'I'll just use Google Maps': Apple Maps users rebel against new ads that you can't turn off, even with an iCloud subscription

Date:
Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:45:10 +0000

Description:
After being announced earlier this year, adverts are now starting to appear
in Apple Maps for users in the US and Canada.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Apple Maps is now showing ads for users in the US and Canada Currently, ads appear as the top result in search and Suggested Places Users are unsurprisingly unhappy about this change, with some saying they'll switch to Google Maps Weve known they were coming for a while , but now ads have started appearing in Apple Maps for users in the US and Canada, meaning that not every result you see on the search screen will be organically placed.

As confirmed by Apple to 9to5Mac , Apple Maps is now starting to show ads in Suggested Places on the search screen before you enter a search query, and in the search results. In both cases youll at most see one ad, and this will be at the top of that section, with a blue ad label marking it out. So at least they should be easy to ignore and scroll past. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Still, while this might benefit businesses, its undeniably a downgrade for Apple Maps users, and theres no way to opt out of it, even if youre paying
for Apple services like iCloud + or Apple One. An unpopular change (Image credit: Apple) Unsurprisingly, this hasnt been met with much approval from Apple fans, with users on Reddit saying things like now with ads, there's absolutely no reason to use Apple Maps, I'll just use Google Maps , this is a bad move, and the main reason I used Apple Maps was because of no ads. You
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Indeed the consensus at least among initial online reactions seems to be that Google Maps is better in most ways, with Apple Maps previously only
being preferable due to its lack of ads. So without that differentiation,
many users may jump ship for Googles service.

One Reddit user summed it up with: Google Maps is 100% more accurate and functional than Apple Maps. The only benefit Apple Maps had was that it
didn't have ads so now that they've removed that, there's literally no reason to have this icon on your home screen anymore. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

That said, a few replies point out advantages that Apple Maps may still have, such as a perception at least of better privacy and it being less of a drain on your phones battery. So perhaps there could still be reasons to stick with Apple.

And of course, online complaints wont necessarily mean Apple Maps will lose lots of users. Chances are, most people will stick with what they know. But either way, this is definitely a bad change hopefully it wont be a slippery slope to more intrusive ads. Today's best iPhone deals Contract Deals Sim
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/ill-just-use-google-maps-apple-maps-us ers-rebel-against-new-ads-that-you-cant-turn-off-even-with-an-icloud-subscript ion


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