How can I use GOOGLE MAPS 7?

In January 2014 my Galaxy Note II updated to Android 4.3 (Jellybean.) When that occurred Google Maps 6 was replaced with Google Maps 7 and the ability to rollback to Google Maps 6 was eliminated.

Google Maps 7 is a HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE, INFERIOR, GARBAGE APP!!!!!

Google Maps 6 is/was a GREATLY SUPERIOR APP!!!!!!!!

I used Google Maps 6 everyday...several times a day.

Using Google Maps 7 is now INFURIATING and makes me greatly dislike Verizon, Samsung, and Google on a daily basis!

Please, Please, Please, provide a solution to the disaster that is Google Maps 7.

Thank you.

Accepted answers

GBailey642

I too am very frustrated by this whole change. My phone is on it's last leg, so I may have to upgrade soon. If so, I may likely move to an iPhone, because the new Androids, come pre-installed with Maps 7+.

If you have a phone where you originally had an older version of maps, here's how you can revert to the last working version with all of the older features you liked:

- Open the Play Store on your phone, open Settings and then choose disable "Auto-update apps".

- next, uninstall all your map updates.

- then go to http://android-appstore.com/download-Maps-apk-version-6-14-4/ and download the Older version 6.14.4 of Google Maps, to your computer. It’s on the right hand side of the page.Email this app to your mobile device. Open and install it to your phone. You will likely need to take a step to enable installation of APK files, but I don't remember precisely where to do it. It wasn't hard to find, as I think I was told where and how to enable that feature when I began the process of downloading the APK to the phone.

Since your auto-updates are now disabled, the Maps application will ask you occasionally to update, but you can say no. Consequently though, you will now have to manually choose to accept updates for every other app from here forward.

The good news is you will now be able to access "My Maps" through the layers on your phone again. You can still create them on line and still access them on your mobile.

If you happen to have a phone with the pre-installed Maps7+, some people out there suggest you may still be able to install the APK file onto you phone, but it will look like you have two Google Maps applications. You just have to open the right one. I don't know if this works definitively as I've not tried that on a newer device.

All comments

jroeder

What's different that you don't like?

Anthony_Nichols

It would be very tedious and cumbersome to type out all the differences between the two programs. Suffice it to say that Maps 7 is an extremely scaled down bare bones version of Google Maps 6 (why, this backward development, is just incomprehensible.) So many features and so much functionality was lost with Maps 7 it's just absolutely maddening. You can Google 'new google maps sucks' or 'google maps 7 sucks' and you'll get the picture. Very simply- Maps 6 is/was unquestionably a SUPERIOR APP and Maps 7 is INFERIOR GARBAGE. I apologize for the emphasis but I'm extremely unhappy with Verizon, Samsung, and Google over this; as all three currently take the position of 'so sorry, that's just the way it is...nothing can be done' Well I'm sorry too...because their position, along with the Maps 7 app is UNACCEPTABLE!

rcschnoor

If it is "UNACCEPTABLE" then you should possible look for another mapping app. I'm sure there are others on Google Play which may fit your requirements.:smileyhappy:

Anthony_Nichols

Thanks...nice try...way ahead...already did..was my first thought and activity weeks ago..BUT; if it were only that simple.

Turns out there just aren't any 'free' apps available that compare to Google Maps 6...not even close...especially Google Maps 7. And before anyone says 'well, it was a free app; so why am I complaining?' I think we're all beyond the illusion of 'free' apps by now. We all pay DEARLY for using 'free' apps. The service providers, device manufacturers, and app developers all get to monitor our location and activities 24/7/365. Then they get to compile, profile and trade in all our personal data at will, forever. I really don't think it's too much to ask to at least have access to the 'free' apps we prefer and especially not be prevented from having the 'free' apps we had; and that were initially used to give the providers/manufacturers/developers all our personal data.

GBailey642

If you have a phone where you originally had an older version of maps, here's how you can revert to the last working version with all of the older features you liked:

- Open the Play Store on your phone, open Settings and then choose disable "Auto-update apps".

- next, uninstall all your map updates.

The good news is you will now be able to access "My Maps" through the layers on your phone again. You can still create them on line and still access them on your mobile.

OSitCAMEwith

Thank you for that info on reverting Maps7. When I used the updated version of Maps for directions in the Midwest in a car last week the directions were all wrong just getting around from highway to downtown in the State Capitol I was visiting! I will try Verizon Navigator, but I think that costs monthly money but it is better than nothing! Oh google+Samsung ... why are you messing up Samsung Galaxy Note II?

OSitCAMEwith

since I cannot delete that last post re: Google Maps, administrator of this forum: Can you? I was using Maps on my backup phone not the paused Note II so it was inappropriate for this GN2 forum. Thank you!