Quick Answer
AMap launched its English version, AMap Global, on January 21, 2025, supporting 15 languages including English. It is the most useful navigation app for foreigners in China — full English interface, English voice navigation, and English ride-hailing. Search for AMap Global or AMap Maps & Navigation on the App Store or Google Play. After setting English, search, route planning, public transit, and ride-hailing all work in English.
Download and Installation
Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and search for:
- AMap Global — International version name, most direct
- AMap Maps & Navigation — Full app name
If you already have the Chinese version (高德地图), you can switch the language in settings — no need to reinstall.
Setting English
- Open the app, tap Me at the bottom-right of the navigation bar
- Go to Settings
- Select General
- Tap Language
- Select English
Note: The bottom-right tab is called Me, not My. After switching, the search bar placeholder becomes Search for a place or address.
Searching for Places
- The English version supports mixed Chinese-English search
- Enter English names (e.g., Tiananmen Square), pinyin, or Chinese characters
- Pinyin autocomplete is powerful: typing gz suggests Guangzhou, typing sh suggests Shanghai
- Well-known attractions' English names are recognized
Route Planning
After finding a destination, tap Route (blue arrow icon) at the bottom.
The route page shows travel modes at the top:
- Driving — By car
- Transit — Public transit including bus and subway (note: it's called Transit, not Public Transport)
- Cycling — By bike
- Walking — On foot
Each mode shows estimated time and distance. After selecting, tap Start Navigation. Remember: Transit = bus + subway. Don't look for Public Transport.
Ride-Hailing
AMap has a built-in ride-hailing aggregator, called Ride in English (not Ride-hailing or Taxi):
- Choose vehicle type: Express, Premium, etc.
- Enter destination to request a ride
- Pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay
- View real-time map and driver location in-car
Voice Navigation
- The English version supports English voice navigation
- Switch voice language in Settings
- Real-time turn-by-turn directions and lane guidance during navigation
Nearby
- Nearby lets you find nearby restaurants, gas stations, banks, and more
- Browse by category or search directly
Practical Tips
- Set English immediately after download — Switch to English on first open to avoid getting lost
- Remember Transit — Public transit (bus + subway) is called Transit in AMap, not Public Transport
- Use Ride for ride-hailing — AMap's built-in ride entry is called Ride; compare prices with DiDi
- Download offline maps — Download city offline maps in Settings for navigation without internet
- AMap vs Baidu Maps — Baidu Maps still has no full English interface; AMap is the only choice for English navigation
- Chinese addresses work too — Even if you don't read Chinese, copying and pasting a Chinese address works for navigation
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