How to Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad

This wikiHow teaches you how to use Google Maps on your iPhone or iPad to figure out which way is north.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using the Compass

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    1
    Open Google Maps on your iPhone or iPad. It’s a map icon with a “G” and red pin, typically found on one of the home screens.
  2. Image titled Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad Step 2
    2
    Tap the location button. It’s the solid black circle inside a larger circle with crosshairs. It’s near the bottom-right corner of the map.
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  3. Image titled Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad Step 3
    3
    Tap the compass icon. It’s above the location button, and has one arrow tip and one white.
  4. Image titled Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad Step 4
    4
    Find the “N” on the compass. The map will reposition so that the red arrow of the compass is facing north. You’ll know it’s pointing north because of the “N.”
    • The compass disappears quickly, so you may need to tap the location button and then the compass again to view the “N” and arrow.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Setting the Top of the Map to North

  1. Image titled Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad Step 5
    1
    Open Google Maps on your iPhone or iPad. It’s a map icon with a “G” and red pin, typically found on one of the home screens. Use this method to make sure the top of the map always indicates which way is north.
  2. Image titled Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad Step 6
    2
    Tap ≡. It’s at the top-left corner of the screen.
  3. Image titled Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad Step 7
    3
    Tap Settings. It’s near the middle of the menu.
  4. Image titled Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad Step 8
    4
    Scroll down and tap Navigation settings.
  5. Image titled Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad Step 9
    5
    Slide the “Keep map north up” switch to
    Android 7 Switch On
    .     As long as this switch is on/blue, the top of the map will always be north.
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About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 21,913 times.
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Co-authors: 1
Updated: February 26, 2018
Views: 21,913
Categories: Google Maps
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