Google today announced new updates that are coming to the Google Maps app designed for the iPhone. The most notable new feature is dark mode, which Google Maps app users have long been wanting. Dark mode is an alternative to light mode and allows for a darker user interface to match other dark mode apps on iOS devices.
According to Google, dark mode is going to be rolling out "in the coming weeks," and once available to you, it can be enabled in the Settings section of Google Maps. Google says that dark mode in Google Maps will save battery and "give eyes a break."
Apple first introduced the Dark Mode feature with iOS 13, but it has taken Google some time to bring support to its apps. Google earlier this year began rolling out a true dark mode feature to Android users, and the iOS version of dark mode for Google Maps looks similar to the Android version.
Along with dark mode, Google today announced the launch of new Messages integration. With this feature, Google Maps users can share their real-time location with friends in an iMessage using the Google Maps button in the Messages app. Location is shared for one hour by default, but there is an option to extend access by up to three days or stop access at any time.
Google's blog post also highlights the recently introduced widgets feature, which allows iPhone users to add a Google Maps widget to the Home Screen or the Today View. Widgets can be used to check traffic conditions or find nearby places.
The Google Maps app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. 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....
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Wednesday February 4, 2026 7:44 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices.
Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024:
iPhone 16: $799
iPhone 16 Plus: $899
iPhone 16 Pro:...
Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:29 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026.
The new series:
Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026
Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026
Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026
Cape Fear — June 5, 2026
Lucky — July 15, 2026
The new films:
Eternity — ...
Why is Google always the last to adopt anything on the iOS platform? Out of spite or do they really just have two or three people working on this who don't have the time to implement these things?
I haven’t used Google Maps in years! Apple Maps got way better, occasionally I’d run into a problem, try it on Google Maps and it was EXACTLY the same. Finally let go of Google altogether, haven’t looked back.
I’d like to install Google Maps again, but even after iOS 14.5 and the privacy oriented features, like asking not to track me, I still wonder if Google Maps, even without logging in, is a safe option. In the past, Google syncronized all my activity from Safari, GMaps and YouTube, they did know it was me all the time. And I just want to use GMaps anonymously, without Google tracking me across all their apps and websites.
Maps and YouTube are from the same developer which means they're allowed to setup shared storage on your device and in iCloud, and google surely uses that to store a unique identifier. So there's nothing you can do to stop them being linked.
For safari, they do that by setting a cookie and comparing it with your IP address. Once you use a google service in safari from a few different IP addresses, and also use maps or youtube in those locations, they correlate the data and uniquely identify you from then on. Safari will block this technique on iOS 15 if iCloud Private Relay is enabled.
I’d like to install Google Maps again, but even after iOS 14.5 and the privacy oriented features, like asking not to track me, I still wonder if Google Maps, even without logging in, is a safe option. In the past, Google syncronized all my activity from Safari, GMaps and YouTube, they did know it was me all the time. And I just want to use GMaps anonymously, without Google tracking me across all their apps and websites.
