Free mapping app MapQuest surges in popularity after refusing to rename Lake Ontario

MapQuest experienced a significant spike in popularity last week, reaching its highest point in 30 years. The app became the top choice in the Navigation category and seventh among all free apps on the Apple App Store in the US, according to its parent company System1. This surge was triggered by users' dissatisfaction with Google Maps and Apple Maps renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America following President Trump's executive order.

MapQuest adamantly refused to make the change, maintaining "Lake Ontario" in its default maps. This decision paid off, as the app saw a surge of hundreds of thousands of downloads and usage levels reaching around 50 times their usual rate. MapQuest capitalized on this newfound fame by introducing an interactive tool that allows users to rename the lake themselves.

The company's general manager, Doug Berger, believes the response was fueled by users' familiarity with the well-known name. MapQuest is also preparing to support Android Auto, currently lacking this feature despite already supporting Apple CarPlay. The app has reached the fifth position on Google's Play Store in the US this week.

While MapQuest is still behind Google Maps in features, offering only basic navigation and live traffic updates, this viral moment could quickly fade if the news cycle moves on. The app, originally released in 1996, now holds its best chart position yet, but its long-term success remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Apple's long-rumored iPhone Ultra, expected to support MagSafe, is set to debut with iOS 27, addressing one of the common issues faced by iPhone users who own multiple devices.