What's Near Me?
The quickest way to find what's near you: how to search Google Maps and Apple Maps, fix wrong results, use maps offline and get urgent help nearby.
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About What's Near Me?
Looking for something close by, like a pharmacy that's still open, somewhere to eat or the nearest petrol station? The quickest answer is almost always the map app already on your phone. This page explains how to get good results from it, what to do when it lets you down, and links to our guides for specific searches.
The quickest way: search a map app
- Open Google Maps or Apple Maps and let it use your location.
- Type what you need into the search bar, for example pharmacy, cash machine or Thai food. You don't need to add "near me": map apps search around where you are.
- Use the filters. In Google Maps, tap Open now to hide places that are closed, and filter by rating. Apple Maps offers similar filters for many searches.
- Tap a result to see opening hours, photos and reviews, and to call or get directions.
Both apps also show quick category buttons (restaurants, petrol, coffee and so on) under the search bar, which are handy when you just want to see what's around you.
When the results look wrong
- Wrong area: check that location services are on for the app. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and turn on Precise Location for your map app. On Android, it's usually under Settings > Location.
- Few or no results: try a broader word (food rather than ramen), or zoom out and search the area again.
- The place has closed or the hours are wrong: listings aren't always up to date, especially for small independent businesses. If it matters, such as a late-night pharmacy or a garage on a Sunday, phone before you set off.
With no signal
Map apps can work offline if you prepare. Google Maps lets you download an area before you travel, and Apple Maps on iPhone (iOS 17 and later) does the same. Searching for businesses works best online, but downloaded maps still show the map and give directions.
Urgent help
In an emergency, call 999 in the UK or 911 in the US. For urgent medical help in England that isn't an emergency, NHS 111 can tell you where to go, including the nearest open pharmacy or urgent treatment centre.
If you break down on a motorway in England, get to a safe place first, then call National Highways on 0300 123 5000, followed by your breakdown provider. Our towing guide has more.
Before you go
- Reviews: read a few recent reviews rather than relying on the star rating alone.
- Food hygiene: in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, restaurants, cafés and takeaways get a food hygiene rating from 0 to 5 when they're inspected, and you can look it up on the Food Standards Agency website. Scotland uses its own scheme (Pass or Improvement Required).
- Prices: for services you'll pay for, like a garage, a tow or a storage unit, ask for the price in writing first.