Policies for Navigation SDK for iOS

  • The Navigation SDK for iOS is intended for mobile apps providing drivers with turn-by-turn navigation and driver status tracking.

  • The SDK is for commercial use only and prohibits use in embedded devices or for heavy vehicle navigation without consent.

  • Apps using the SDK must display Google's map and logos without alteration.

  • UI modifications are permitted but must not compromise driver safety by introducing distractions or obscuring critical information.

  • Apps must present Navigation SDK terms of use and disclaimers to end users upon first use.

This document lists requirements for applications developed with the Navigation SDK for iOS.

Acceptable customer implementation use

The Navigation SDK for iOS is designed for providing drivers with real-time turn-by-turn navigation in a mobile application. The data generated by the API may also be used in other applications to share information related to driver status and for general tracking of driver locations.

Disallowed customer implementation

The Navigation SDK for iOS is allowed only for commercial applications. The Navigation SDK for iOS is not allowed for the following categories of use cases without express prior written consent from Google:

  • Heavy Vehicle routing or navigation, such as for buses, trucks, or vehicles with road restrictions, unless the Services explicitly specify supporting heavy vehicle navigation.

Content scraping

Road Name and Speed Limit may be returned to you based on user interactions with your app. If you were to capture or persist the Road Name or Speed Limit for use in any other context outside of the user session, this would constitute scraping, which is not allowed by our terms.

Acceptable modifications to the Navigation UI

The Navigation SDK for iOS enables certain UI customizations, such as customizing the navigation map, adding custom markers, changing the size and content of the header and footer surrounding the navigation viewport, or changing the size of the navigation viewport itself. In some situations, you might also want to overlay content on top of the active navigation screen.

When doing so, you may not introduce modifications that inhibit safe use by drivers. For example, the following changes can negatively impact driver safety and must be avoided:

  • Showing distracting animations during active navigation.
  • Showing overlays on the navigation screen without explicit driver action.
  • Positioning overlays on the active navigation screen that hide the driver's current location or permanently block important navigation information. This includes upcoming turns, lane guidance, compass orientation, and all standard UI elements in the navigation experience.
  • Removing road network from the navigation map or significantly reducing color contrast of map features on the navigation map.

Other implementation requirements

  • You may not modify the Navigation SDK in-product terms without the prior written consent from Google.
  • Your app must display to your end users the following information upon their first usage of the app:
    • The Navigation SDK terms of use.
    • End users should always exercise independent judgment when using navigation, as information from the Navigation SDK Service may differ from actual real-time conditions.
    • End users are solely responsible for costs incurred when following the directions provided by the Navigation SDK service, such as for toll fees or high occupancy vehicle lanes.