After nearly three years of unsupported use, Google Maps is finally available again on the Apple Watch

The return to watchOS was announced in a Google blog post on August 10, along with new interactions with CarPlay However, as 9to5Google observed, the rollout of Google Maps for Apple Watch only began with the release of version 552 of the Google Maps iOS app

before using the watchOS version of Google Maps, the main app must be updated It also requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 5 or later, which means that first-generation Apple Watch users are left out in the cold

To better suit the small, instantly accessible display, the app does not actually show maps Instead, it displays options for navigating to favorite destinations by car, bicycle, public transportation, or on foot Once you select a location from the list or enter a new location into your phone and choose your mode of travel, you will see a step-by-step list of instructions with haptic alerts to make sure you don't miss any turns

For quick access to maps, shortcuts to apps can be added to the Apple Watch home screen as complications

However, this is not a stand-alone app To enter unsaved destinations or check the actual map, you need to use your phone In other words, it is not as smooth to use as the Apple Maps app However, if you are one of the surprisingly large number of people who want to use Apple's hardware but not Google's app, it is worth giving Google Maps another try on the Apple Watch