Google Maps Santa Tracker Goes Live on iOS - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Google Maps Santa Tracker Goes Live on iOS

by

Google's Santa Tracker finally went live today, allowing anyone with Google Maps installed on an iOS device to keep up with Santa's mythical journey across the world in real time.

Users can type 'track santa' into the Google Maps search field to view the area in which Santa can be currently found dispensing gifts. Tapping the blue Santa icon in the bottom right of the screen offers up more details about the region, including a live video feed and an arrival time for Santa's next stop as well as the user's current location.

santa-tracker

We've received this special preview from one of Santa's many developer elves, who are hard at work in the North Pole helping Santa prepare for his big day. Santa's dashboard – featuring the latest and greatest in Google Maps technology and sleigh engineering – will allow you to follow his progress around the world, and also learn a little about some of his stops along the way.

Further down the screen are options to play a selection of festive mini games, watch videos of Santa going about his business, and access a portal to Santa's village.

Friendly elves have invited younger Google Maps users to explore the village, where they can learn about holiday traditions around the world, play games like Present Bounce and Penguin Dash, visit North Pole airport, code a snowflake, and take a Santa selfie, as well as other fun activities.

santa-tracker-2
Google's Santa Tracker continues a 12-year tradition for the company, allowing excited children and parents to keep up with the jolly gift-giver's travels throughout December 24.

As of writing, Santa was last seen in Urup, in the Kuril Islands, with his next scheduled stop being Onekotan.

Top Rated Comments

122 months ago
Santa's mythical journey...

Wait, WHAT!!!??? :eek:
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
122 months ago
Can you imagine if Santa relied on Apple Maps? Sorry kids Santa isn't making it as apple maps told him to drive into the ocean.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TMRJIJ Avatar
122 months ago
Wait, WHAT!!!??? :eek:
THEY'RE LYING!!! I SAW HIM AT THE MALL YESTERDAY!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
122 months ago
See MR folks, even Santa's data isn't safe from Google....
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canadianreader Avatar
122 months ago
Merry Christmas to everyone!!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chr1s60 Avatar
122 months ago
"You serious, Clark?"
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

MacBook Pro Low Angle Wide Lens

Apple to Launch 'MacBook Ultra' With These Six New Features

Friday April 24, 2026 10:32 am PDT by
While the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro were just updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last month, bigger changes are reportedly around the corner. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the higher-end MacBook Pro models will be receiving a major redesign by early 2027, and he said that Apple might use "MacBook Ultra" branding for them. If so, the MacBook Ultra would likely be a...
Apple TV Thumb 3

Here's What's Coming in the 2026 Apple TV

Thursday April 23, 2026 12:08 pm PDT by
There are a lot of folks waiting for a new version of the Apple TV because the set-top box hasn't been updated since 2022. There is an update coming this year, but people will need to wait a bit longer because Apple is holding the next Apple TV until the new version of Siri comes out this fall. Design Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing in 2026. The next...
Apple Maps General

Tim Cook Calls Apple Maps Launch His 'First Really Big Mistake' as CEO

Thursday April 23, 2026 5:29 am PDT by
Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook has named the botched 2012 launch of Apple Maps as his "first really big mistake" in the role, according to a Bloomberg report covering the town hall meeting that was held Tuesday with his recently announced successor, John Ternus. The Maps app launched with mislabeled landmarks, faulty directions, and a user experience that fell well short of Google Maps at the...