How to Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad

Download Article

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: February 26, 2018 Tested

Download Article

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

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-1.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It’s a map icon with a “G” and red pin, typically found on one of the home screens.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-2.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It’s the solid black circle inside a larger circle with crosshairs. It’s near the bottom-right corner of the map.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-3.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It’s above the location button, and has one arrow tip and one white.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-4.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Setting the Top of the Map to North

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-5.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

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.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-6.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It’s at the top-left corner of the screen.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-7.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It’s near the middle of the menu.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-8.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-9.jpg\/aid9694484-v4-728px-Find-North-on-Google-Maps-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Slide the “Keep map north up” switch to

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/2\/28\/Android7switchon.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/28\/Android7switchon.png\/35px-Android7switchon.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":394,"bigWidth":35,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

. As long as this switch is on/blue, the top of the map will always be north.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Log in

How to Find North on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad

Steps

Using the Compass

Setting the Top of the Map to North

Expert Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories