Hello, Google – Route Around Apple Maps Using Transit Option On Your iPhone [iOS Tips]

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googlemapsTransit

Personally, I’ve never had a problem with Apple Maps in its current iOS 6 incarnation, but many people have. Now that Google Maps is out for iOS, though, there’s an easy way to get around using Apple Maps, using the transit option.

Here’s how.

Since Apple Maps doesn’t have a public transit option, the app sends you to a special App Store page that lets you use any routing or transit app that you have on your iPhone, including Google Maps. It also suggests — helpfully — some other apps that you might want to purchase or download. Thanks, App Store!

The easy way to invoke the transit option is with Siri. Simply tap and hold your Home button down, and say something like, “Get me directions to George Lincoln High School using Transit.” If you have that address in your contacts list, Siri will open up the App Store, show you the special page, and — if you have Google maps installed — let you tap on the Route button.

Once you do, your iPhone will switch to Google Maps, route you to your destination, and you’re good to go.

Now, if you don’t have Siri, you can actually do your search in Apple Maps. Launch the Maps app and tap into the search field. Enter your destination there, and then tap on the little bus icon at the top of the screen, then hit the Route button. You’ll go to the same special App Store page with the available installed apps, like Google Maps, at the top. Tap Route, and you’ll switch to Google Maps, or whichever transit app you choose.

It’s completely possible that Apple will close this loophole if it ever included transit data in Maps, but for now, this is a great way to get around using the built-in iOS 6 Maps app.

Via: OS X Daily

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