Apple Launches New App For Users Who Want To Improve Apple Maps

Apple Maps illustration from Apple (photo: x @Minchuaviles)

JAKARTA - Apple quietly launched a new app on Friday, March 14, dubbed the 'Maps Surveyor'. This app allows users in the US to contribute to improving Apple Maps by collecting data from the surrounding environment and sending it to the company. However, not everyone can use this new app.

In the description of the app, Apple explains that "Surveyor helps Apple improve Maps by collecting data, such as road signs and other details on the side of the road, while on the assigned route."

While available for free on the App Store, the app appears to be created for select users. Once installed, the app asks users to open partner apps, which are currently just Premise a platform that rewards users for completing "simple tasks."

Premise is a marketplace that pays users to answer surveys, share personal information, or take photos of certain locations. As reported by MacRumors, the code in the app shows that Apple is using Premise to invite people to help improve Apple Maps in certain rewards.

Users will be asked to install their iPhone on the mount with a landscape orientation and use the Surveyor app to take pictures along the given route.

The list of data providers for Apple Maps currently does not mention this new app, perhaps because it is still in its early stages of launch. It should be noted that Apple also operates mapping vehicles driving across cities around the world to collect data to improve Apple Maps.

For now, Maps Surveyor is only available in the United States. However, if you have Apple devices and want to help improve Apple Maps, you can use the "Report Problems" option within the app to send feedback to Apple.