Baidu Maps English Guide: Use China's Top Map App

​What is Baidu Map App?​

​As the software that can best replace google Maps in China, Baidu Maps has global geographic information service features, including intelligent positioning, POI search, route planning, navigation, traffic conditions, real-time public transportation, etc.

Baidu Maps now has had a global POI coverage of 340 million and a road coverage mileage of over 70 million kilometers. Meanwhile, Baidu Maps is a map service provider in the industry with rich panoramic data. The panoramic views of streets have covered 95% of cities in China, and the number of panoramic photos has exceeded 2.2 billion.

China Navigation Apps Compared: Baidu vs. Amap

Amap or Baidu Map are commonly used Map tools by Chinese people. They are used for navigation and route planning when walking, cycling, taking buses or subways, and can also set arrival reminders. They are similar to Google Map, but in China, Amap and Baidu Map are more accurate and don't need vpn.

When to Use Which​​

​​How to Install Baidu Map App Outside China (iOS & Android)​​

​​For iOS Users (iPhone/iPad)​​

1. ​​Sign Out of Your Current Apple ID​​
2. ​​Create a NEW Apple ID for China Region​​:
3. • Go to Apple ID page: appleid.apple.com.
   • ​​Country/Region​​: Select ​​China Mainland (中国大陆)​​.
   • ​​Phone​​: Use a ​​non-VoIP number​​ (your own number works).
   • ​​Payment​​: Select ​​None​​.
3. ​​Switch to China App Store​​:
4. • Open ​​App Store → Profile Icon → Sign In​​ with new China ID.
   • Search: ​​"百度地图"​​ (Baidu Ditu) → Install.
4. ​​Sign Back into Your Original Apple ID​​:
   After install, log back into your primary Apple ID. (Your Baidu Maps will remain installed).→ ​​Verify​​: Open app, accept permissions. Skip login for now.

​​For Android Users​​

1. ​​Enable "Unknown Sources"​​:
   Settings → Security → Install unknown apps → Enable for your browser (Chrome/Safari/Firefox).
2. ​​Download Official APK​​:
3. • ​​Only use Baidu’s official site​​: map.baidu.com
   • Tap ​​"下载移动端" (Download Mobile App)​​ → Get latest ​​Android APK​​.
3. ​​Install & Launch​​:
4. • Open downloaded APK → Install → Open App.
   • Grant location/camera/storage permissions.→ ​​Verify​​: Basic map should load without login.

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​​Baidu Map English Guide: Setup & Basic Navigation​

​​Baidu Map English Guide: Setup & Basic Navigation​​

Essential Steps for Foreign Users

​​Account Setup (Without Chinese Phone Number)​​

1. ​​Open Baidu Maps​​ (百度地图, Bǎidù Dìtú)
   ▶️ Tap "我的" → ​​"登录/注册"​​ (Login/Register).
2. ​​Select Registration Method​​:
3. • ​​邮箱注册​​ (​​Email Registration​​) → Enter international email.
   • ​​手机号登录​​ (Phone Login​​) → ​​Use foreign number​​ (+[code]XXXXXXXX).
3. ​​Verify Account​​:
4. • Email: Check inbox for 6-digit code → Enter at ​​验证码​​ (Verification Code).
   • Phone: SMS code → Enter same field.

Tip: Skip registration if only using basic maps (no route saving).

​​Essential Settings​​

1. ​​Enable Location Access​​:
2. • iOS: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Baidu Maps → "While Using".
   • Android: App Info → Permissions → Allow Location.
2. ​​Download Offline Maps​​:
   ▶️ Tap "我的" → ​​"离线地图"​​ → ​​"下载地图"​​ → Select city.
3. ​​Translate Screen​​:
4. • iOS: Open Camera → Point at screen → Tap "Scan" icon → Select "Translate".
   • Android: ​​Google Lens​​ → Snap Baidu Maps screen → Auto-translate.

​​Basic Navigation​​

1. ​​Search Destination​​:
   ▶️ Tap ​​"搜索地点"​​ (Search Place) → Enter:
2. • ​​English names​​: "Beijing Railway Station"
   • ​​Pinyin​​: "Tian an men (天安门)
   • ​​Landmarks​​: "The Great Wall"
2. ​​Start Navigation​​:
   After search → Tap ​​"去这里"​​ (Go Here) → Choose:
3. • ​​驾车​​ (​​Drive​​) → Displays tolls/congestion.
   • ​​公交​​ (Bus/Subway​​) → Shows transfers/fares.
   • ​​步行​​ (Walk​​) → For short distances.
3. ​​Follow Voice Guidance​​:
   ▶️ Default is Chinese → Tap ​​"设置"​​ (Settings) → ​​"导航设置"​​ (Navigation Settings) →​​"语音设置"​​ (Voice Settings) → ​​Choose English voice pack​​ (Limited accents).

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​​How to Use Baidu Map in English?

（Source from Baidu)

How to Find a Place

1. Enter the place you want to go in the search bar. It is recommended to enter in Chinese or pinyin
2. Select the option that best matches your destination in the search results

How to Navigate

1. After completing the first step (find a place), click the button on the right, and there will be different ways to arrive
2. Choose the mode you need among driving, walking or taking public transportation, and follow the directions to get there

How to Use Public Transport

Search for the target location. After determining the location, select the public transportation mode you need:

• ​Subway: Look for ​(Exit) + numbers.
• ​Bus schedules: Tap ​公交 → Check First bus and ​Last bus.

How to Save a Place

（Source from Baidu)

1. First, search for the address you need to save
2. Select this address and click the star at the lower left corner to ensure successful saving
3. Click "Collect → Location", "long-press the Chinese name", and you can rename the location you have saved.

​​Using Baidu Maps Without a Chinese Phone Number​

You can still use the baidu map app with an international mobile phone number without a Chinese mobile phone number, but you may be restricted in functions such as hailing a taxi, sharing locations, and replying to comments.

​​Is Baidu Map Safe & Secure for Foreign Visitors?​

When Baidu Maps Is Safe to Use​​

• Basic navigation (walking/driving/subway).
• Finding ATMs, restaurants, hotels in tourist zones.
• Offline map access (no data tracking).

When to Avoid It​​

• Ride-hailing (use Didi International/street taxis instead).
• Accessing sensitive/political locations.
• If requiring strict GDPR-level data privacy.

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