Although, iPhone comes with its own built-in native Apple Maps App, many users still prefer using Google Maps due to its offline navigation and other features.
While the problem of Google Maps not working on iPhone has mostly been reported following an iOS or Google Maps update, it can also occur at any other time, due to various other reasons.
What to Do If Google Maps is Not Working on iPhone?
In general, users have reported about Google Maps running slow, not finding the current location correctly, not showing driving directions and the problem of Google Maps crashing on iPhone.
You should be able to fix all these problems in Google Maps by following the steps below on your iPhone.
1. Restart iPhone
If you find Google Maps being slow, not opening or crashing, reboot your device and try to use Google Maps again.
Shut Down iPhone by going to Settings > General > Shut Down. After 30 seconds, restart iPhone and check if Google Maps is now working properly.
2. Enable Location Services
Google Maps won’t be able to provide you with directions, if the Location Services feature has been disabled on your device.
1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. On Location Services screen, move the slider next to Location Services to ON position.
3. Allow Google Maps to Access Your Location
Another requirement to use Google Maps on your iPhone is to provide the App with access to your location information.
1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. On the Location Services screen, scroll down and tap on Google Maps.
3. On the next screen, select Always or While Using the App option.
4. Enable Background App Refresh for Google Maps
If you want to get Live Traffic Updates, allowing Google Maps to refresh its data in the background can improve its accuracy and performance.
1. Open Settings > scroll down and tap on Google Maps.
2. On the next screen, move the slider next to Background App Refresh to ON position.
Note: If Background App Refresh option is grayed out, your device is in Low Power Mode.
5. Update Google Maps
1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Once you are in the App store, tap on the Profile icon located at top-right corner.
3. On the next screen, tap on the Update option located next to Google Maps (if available).
6. Check Google Maps Server Status
It is possible that Google Maps is experiencing a service outage. To confirm, go Google Maps Platform and make sure that Google’s Map service is working properly.
7. Reset Location and Privacy
1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
2. On the pop-up, select Reset Location & Privacy option.
3. If prompted, enter your Lock Screen Passcode > On the confirmation pop-up, select the Reset option to confirm.
8. Enable Use This iPhone as My Location
Sometimes, the problem is due to Google Maps App being linked to another device (iPad or another iPhone).
1. Open Settings > tap on your Apple ID Name.
2. On the next screen, scroll down and tap on Find MY.
3. On the next screen, tap on Use This iPhone as My Location option.
This fix is known to help if the Google Maps App on your iPhone is linked to another Apple ID or device.
9. Uninstall & Reinstall Google Maps
If above methods did not help, the problem might be due to Google Maps App being corrupted or damaged.
1. Long press (Tap and Hold) on Google Maps App and select Remove App option.
2. On the confirmation pop-up, select the Delete option to confirm.
After uninstalling Google Maps, restart iPhone and Reinstall Google Maps on your device from the App Store.