How to Use Look Around in Apple Maps - MacRumors
Skip to Content

How to Use Look Around in Apple Maps

by

apple maps icon ios 13With iOS 13, Apple introduced several additional features to its Maps app, one of which is called Look Around. This gives you a street-level view of what's around your current location or the location you search for on the map.

If you've ever used Google Street View, you already have a good idea of how Look Around works, but Apple's equivalent feature includes a couple of functions that differentiate it from Google Maps.

Launch the Apple Maps app on your iPhone or iPad, and then check to see if there's a binoculars icon on the map in your exact location. (Tap the location arrow in the floating menu of options if another area of the map is showing that's different to where you're at).

applemapsios13binoculars
If you see a pair of binoculars on the map, simply tap them to open a street-level view in a card overlay at the top of the screen. You can also tap the two arrows pointing away from each other in the top left corner of the card to take the street-level view fullscreen.

Note that you should also see the binoculars icon available to tap in the floating menu when checking the standard overhead map in a supported location.

If Look Around isn't yet supported in your current location, you can still search for specific locations supported by Look Around. For example, try searching for San Francisco and you'll see a Look Around icon in the results overlay.

lookaroundoptionplaceios13
Once you're in Look Around mode, tap the view to move through the area. You can also tap a spot further in the distance and the view will smoothly zoom towards the location.

To help orient you in Look Around mode, points of interest such as bars, restaurants, parks and the like are identified by floating icons at street level. Note however that you can only zoom into areas that can be accessed by vehicles, because the Look Around data is captured by cars fitted with 360-degree cameras.

applemapsstreetview
Currently, Look Around in Maps is limited to areas in California, Nevada, and Hawaii, but Apple plans to expand availability in 2019 and beyond.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Popular Stories

Ads Are Coming to Apple Maps Feature

Ads Aren't in the Apple Maps App Yet, But They're Coming Soon

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 26.5 yesterday with a new Suggested Places feature in the Apple Maps app, which is a precursor to the ads that Apple plans to start showing later this year. There was some confusion over whether ads are live, but as of now, the Apple Maps app still doesn't have ads. Apple did start laying the groundwork for ads in iOS 26.5 and tested a splash screen, but no ads appeared...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Tuesday May 26, 2026 6:32 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Just Expanded iPhone Driver's License Feature to Arkansas

Wednesday May 27, 2026 9:41 am PDT 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. Starting today, the feature is available in Arkansas, which is the 14th state to offer it. However, it may take some time to roll out to all users. To...