Apple Maps will let users leave reviews and photos in latest iOS 14 beta

Apple Maps may replace Yelp and other third-party solutions with an in-house user review system when iOS 14 releases this fall.

Apple's reliance on third-party data sources for Apple Maps were often its biggest weakness when compared to the in-house solutions provided by Google Maps. The sixth beta for iOS 14 show that Apple is not only moving away from third-party map data, but its also moving away from third-party image and review data.

The next version of Apple Maps will let users leave reviews and submit images directly to the platform. When navigating local businesses or viewing travel destinations you will no longer be relegated to TripAdvisor or Yelp, instead Apple will begin to crowdsource this data.

Image credit: 9to5Mac

Screenshots obtained by 9to5Mac show a new on-boarding experience for Maps that describe the new feature. The UI shows that users can upload images or provide reviews with text or vote with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.

Within the legal terms, Apple says that all photos submitted by users will be reviewed by a human. Children accounts under the age of 13 will not be able to see photos inside Apple Maps.

The feature is rolling out to only a small amount of users, so not every user will see the feature even when using the latest beta. This update comes as Apple continues to push its Apple Maps platform to feature parity with Google Maps.

Some countries in Europe are seeing the new mapping data hosted by Apple show up as the company continues its rollout.

9 Comments

SpamSandwich 32917 comments · 19 Years

About 4 years ago

Good! I hate being shunted to Yelp’s app or web site (especially since I deleted their app long ago).

seanismorris 1624 comments · 8 Years

On one hand, Apple is getting to large creating anticompetitive issues.

On the other hand, it will improve the user experience.

beowulfschmidt 2361 comments · 12 Years

I wish bike routes were a priority.

tjwolf 423 comments · 12 Years

beowulfschmidt said:

I wish bike routes were a priority.

At least bike routes are an option already - EV charging station based routing was supposed to be in iOS 14 and it's nowhere in sight as of the latest beta. Me thinks it will not make it into iOS 14 at all even that it's almost September already.

Hank2.0 151 comments · 5 Years

Apple Maps may replace Yelp and other third-party solutions with an in-house user review system when iOS 14 releases this fall.
I am getting tired of people telling me how Apple is always copying ideas from Google and Android............especially when they're right :s
Hopefully, Apple will have a system that is better/faster/easier than Google's, but I really can't see how. I suppose, though, having two competing map apps is good for us users if it means improved products.