Apple Maps Beta is Now Available on the Web

Apple, this week, announced the launch of the web version of Apple Maps, albeit in a public beta form. Per the July 24 announcement, the beta web version can be accessed by any user on a desktop or mobile browser, regardless of the operating system.

According to Apple, the web interface of Apple Maps closely resembles its iOS app and includes features such as directions, guides, reviews, businesses, and more.

“Now, users can get driving and walking directions; find great places and useful information including photos, hours, ratings, and reviews; take actions like ordering food directly from the Maps place card; and browse curated Guides to discover places to eat, shop, and explore in cities around the world,” the press release stated.

In the press release, Apple stated that new features, including its Look Around, which offers 360-degree panoramic views of certain locations, will be available in the coming months.

Additionally, developers using MapKit JS tool can also link to Maps on the web, enabling their users to access driving directions, detailed place information, and more.

Accessible through the beta.maps.apple.com site, the web-based version of Apple Maps is currently available only in English. It works on Safari and Chrome for Mac and iPad, as well as Edge and Chrome for Windows PCs.

Apple announced that support for additional languages, browsers, and platforms will be rolled out in the future.

Coming more than a decade after its initial release in 2012, Apple’s launch of Maps on the web may signal a direct challenge to Google in this space, while also addressing the long-standing user request for browser and cross-device access. Although some websites, such as DuckDuckGo, have utilized MapKit JS to integrate Apple Maps web view into their search results since 2019, this move represents a significant step in expanding Apple Maps’ accessibility.