Google Maps Outage: Best Navigation Alternatives to Keep You Going

On the afternoon of Thursday, September 11, 2025, people who opened Google Maps were greeted with… not much. Routes failed to load, navigation froze, and for many the app simply spun without results. At first, some assumed it was their phone or data connection acting up. But reports started stacking up on outage tracker DownDetector around 2:58 p.m. Eastern Time. By then it was clear: this wasn’t an isolated glitch.

When Google Maps falters, it feels bigger than just an app hiccup. Millions use it daily — whether to shave five minutes off a commute, to find an unfamiliar restaurant, or to plot a cross-country drive. Losing it, even for an hour, is the kind of disruption that makes you realize how deeply we rely on one piece of software to guide our physical world.

But here’s the upside. Google Maps isn’t the only reliable navigation tool out there. In fact, the last few years have seen competitors catch up in surprising ways. Some focus on live traffic reports, others excel when you’re offline, and a few specialize in professional-grade features. Below are five strong options you’ll want to keep installed, just in case.

If you’ve ever been blindsided by a sudden jam, you know the pain. That’s where Waze shines. The app pulls in live updates from its community of drivers. Someone spots a crash on I-95? They flag it, and within minutes the info shows up on your screen. The same goes for construction zones, lane closures, even hidden speed traps.

The navigation itself is straightforward, with voice prompts, alternate routes, and estimated arrival times that update constantly. The interface is busier than Google Maps — icons and warnings everywhere — but that’s the trade-off for immediacy. Available on Android, iOS, and desktop, Waze is especially handy for commuters and anyone who hates surprises on the road.

Apple Maps had a rough launch years ago, but those days are gone. Now it feels fast, clean, and more reliable than many give it credit for. On iPhone, it’s deeply woven into the system. You can ask Siri for directions without touching the screen, glance at your Apple Watch for turns, and switch between driving, walking, or transit with ease.

Features like 3D city views and indoor maps at airports keep improving. Transit information is detailed in supported cities, with bus and train stations shown right alongside walking paths. The catch is obvious: it’s iOS only. If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, though, it’s a natural backup to Maps — and in many cases, just as good.

Bing Maps rarely makes headlines, but it hasn’t disappeared. Microsoft has kept it alive, updating maps and keeping features stable. Its strengths? Clarity and simplicity. You get aerial photography, “StreetSide” views that mirror Google’s Street View, and clear traffic overlays.

It lacks the personality of Waze or the design polish of Apple Maps, but sometimes plain is good. Bing Maps is reliable when you just need to find a route quickly without toggling through endless options. It also integrates neatly with Microsoft services, so if you’re in that ecosystem, it’s worth remembering.

HERE WeGo doesn’t have the brand recognition of Apple or Google, but ask frequent travelers and you’ll hear praise. Its standout feature is offline maps. You can download entire regions or countries ahead of time and navigate without touching mobile data. That’s huge if you’re going overseas or driving through rural areas with weak coverage.

Beyond offline strength, HERE includes car, walking, and public transit routes. It’s widely used in Europe, where transit networks are more complex, but it’s handy anywhere. If you’ve ever been stranded in spotty service with a dead navigation app, you’ll understand why this one deserves a spot on your phone.

TomTom has been guiding drivers since the standalone GPS unit days. Its GO Navigation app carries that pedigree into 2025 with pro-level features. Think lane guidance, real-time traffic alerts, speed warnings, and indoor maps for places like shopping centers and airports.

Unlike most of the free apps, TomTom GO leans on a subscription model. That may turn off casual users, but delivery drivers, rideshare pros, and others who drive for work often find the cost worth it. The app feels built for reliability, with frequent map updates and precision routing that stands out when accuracy matters most.

By Friday morning, many users reported Google Maps working again, though some glitches lingered. Outages like this are rare, but they underline a bigger truth: no single app should be your only guide.

Think of navigation like insurance. You may not use Bing Maps daily, or keep HERE WeGo open on every drive. But when Google Maps drops the ball, having another app ready means you’re not scrambling. Each alternative has its sweet spot — Waze for traffic, Apple Maps for iPhone integration, HERE for offline travel, and TomTom for serious road warriors.

Technology fails. What matters is being prepared so that when it does, you’re not left staring at a frozen screen, wondering which exit you just missed.