Apple Maps is now accessible through web browsers via a beta version that launched on Wednesday afternoon. This new web-based platform allows users to obtain driving and walking directions, as well as view ratings and reviews, from any desktop or mobile browser.
What Features Are Available on the Web Version?
Accessible at beta.maps.apple.com, the web version of Apple Maps provides nearly all the functionalities of the iOS app. Users can explore guides, order food, navigate cities, and find detailed business information. Apple has announced plans to introduce additional features, such as the Look Around tool, in the coming months.
Is Apple Maps Compatible with All Browsers and Languages?
Currently, the web-based Apple Maps is available only in English and works with Safari and Chrome on Mac and iPad, and Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs. Apple intends to expand support to more languages, browsers, and platforms in the future. Developers using Apple’s MapKit JS tool can now link their websites to Apple Maps on the web.
Since its iPhone launch in 2012, Apple Maps has continuously evolved, adding features like detailed city maps, multi-stop routing, cycling directions, EV routing, and offline navigation.
How Does the Web Launch Impact Apple Maps’ Competition?
Previously, developers had created web versions of Apple Maps using the API for sites like DuckDuckGo. The official web availability marks a significant expansion, potentially boosting its competitiveness against Google Maps, which has long been accessible via web browsers.
However, Apple Maps is not without competition. The Overture Maps Foundation, supported by Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, released its first public mapping dataset on Wednesday, offering developers free access to mapping information for their applications.
