Apple Maps Look Around Guide 2026
Apple Maps Look Around is Apple's Street View. Higher quality than Google's where it works. Here's the 2026 guide.
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⚡ Apple Maps Hardware
Best devices.
Best Maps device
Larger Look Around
Audio guidance
Wrist Maps
Cost Breakdown — All Options
| Where | Cost | Wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 100+ cities globally | Free | Major metros |
| Image quality | Better than Street View | Higher resolution | Look Around wins |
| Updated frequency | Every 6-12 months | Apple's vehicles | More frequent |
| Indoor maps | Apple Maps wins | Airports, malls | Apple wins |
| 3D city maps | Major metros | Detailed buildings | Beautiful |
What Is Look Around
Apple's photographic 3D street view. Tap binocular icon in Maps → photographic view of street.
Pan + zoom + walk through streets remotely.
How to Use
- Open Maps app
- Search location
- If Look Around available, binocular icon appears
- Tap binocular icon → 3D photographic view
- Drag to look around, tap arrows to walk forward
Coverage (2026)
- USA: most major cities + many smaller
- UK: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, etc
- EU: Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, etc
- Asia: Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul
- Australia: Sydney, Melbourne
- Canada: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal
Coverage growing. Check binocular icon to verify.
Quality vs Google Street View
- Look Around: Higher resolution, smoother panning, professionally captured
- Google Street View: Wider coverage globally, often older imagery
Look Around superior IN supported areas. Google superior in coverage.
Use Cases
- Trip planning: Walk through hotel area before booking
- Real estate: Explore neighborhoods remotely
- Restaurant scouting: See entrance, parking before visiting
- Lost finding: Look up landmark to confirm location
3D City Maps (Beautiful)
Major Apple Maps cities have 3D buildings.
Coverage: NYC, SF, LA, London, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore + 50 others.
Tilt iPad/iPhone to see depth. Beautiful + functional.
Walking Directions with AR
iPhone 12+. Apple Maps walking directions with AR mode.
Point camera at street → arrows overlay on real-world view.
Best for: unfamiliar cities, complex intersections.
Indoor Maps
Apple Maps better at indoor maps for: airports, large malls, sports stadiums, transit stations.
Heathrow, JFK, Madison Square Garden, Westfield Mall — detailed indoor floor maps.
Public Transit
NYC, London, Paris, Tokyo + many more cities have transit integration.
Apple Wallet + transit card support.
Privacy
Apple Maps doesn't tie searches to Apple ID. No history (in standard Maps).
Google Maps: every search tied to Google account.
Look Around vs Google Earth
Different tools:
- Look Around: Photographic street level walking
- Google Earth: Aerial 3D, longer history
Use both for full picture.
Verdict
Look Around is best photographic exploration in major cities.
For trip planning, real estate research, urban exploration — Look Around + 3D city maps make Apple Maps surprisingly powerful.
Mail-In Repair Service
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