How To Open An Apple Maps Location In Google Maps

You’ve just been texted an address, you tap it, andboomApple Maps opens.
But you’re a Google Maps person. You trust those blue lines with your life,
your commute, and your next taco run. So how do you open an Apple Maps location
in Google Maps without manually re-typing the whole address?

The good news: you have options. On iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Windows and Android,
there are simple ways to move a location from Apple Maps to Google Maps using the
Share sheet, copy-and-paste, map link converters, and even automation shortcuts.
In this guide, we’ll walk through practical methods step by step, plus a few power-user
tricks that make switching between Apple Maps and Google Maps feel almost seamless.

Why You’d Want Apple Maps To Hand Off To Google Maps

Apple Maps has improved a lotbetter lane guidance, more detailed city views,
and offline mapsbut Google Maps still wins for many people on
business info, reviews, photos, and public transit data, especially in
some regions outside the U.S. If a friend sends you a location that opens in Apple Maps
by default, you might want to bounce it over to Google Maps so you can:

• Check ratings, reviews, and photos for restaurants, hotels, or shops
• Compare different routes, traffic estimates, and transit options
• Use features like Timeline, Saved Lists, or Street View in Google Maps
• Stay consistent with your navigation app across iPhone, Android, and the web

The catch: iOS doesn’t (in most regions) let you change the system-wide default
maps app to Google Maps. That means addresses in Messages, Safari, and other apps
usually open in Apple Maps first.

The Basics: How Map Links, Addresses, and Coordinates Work

Every map location can be represented in at least one of three ways:

• A plain-text address – e.g., “1 Apple Park Way, Cupertino, CA”
• A map link – e.g., an Apple Maps URL or a Google Maps URL
• Coordinates – latitude and longitude like 37.3349, -122.0090

Both Apple Maps and Google Maps understand normal addresses and coordinates.
So even when the link itself is “from Apple Maps,” you can usually extract either the
address or the coordinates and feed them straight into Google Maps.

Method 1: The Simple Copy-and-Paste Trick (iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Desktop)

This is the “works almost everywhere” approach. It’s not fancy, but it’s fast once
you get used to it.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open the location in Apple Maps (for example, by tapping the address in Messages).
2. Swipe up on the place card so you see the full details (name, address, etc.).
3. Press and hold the address until a menu appears, then tap Copy.
4. Open the Google Maps app.
5. Tap the search bar, press and hold, then tap Paste and hit Search.

In most cases, Google Maps instantly recognizes the address and drops a pin
on the correct location. If you’d rather use coordinates, you can copy the
Apple Maps URL, paste it somewhere temporary (like Notes), and extract the
lat/long values if they’re presentthen paste those into Google Maps.

On a Mac

1. Open Apple Maps and search for your location.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) the pin or the address in the sidebar.
3. Select Copy Address or Copy.
4. Open your browser and go to maps.google.com.
5. Paste the address into the search field and press Enter.

This Mac method works perfectly when you’re planning a trip on your laptop
but want all the rich data from Google’s ecosystem.

On Windows or Android

If someone sends you an Apple Maps link like
https://maps.apple.com/?q=..., open it in a browser. On non-Apple devices,
Apple often redirects or offers to open the same location in a web-based map
(often Google Maps, depending on platform and browser).
If not, you can still copy the address shown and paste it into Google Maps manually.

Method 2: Use the iOS Share Sheet to Jump Straight to Google Maps

If you’d rather skip the copy-and-paste dance, you can often use the iOS
Share sheet to send locations from Apple Maps directly into Google Maps.

Basic Share-to–Google Maps Flow

1. Make sure the Google Maps app is installed on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Open the location in Apple Maps.
3. Swipe up so you see the full place card.
4. Tap the Share button.
5. Look for Google Maps in the app row. If you see it, tap it.
6. Google Maps opens with that same location loaded and ready to navigate.

Whether Google Maps appears in the Share sheet depends on how the app
advertises its sharing extensions. On many devices and iOS versions,
it shows up as an option, making this by far the fastest way to open
an Apple Maps location in Google Maps.

Using Helper Apps Like Opener or Shortcuts

Some users take things further with utility apps and custom automations:

• Opener: A popular utility that intercepts links and opens them in
  your preferred app. You can share an Apple Maps location to Opener and tell it to
  “Open in Google Maps.”
• Shortcuts: iOS Shortcuts enthusiasts have built automations that
  take the current Apple Maps URL from the Share sheet and transform it into a
  Google Maps URL, then open it in the Google Maps app.

These tools are ideal if you find yourself constantly bouncing from Apple Maps
to Google Maps and want a one-tap solution.

Method 3: Use Converter Websites and Apps

If you love gadgets for your gadgets, there are dedicated tools built to convert
one mapping service’s link into another’s.

Web-Based Converters

Several web tools let you paste an Apple Maps link and get back a Google Maps link:

1. Copy the Apple Maps URL from the Share sheet or address bar.
2. Visit an Apple Maps → Google Maps converter site in your browser.
3. Paste the Apple Maps link into the field provided.
4. Click the convert or “GO” button.
5. Open the returned Google Maps link in your browser or Google Maps app.

For example, there are simple “Apple Map Converter” pages built precisely for this
purpose, plus open-source tools shared by developers that transform
Apple Maps links or coordinates into Google Maps URLs and vice versa.

Dedicated Conversion Apps

On iOS, converter apps like MapSwitch / Map Switch can take nearly any map link
and open it in your favorite navigation appGoogle Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, Bing Maps,
and more. You open the link, share it to the app, and choose where you want to open it.

This can be especially handy if you switch between multiple navigation apps depending
on whether you’re driving, walking, or trying to dodge traffic with Waze.

Method 4: Extract Coordinates from Apple Maps and Use Them in Google Maps

When addresses are messyrural locations, trails, or “that random waterfall” your
friend insists is worth the hikecoordinates are your best friend. Both Apple Maps
and Google Maps understand latitude and longitude.

Getting Coordinates from Apple Maps

Apple doesn’t always show coordinates front-and-center, but they’re usually there:

1. Open Apple Maps and find the location.
2. Drop a pin if needed by pressing and holding on the map.
3. Swipe up on the pin’s details.
4. Look for coordinates in the info section (or tap Share and copy the link).

If the coordinates aren’t obviously listed, copy the Apple Maps link into a note,
a converter tool, or a simple script that can extract the latitude and longitude.

Using Coordinates in Google Maps

Once you’ve got coordinates, using them in Google Maps is easy:

• In the Google Maps app (iOS/Android): Paste the coordinates into the search bar and hit search.
• On the web: Go to maps.google.com, paste the coordinates, and press Enter.

Google even documents this behavior in its help materials about searching by
latitude and longitude: paste the coordinates, and it will drop a pin at that
exact spot.

Can You Make Google Maps the Default Instead of Apple Maps?

This is the big question many people have: “Can I just make Google
the default map app and never see Apple Maps again?”

Outside the European Union

On most iPhones globally, there is no system-wide toggle to set Google Maps as
the default maps app. If you tap an address in Messages or many other apps, it will
typically open Apple Maps. Apple’s support forums and user discussions confirm
that, for now, that’s just how iOS behaves.

Some third-party apps let you choose a preferred maps app in their own settings
(e.g., email or calendar apps that ask whether you want directions in Apple Maps or
Google Maps), but that’s per-appnot a system-wide setting.

In the European Union: A New Default Navigation Option

Due to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple is rolling out the ability for iPhone
and iPad users in the European Union to choose a default navigation app,
such as Google Maps or Waze, starting with iOS 18.4. Users can go into settings,
choose the default navigation app, and have links open there instead of Apple Maps.

This change is region-specific (EU only), and the rollout is gradual. If you’re in
Europe and fully up to date on iOS, it’s worth checking your Settings to see if the
navigation default option has appeared.

Extra Tips to Make Switching Between Apple Maps and Google Maps Easier

• Keep both apps installed and updated. New features (like offline maps,
  EV routing, and transit improvements) land regularly.
• Use offline maps in both apps. If you’re traveling somewhere with poor
  reception, download offline areas in Google Maps and Apple Maps beforehand so
  you can comfortably switch between them.
• Pin common locations in both apps. Home, work, the gym, your favorite
  pizza placesave them in both Apple Maps and Google Maps for fast switching.
• Use widgets and shortcuts. Put a Google Maps widget on your Home Screen
  for one-tap access, or set up a Shortcut that asks “Which map do you want?” and
  opens your chosen app with a given address.

Troubleshooting: When Apple Maps Locations Won’t Open in Google Maps

Google Maps Doesn’t Show Up in the Share Sheet

First, make sure Google Maps is installed and updated. Then:

1. Tap the Share button in Apple Maps.
2. Swipe all the way to the right in the app row and tap More.
3. Scroll the list to see if Google Maps is available and toggle it on or move it higher.

If it still doesn’t appear, you can fall back to copy-and-paste or use a conversion app.

The Location Looks Wrong in Google Maps

Sometimes, especially with rural addresses or vague landmarks, the address text
doesn’t map cleanly between services. In that case:

• Try using coordinates instead of the address.
• Zoom and drag the map to fine-tune the pin placement.
• Check Street View or satellite mode to confirm you’re in the right spot.

Apple Maps Links Behave Differently on Different Devices

Remember that Apple Maps links are “smart” in the sense that they may open
Apple Maps on iOS/macOS but redirect to Google Maps or a web map on other devices.
If you see inconsistent behavior, it’s usually because the device, OS, or browser
handles maps.apple.com links differently.

Real-World Experiences: Living in Both Apple Maps and Google Maps

Theory is nice, but in practice you’re usually just trying not to miss your exit.
Here are a few real-world scenarios that show how opening Apple Maps locations in
Google Maps plays out day to day.

Scenario 1: Group Chat Chaos

Picture this: your friends are arguing in a group chat about which taco place is
“actually legit.” Someone drops an address by just typing it. On your iPhone, that
turns into a tappable link that opens in Apple Maps. You look at the place and it
seems fine, but you want Google’s review numbers and photos before you commit your
stomach to this adventure.

You swipe up the place card in Apple Maps, long-press the address, tap Copy,
then flip over to Google Maps and paste it. Immediately you see ratings, review count,
photos of overflowing nachos, and even a quick view of peak busy hours. In under
10 seconds, you’ve gone from “Some address someone typed” to “This place has 4.6 stars
and a crowd at 7 p.m., so maybe we book earlier.” That’s the real value of quickly
opening Apple Maps locations in Google Maps.

Scenario 2: Planning a Road Trip

When you’re planning a road trip on a Mac, Apple Maps is surprisingly pleasant:
the interface is clean, the 3D views are pretty, and it syncs nicely with your iPhone.
But maybe you’re the designated navigator and you want Google Maps’ traffic data,
real-time reports, and familiarity once you’re on the road.

The trick many people use is to do the “pretty planning” in Apple Maps, then
copy key stopshotels, scenic viewpoints, food stopsinto a custom list in Google Maps.
For each pin in Apple Maps, you copy the address, paste into maps.google.com,
and then hit Save in Google Maps (or add it to a list like “Road Trip July”).
When it’s go time, you open the Google Maps app on your phone, pull up your saved list,
and you’ve got a polished, battle-tested navigation setup built from Apple Maps scouting.

Scenario 3: Traveling Internationally with Offline Maps

Imagine you’re traveling abroad. You’ve downloaded offline maps in both Apple Maps
and Google Maps because you don’t fully trust hotel Wi-Fi (fair). Your Airbnb host
sends you a dropped pin that opens in Apple Maps. That’s nice, but you want to also
store it in Google Maps for offline navigation and for future trips.

You open the pin in Apple Maps while on Wi-Fi, copy the address or coordinates, and
then paste them into Google Maps. You save that location in a list like “Trip – Rome.”
Now you’ve got it in both appsand thanks to offline maps, you can navigate with
whichever one is behaving better on any given day. If Apple Maps has the clearer
walking directions in a particular neighborhood, use that. If Google Maps has better
transit info, switch over. By learning how to open Apple Maps locations in Google Maps,
you’re not locking yourself into one ecosystemyou’re giving yourself the freedom to
use whichever app is best in the moment.

Scenario 4: Power Users and Automation

Power users often go even further by building Shortcuts or using converter apps
that almost completely hide the Apple Maps step. For example, you can create a
Shortcut called “Open in Google Maps” that appears in the Share sheet. Any time
Apple Maps opens from a random link, you tap Share → Open in Google Maps,
and the Shortcut does the heavy lifting: grabs the URL, converts it, and opens Google Maps.

After a week or two of using setups like this, you stop thinking about which app
is “default” and just think, “Tap, tap, go.” The goal isn’t to defeat Apple Maps
or pledge eternal loyalty to Google Mapsit’s to make locations portable so you
always have the information, features, and interface you prefer.

Conclusion

Opening an Apple Maps location in Google Maps isn’t hard once you know the tricks.
You can copy and paste addresses or coordinates, use the Share sheet to hand off
directly, rely on converter apps and websites, or even build automations that do
the work for you. In some regions (like the EU), the situation is improving further
with system-level defaults for navigation appsbut even if you don’t have that
yet, you’re far from stuck.

Learn one or two of these methods, add a sprinkle of automation if you’re feeling
fancy, and you’ll be able to move locations from Apple Maps to Google Maps so
quickly that your friends will think your phone has superpowers. (It doesn’t.
You just read the guide.)