Google Maps for iOS Gains Quick-Access Traffic, Transit, and Local Info Tabs - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Google Maps for iOS Gains Quick-Access Traffic, Transit, and Local Info Tabs

by

Google has updated its iOS Maps app with three new quick-access options that Android users have had access to for over a year now. The new tabs sit across the bottom of the home screen and are called Explore, Driving, and Transit.

Screen Shot 3 1

Swiping up on the shortcuts reveals further details. For example, in Explore users can find a description of the local area, dining choices, and options to search for gas stations, ATMs, convenience stores, drug stores, and other amenities.

The driving tab provides a traffic summary for the area, including information on possible delays that might add time onto a commute. This tab will also include current ETAs for the user's home and work addresses if they are saved in the app's settings. Finally, the transit tab offers estimated bus and train schedules at stations in the vicinity.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

Aluminum213 Avatar
107 months ago
Imagine a world in which Apple allowed us to use Google Maps as a default map service on iOS. Instead of the harsh reality of being stuck with trash like Siri and Apple Maps as being the ones that are baked into the iOS system.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ILikeAllOS Avatar
107 months ago
Imagine a world in which Apple allowed us to use Google Maps as a default map service on iOS. Instead of the harsh reality of being stuck with trash like Siri and Apple Maps as being the ones that are baked into the iOS system.
Imagine a world in which you have to wait a year for a company to update that 3rd party maps app and then you'll realize why Apple has their own Maps app baked into the iOS system.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
107 months ago
Imagine a world in which you have to wait a year for a company to update that 3rd party maps app and then you'll realize why Apple has their own Maps app baked into the iOS system.
That has nothing to do with the comment you responded too though. I guess you had to twist the argument because there is no good answer to the actual ask which is letting users choose the default, be it Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze or whatever.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
107 months ago
Imagine a world in which you have to wait a year for a company to update that 3rd party maps app and then you'll realize why Apple has their own Maps app baked into the iOS system.
Imagine a world where one realized that default app choice has nothing to do with whether or not Apple has their own Maps app baked into iOS.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
107 months ago
Apple is being stretched too thin. They have too many products and services now, and some of them are suffering... like Maps and Siri.

In 20 years, at this rate, theyll be like Samsung in the sense they'll probably have fridges and appliances in addition to consumer electronics.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdelvecchio Avatar
107 months ago
Imagine a world in which Apple allowed us to use Google Maps as a default map service on iOS. Instead of the harsh reality of being stuck with trash like Siri and Apple Maps as being the ones that are baked into the iOS system.
give me a break. neither siri nor Maps are trash. ive been using them exclusively for years and somehow have managed to thrive
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

google gemini

Google Launches Gemini Import Tool for Switching From ChatGPT, Claude, and Other AI Apps

Thursday March 26, 2026 3:58 pm PDT by
Google is adding a new memory import feature to Gemini, making it easier for customers to switch to Gemini AI from another AI service. Users can import memories, context, and chat history from other AI apps. Importing memory will provide Gemini with an understanding of a user's preferences, relationships, and personal context. Google says that Gemini will understand the same key facts that...
google translate headphones ios 2x

Google Translate iOS App Gets Real-Time Headphone Translation

Thursday March 26, 2026 4:47 pm PDT by
Google Translate's Live Translate with headphones feature is now available on iPhone, giving iOS users a way to translate speech in real-time through any pair of wireless headphones. Launched on Android late last year in beta, the feature now supports more than 70 languages, and setup is minimal – open the Google Translate app with Bluetooth headphones connected to your iPhone, tap Live...
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

Apple Brings On Google Shopping VP to Lead AI Marketing Push

Friday March 27, 2026 11:01 am PDT by
Apple has hired former Google VP Lilian Rincon as its vice president of product marketing for artificial intelligence, reports Axios. Before joining Apple, Rincon was vice president of product for Google Shopping. At Apple, Rincon will be in charge of product marketing and product management for all of Apple's AI platforms, reporting to Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak. Rincon led the...