fidget with all of these excessive tap-throughs to get reliable guidance.

Yes, one will have rear-ended the car in front of one about the time one gets to "Routing Apps". 

They DID remove it because IT WAS there.  It just appear that you were not aware of it.

Sorry, but no, YOU are wrong. System wide, there has never existed the capability to change default programs. Some third party apps offer this within their own settings, but it is not typical.

ciop wrote:

 

They DID remove it because IT WAS there.  It just appear that you were not aware of it.

No, I'm sorry but you're incorrect. People have frequently asked for the feature but it was never an option. As Mr. Trout notes, it is a feature in some apps. Lots of third party mail apps give you the option of choosing which maps app to use.

The feature was there, and some people in this forum are actually even mentioning.  You had to click on the car icon in maps and it would give you the option of choosing google maps which would in turn become the default app.  It is the same feature that other people suggested in this forum with the difference that now is even more cumbersome and has to be repeated every time because apple does not allow it to be used as default. 

But this conversation is pointless, isn't it; because it is not about what one could do in the past.  It is about one can do now, and the question has already been addressed and answered by at least two people in this forum.