Using Maps URLs, you can build a universal, cross-platform
URL to launch Google Maps and perform searches, get directions and
navigation, and display map views and panoramic images. These universal
URLs allow for broader handling of the maps requests no matter which
platform the user is on.
Using intents in your Android app, you can start an activity in another
app by describing a simple action you'd like to perform (such as "display
a map" or "show directions to the airport") in an Intent object.
The Google Maps app for Android supports several different intents, allowing
you to launch the Google Maps app in display, search, navigation,
or Street View modes.
If you want to embed a map in your app, please refer to the
Maps SDK for Android guide to getting started.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-26 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eLaunch Google Maps using universal, cross-platform URLs or platform-specific intents.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eMaps URLs are the recommended approach for building links that work across different platforms, enabling searches, directions, and map views.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eGoogle Maps Intents are available for Android, allowing your app to trigger specific actions within the Google Maps app.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eTo embed a map directly into your Android app, consult the Maps SDK for Android documentation.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["Select platform: [Android](/maps/documentation/android-sdk/intents \"View this page for the Android platform docs.\") [iOS](/maps/documentation/ios-sdk/urlscheme \"View this page for the iOS platform docs.\")\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nYou have a couple of options available to launch Google Maps.\nFollow the links below to learn more.\n\n[Maps URLs](/maps/documentation/urls/guide) (recommended)\n\n: Using Maps URLs, you can build a universal, cross-platform\n URL to launch Google Maps and perform searches, get directions and\n navigation, and display map views and panoramic images. These universal\n URLs allow for broader handling of the maps requests no matter which\n platform the user is on.\n\n[Google Maps Intents for Android](https://developer.android.com/guide/components/google-maps-intents)\n\n: Using intents in your Android app, you can start an activity in another\n app by describing a simple action you'd like to perform (such as \"display\n a map\" or \"show directions to the airport\") in an `Intent` object.\n The Google Maps app for Android supports several different intents, allowing\n you to launch the Google Maps app in display, search, navigation,\n or Street View modes.\n\nIf you want to embed a map in your app, please refer to the\nMaps SDK for Android [guide to getting started](/maps/documentation/android-sdk/start)."]]
