Apple to Continue Using Google Maps in iOS 5? - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple to Continue Using Google Maps in iOS 5?

iphone 4 maps compass
Close on the heels of claims of revamped notifications and widgets in iOS 5, 9to5Google now reports that Apple will continue relying on Google's mapping service for iOS 5, noting that any efforts to sever geolocation ties with Google by moving things entirely in-house have not yet resulted in a finished product.

Now, sources have told 9to5Google that although Apple is working to improve the iOS Maps application, iOS 5 will not bring an Apple developed maps service and Google Maps is still in. Besides Apple's purchase of both Placebase and Poly9, some speculated that Apple is building their own maps service to either compete with Google or step away from their input into iOS.

Apple has given several indications that it is looking to make major improvements to the Maps application included in iOS and also revealed that it is building a crowd-sourced traffic database from iOS devices with an eye to rolling out a traffic service presumably linked to a turn-by-turn GPS mapping offering.

Tag: 9to5Mac
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces. The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...
imac video apple feature

Apple Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever This Year

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:03 pm PDT by
Apple this year acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019. Q.ai...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Twelve Changes Coming to Apple's Next Flagship

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:43 am PDT by
We're less than two months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a dramatic change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year,...

Top Rated Comments

198 months ago
That's a pity. This app hasn't seen much update action for a while....

And Apple only has itself to blame. They are the one creating Google Maps on iPhone. Hopefully there will be a revision on iOS 5. Google Maps on Android is simply awesome.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
198 months ago
The article should be more clear about the fact that Apple has always made the map app on the iPhone. This story is about where the map data will be coming from. Instead of from Google it may eventually come from an Apple-run service
Really ?
Do you know how much effort Google is putting into Google Maps, worldwide, to upgrade it ? All the business places, streetview, mymaps editor, etc.

It's almost impossible for Apple to reach the level of Google Maps.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
198 months ago
What's wrong with Google Maps? I think it's perfect, I just wish it had Turn By Turn GPS.

The data itself is good, but have a look at the Android version of the client. The iPhone version now looks extremely feature-poor in comparison.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
198 months ago
All of the Apple default apps like stocks, weather, maps, and Youtube pretty much suck. If Apple were smart they'd just not include the apps on the phone but have them available in the app store so the applications can be updated without relying on waiting for the OS to be updated.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
baryon Avatar
198 months ago
What's wrong with Google Maps? I think it's perfect, I just wish it had Turn By Turn GPS.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Small White Car Avatar
198 months ago
The article should be more clear about the fact that Apple has always made the map app on the iPhone. This story is about where the map data will be coming from. Instead of from Google it may eventually come from an Apple-run service.

The distinction is important because it means that improvements to the maps app in iOS 5 have nothing to do with this rumor. They may update it or they may not but that doesn't depend on where they get the data from.

I, for one, sure hope the app gets some new features this year even if it's not their super-big overhaul project.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)