Mappls: India’s homegrown answer to Google Maps gains momentum amid digital self-reliance push

Mappls lets users search addresses, get turn‑by‑turn directions, view live traffic and safety alerts, and navigate under challenging conditions, while using ISRO‑augmented satellite data, multilingual support in nine Indian languages, and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

India is refocusing on self-reliance in digital infrastructure, and its domestic navigation app Mappls—developed by MapmyIndia—has come into the limelight. On October 11, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tested Mappls during a drive, spotlighting features such as 3D junction views, voice‑guided navigation, and live traffic updates. Built in collaboration with ISRO, Mappls offers a privacy‑centric, locally tailored alternative to global mapping giants.

What Mappls offers users

Mappls enables users to search for addresses, receive turn-by-turn directions, access real-time traffic and safety alerts, and navigate in conditions where foreign apps may struggle. Thanks to MapmyIndia’s partnership with ISRO, the app leverages satellite imagery and Earth observation data to deliver ground-level accuracy and hyperlocal mapping across India.

To download and use the app, users can access it via mappls.com or major app stores. It also supports integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, bringing its features into in-car systems.

Recognizing linguistic diversity, Mappls now supports navigation interfaces, voice prompts, and map labels in nine Indian languages—including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, and others—enabling users to use the app in their native tongue across the country.

Other standout features include a Junction View, which displays realistic 3D visuals of intersections and flyovers to help drivers anticipate lane changes. The app also provides live traffic intelligence, indicating congestion, speed limits, traffic signals, and active monitoring systems like speed cameras.

Additionally, Mappls offers a toll cost calculator that estimates toll fees, supports pass purchases, and highlights nearby toll plazas. A built-in camera tool lets users take geotagged photos and generate QR codes for easy location recall and sharing. Each location is also represented by a Mappls Pin—a six-character alphanumeric code—simplifying address sharing and search.

Privacy, reach & vision

Mappls ensures that user data remains within India’s borders, storing information securely on domestic servers to align with national data protection goals. The app caters to individuals, enterprises, and government bodies, supporting applications ranging from fleet management to urban planning and infrastructure oversight.

As the Indian government continues pushing for digital self-reliance under the Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions, Mappls stands out as a flagship example of a locally built mapping solution. Its combination of India-specific design, privacy safeguards, and rich, multilingual features positions it as a key player in the nation’s tech sovereignty efforts.