Customize your map view in Maps on Mac
You can choose your map view, set what options are shown in maps and directions, choose whether labels are shown and how large they are, and show a distance scale on the map.
Change map modes
Go to the Maps app
on your Mac.Click
in the toolbar.Choose one of the following:
Explore: Shows the standard map. If you have a Mac with Apple silicon, you can see additional detail for elevation, roads, trees, buildings, landmarks, and more in select cities.
Driving: Shows traffic conditions and puts the focus on roads. See Show traffic conditions.
Transit: Shows bus stops, airports, transit lines, and stations.
Satellite: Shows satellite images. When Satellite is selected, you can click
to choose to see traffic conditions and labels.
Note: Driving and transit maps aren’t available in all countries or regions.
Change your map view
Go to the Maps app
on your Mac.Do any of the following:
View a map in 3D: Click the 3D button in the toolbar. Drag the slider in the lower-right corner to adjust the angle.
To see flyover views, use Satellite view in 3D.
Take a flyover tour: You can virtually fly over many of the world’s major landmarks and cities. Landmarks with flyover tours are identified by unique icons. Click the landmark’s icon, then click Flyover Tour.
View the earth with an interactive 3D globe: If you have a Mac with Apple silicon, zoom out until the map changes to a globe. Drag the globe to rotate it, or zoom in or out to explore details for mountain ranges, deserts, oceans, and more.
Show a distance scale: To show a scale on the map, choose View > Show Scale.
Turn Dark Mode on or off for maps: Choose Maps > Settings, click General, then select or deselect “Always use light map appearance.”
Changing the setting in Maps also changes the appearance of maps in other apps such as Contacts, Calendar, and Photos. See Use a light or dark appearance.
Change your transport mode and options
Go to the Maps app
on your Mac.Choose Maps > Settings, click Route Planner, then select your defaults, such as Transit or Walking or avoiding stairs when walking.
The Calendar app uses this setting to calculate how long it will take you to get to any event with an address, and sends you an alert when it’s time to leave. See Add locations and travel time to events in Calendar.
Tip: If you want to go to an event using a different mode of transport than you usually do, temporarily change this setting in Maps before you add the event in Calendar.
View labels on the map
Go to the Maps app
on your Mac.Do any of the following:
Make map labels larger: To enlarge the labels in any view, choose Maps > Settings, click General, then select Use Large Labels.
Show labels in satellite view: Click
in the toolbar, click Satellite, click , then click Show Labels (a checkmark shows it’s on). This provides a hybrid view between the map and satellite views.Set your preferred language for map labels: To always use your computer’s preferred language for map labels, regardless of the language of the country or region you’re viewing, choose Maps > Settings, click General, then select Always Show Labels in [language]. See Change the language your Mac uses.