Apple Maps has long been accessible on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, but until now, it wasn’t available on the web. Google Maps has held the advantage in this area, but Apple is now making a significant move to compete directly. For the first time, Apple Maps is available on the web, allowing users to access it through a browser.
In a press release, Apple announced that Apple Maps is now live on the web and is compatible with Safari, Chrome, and Edge on Mac and iPad, as well as Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs.
The web version of Apple Maps is currently in Public Beta and offers a limited set of features. It includes directions, business listings, points of interest, curated guides, and more. However, the beta version currently supports only walking and driving directions; biking directions are available only on mobile. Additional features, such as Look Around, are expected to be introduced in the coming months. At this stage, users cannot log in with their Apple ID on the web to access saved places and custom guides.
Apple also noted that all developers, including those using MapKit JS, can now link to Apple Maps on the web. This integration will help users easily obtain driving directions and view detailed information about locations.
You can try Apple Maps on the web by visiting beta.maps.apple.com. Currently, the web version is available only in English and is not supported on Android devices or Safari on iPhones. Apple has stated that support for additional languages, browsers, and platforms will be introduced over time.
It’s exciting to see Apple Maps finally becoming accessible via web browsers. For context, Apple Maps was introduced in 2012, whereas Google Maps first launched on the web in 2005. Apple has invested significantly in adding new features and enhancing the user experience over the years. The company plans to introduce more features to the web version in the coming months. It will be intriguing to see which functionalities from iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS will be incorporated into the web version.
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