How to use Petal Maps if you're coming from Google Maps: A basic guide for Android

For many users, Petal Maps It has become a reliable alternative for navigating around town or on the highway without relying on Google Maps. With coverage in more than 160 countries and regions, it offers real-time traffic, lane guidance, incident alerts, and many extras that make it a great everyday companion.

In addition to the classic functions, Petal Maps incorporates useful layers (weather, transport, traffic), voice searches, and amazing customization options in a free, ad-free app. And yes, you can also download maps for offline use and sync your favorites between devices.

What is Petal Maps and what devices does it work on?

Petal Maps is Huawei's mapping service. for mobile phones and watches, available on Android, iOS and HarmonyOS. It was born as an alternative to Google Maps and uses mapping data from TomTom and OpenStreetMap as primary sources.

Huawei launched Petal Maps in October 2020 on AppGallery for your devices; later, It arrived on Android via Google Play in June 2021. and finally, landed on iOS on March 3, 2022 via the App Store. This cross-platform availability makes it easy to use on almost any modern smartphone.

The app stands out for a clean and minimal interface that focuses your attention on the map and directions, with dark mode for driving at night without glare. Integrated with HMS Core (Huawei Mobile Services), it offers stable performance and native features like cloud sync.

Compatible with multiple modes (car, walking, bike and public transport), navigation also extends to Huawei Watch (WATCH 3, GT2, GT3 and compatible series), so you can receive instructions from your wrist.

Real-time traffic and navigation features

When you set out on a route, Petal Maps calculates the fastest, shortest, or least congested route, combining your preferences with live traffic data. You can add multiple stops on the same route and explore alternatives before leaving to avoid surprises.

The guide stands out for its level of precision per lane, which helps you clearly select the correct exit, even at complex intersections. This feature reduces last-minute errors and provides significant safety on expressways and ring roads.

In addition to traffic, the community brings value: you can report checks, outages, accidents and other incidents, and view what other users have reported. This collaborative layer keeps the route up to date with what's actually happening.

Voice navigation is flexible: there are configurable advance warnings for turns (e.g. at 1km, 500m, 300m, 150m or 80m), an option that is not common in all apps and that allows you to adjust the anticipation to your driving style.

An interesting visual detail is the route progress bar With integrated traffic information. At a glance, you know where you are on your journey and what traffic density you'll encounter ahead.

 

Local search, lists and synchronization

Search on Petal Maps is versatile and understands natural consultations. You can enter addresses, intersections, wide areas or search for places by category or description such as “cafes near the center,” and the app suggests relevant places (restaurants, hotels, theaters, gas stations, parking, and more).

To plan getaways or daily tasks, you can organize favorites into custom lists with its own icons. It's a very convenient way to group destinations by theme (work, leisure, errands, etc.) and always have them at hand.

Your information can be sync to the cloud, both with Huawei Mobile Cloud and with Dropbox, to keep bookmarks and settings across all your devices. If you use the app on multiple phones, creating an account is worth it.

On the other hand, Petal Maps encourages participation: you can rate and review places, add sites that do not exist and correct outdated dataTogether, the map remains alive and useful.

La voice search It's key when driving or when you don't want to type; with a simple command, you can find where to eat, have a drink, or hang out, without taking your eyes off the road.

Offline maps, layers and visualizations

Petal Maps allows download maps for offline useThe first time you use it, you'll need the internet to sync and activate offline mode, but after that, you can browse even without coverage, which is essential when traveling or in rural areas.

In visualization, it has vista 3D for a more intuitive reading of the urban environment and satellite view For those who prefer the real view of the terrain. Please note that, currently, Satellite view is available on the mobile app, not in the web version.

Layers enrich the map: in addition to traffic, incidents and public transport, Petal Maps offers weather information on the map with heat and precipitation maps. It's especially useful for planning routes to avoid storms or fog.

Another useful tool is the measurement of areas and perimetersBeyond calculating distances between points, you can delimit a polygon to determine its surface area and perimeter, which is very convenient for enclosures, fields, or basic planning.

Fine or erratic GPS? The app integrates a view with visible satellites and positioning accuracy in meters, without installing any additional utilities. This way, you can immediately check the quality of your signal.

Android Auto compatibility and alternatives

Officially, Petal Maps is not compatible with Android AutoThe reason is simple: Huawei can't use Google services, and Android Auto relies entirely on them. Therefore, native integration isn't expected in the near future.

Where it does work is in Huawei HiCar, the brand's infotainment system. If your car or compatible unit supports HiCar, you'll have a more direct experience from the vehicle's screen.

Now, if you want to use Petal Maps on your car screen with Android Auto, there is an unofficial solution: run it on your mobile and project the screen in your car with tools like Auto stop (there are also alternatives like CarStream).

Fermata Auto includes several apps in one package: Auto stop (plays DTT, local videos and YouTube in a web-based player), Fermata Mirror (projection of the mobile screen with a launcher where you pin apps), Fermata FS Mirror (same in full screen) and Fermata Media Service (audio player compatible with Google specifications).

For Petal Maps, the interesting thing is Fermata MirrorYou must download the APK from GitHub and activate it. Android Auto developer options with apps from unknown sources. If it doesn't appear, in the developer settings select “Developer” in “Application Mode” to display “Car Apps” on the vehicle screen and open Fermata Mirror from there.

The first execution requires granting special permits (accessibility, keep screen awake, etc.). Then add Petal Maps to the launcher by tapping “+” and checking its box. From then on, you can open it from Fermata Mirror.

Main drawback? The app only forces landscape orientation when a route is active. Outside of navigation, it may remain vertical and look bad on widescreen displays, with possible black bands if the aspect ratio doesn't match. Even so, during active guidance, it works and looks really good for many scenarios.

Availability, requirements and downloads

You can download Petal Maps from Huawei AppGallery and, on compatible Android devices, from Google Play. On iOS, it's on the App StoreIf your mobile is Huawei, make sure you have HMS Core updated to access all functions.

Minimum and recommended requirements: EMUI 5.0 / Android 7.0 or higher as a base, and for a good experience, HMS Core 5.0+ and at least 3 GB of RAMThese recommendations help ensure smooth lane guidance and map rendering.

Remember Some functions depend on the country or region (for example, certain layers or data available), and the first time you activate offline mode you will need to connect to the Internet to download maps and sync.

If you use multiple devices, crear una cuenta and activate synchronization with Huawei Cloud or Dropbox avoid losing your collections of places and settings.

Recent versions and update schedule

Petal Maps receives frequent updatesThese are recent release milestones and dates on Android that illustrate its ongoing evolution:

• 4.6.0.307 (001) for Android 8.0+: May 19, 2025.
• 4.6.0.306 (001) for Android 8.0+: March 17, 2025.
• 4.6.0.305 (001) for Android 8.0+: January 5, 2025.
• 4.6.0.301 (001) for Android 8.0+: November 8, 2024.
• 4.6.0.202 for Android 8.0+: October 1, 2024.
• 4.5.0.303 (001) for Android 8.0+: September 9, 2024.

This pace of releases reflects a active development, with continuous improvements in navigation, layers, and performance, so keeping the app updated is essential to take advantage of its benefits.

Community Collaboration and Support

Petal Maps is committed to collaborative maintenance: add new places when they are missing, edit incorrect information y leave reviews to guide other users. The more participation there is, the more accurate the map will be.

To send suggestions or report problems, you can use the function from the app at Me > Help > Comments. In addition, on their social networks, such as Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/petalmapsglobal), Twitter (https://twitter.com/petalmaps) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/petalmaps/), they also collect feedback and announce new developments.

It's important to know that Not all features are available in all countriesThe lack of a layer or data may be due to regional restrictions or a gradual rollout.

Differential functions compared to Google Maps

Petal Maps has incorporated own ideas and fine-tuning which, in some ways, surpass Google Maps. Some of these innovations include:

• Zoom in on roundabouts at the top of the screen, which enlarges the view to make it easier to select an output.
• Arrows on routes and before each sign, which although they may seem more loaded, help to understand the flow of the route quickly.
• Progress bar with traffic which shows how far you have traveled and the traffic conditions ahead.
• Satellite information and positioning accuracy integrated, without the need for additional applications.
• Measuring areas and perimeters, useful for delimiting areas or evaluating surfaces.
• 3D Car Customization to represent you on the map, some unlockable by using the app frequently.
• Layer of time with heat and precipitation maps, overlaid on the map for route planning.
• Configurable turn signals with different distances, making it easy to adapt to your driving style.

These details are added to traditional functions such as Live traffic, lane guidance, incident alerts, voice and favorite management, consolidating a complete and competitive experience.