Google Maps for iOS Receives First Update Since Launch with Google Contacts Integration, Local Business Search

Google today updated its Google Maps for iOS to version 1.1, marking the first update since the company launched its standalone app in mid-December after Apple replaced Google with its own default mapping app in iOS 6.

The new update brings a few enhancements to Google Maps, including integration with Google Contacts addresses and easier searching of local businesses by category.

What's New in Version 1.1

- Search your Google Contacts; sign in to have your saved addresses show up when you search for friends and family by name.
- Quickly search for local places by selecting popular categories such as restaurants, bars, cafes, gas stations, etc.
- Choose between Kilometers or Miles for your preferred distance units.
- Note that some features may not be available in all countries.

google_maps_businesses_contacts
Google Maps is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

(Thanks, Arthur!)

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...

Top Rated Comments

gmanist1000 Avatar
166 months ago
Search your Google Contacts... not the contacts stored on my phone? Ugh. I guess I should transfer them all over to Google Contacts then...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Small White Car Avatar
166 months ago
I have Google Maps but it has definitely been put into 2nd place for me. I use it when Apple Maps can't find something (which is still a problem, yes). But when Apple's Maps find what I want I vastly prefer the actual software itself to Google's.


Since I don't think I've ever seen Apple update a built in app through a App store update, this is an advantage for Google. It seems that Apple has to update the entire OS in order to do a maps upgrade. People are more willing to just update a app than they are their entire OS. Even though Apple does have very high adoption rates of its new OS releases.
While I do agree with you in general, it should be pointed out that Apple's recently been putting out OS updates like they're going out of style. So perhaps this isn't as big of a problem as we both thought.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iGrip Avatar
166 months ago
Thanks, Google!

The entire Apple community should come together to thank Google for this.

A different sort of company would do everything they could to kill the iPhone. But instead, Google helps out the entire Apple community by releasing great new software for Apple's platform.

Hey - do you see Nokia writing great software that makes iOS and iPhones more valuable? How about RIM?

But Google has always been there for Apple. They were the ones that made the iPhone a great mapping tool in the first place. And now they continue on.

Thanks, Google!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ilp Avatar
166 months ago
Still no search in local contacts.

Still no remembering of my recent searches. This one completely baffles me. I stopped using Google Maps because of this. Why do I have to re-enter an address I just entered 5 minutes ago? Ridiculous.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mjmar Avatar
166 months ago
iPad version plz
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
silvetti Avatar
166 months ago
The entire Apple community should come together to thank Google for this.

A different sort of company would do everything they could to kill the iPhone. But instead, Google helps out the entire Apple community by releasing great new software for Apple's platform.

Hey - do you see Nokia writing great software that makes iOS and iPhones more valuable? How about RIM?

But Google has always been there for Apple. They were the ones that made the iPhone a great mapping tool in the first place. And now they continue on.

Thanks, Google!

Thank google ?

Do you have any ideia how many millions or billions... Google makes of metrics from people that use their software on iPhones/iPads ?

Google is not doing anyone a favor... it's business...
You should stop thinking either company makes favors to others...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)