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How to Switch to Satellite View in a Map App

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Open your map app

    Open your map app to the area you want to see in satellite view.

  2. Find the layers icon

    Tap the icon that looks like stacked map layers, usually tucked in a corner of the screen.

  3. Select 'Satellite'

    Choose 'Satellite' or 'Satellite imagery' from the list of map types that appears.

  4. Toggle place labels (optional)

    Some apps let you show or hide street and building names layered on top of the satellite imagery.

  5. Why it is useful

    It shows real aerial photography instead of drawn shapes and lines, which gives you a much more realistic sense of terrain and buildings.

See what a place actually looks like

A standard map represents streets and buildings as simplified shapes and lines, which can make it hard to picture what a place actually looks like on the ground. Switching to satellite view swaps that abstraction for real aerial photography, which is far more useful for judging terrain, greenery, or a building's actual layout.

Satellite view still supports search and directions

Switching the map type does not turn off any other feature β€” you can keep searching for places and getting turn-by-turn directions while looking at the satellite layer, so there is no real downside to leaving it on when you want the extra visual detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is satellite imagery updated in real time?

No, satellite images are captured periodically and refreshed on an update cycle, so there can be a noticeable gap between what you see and the current real-world conditions.

Can I still use directions in satellite view?

Yes, search and turn-by-turn navigation work exactly the same whether you are looking at the standard map or the satellite view.