Image Source: The Guardian
Map Quest has unexpectedly become the most popular navigation app on Apple’s US App Store after refusing to follow Donald Trump’s order to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America.” The surge has pushed the long-running mapping service ahead of Google Maps and Apple Maps, turning a familiar internet brand into an unlikely symbol of resistance.
Map Quest Scores a Powerful App Store Victory
As of Tuesday morning, September 1, MapQuest held the No 1 position in Apple’s US navigation chart. The Guardian confirmed the ranking after TechCrunch first reported that downloads had soared in recent days.
The app also climbed to fourth place among all downloaded apps in the United States, excluding games. Google Maps ranked second in the navigation category, while Apple Maps remained behind its older competitor. In Canada, MapQuest had become the second-most downloaded app overall by Sunday night.
Doug Berger, MapQuest’s general manager, said usage was running at approximately 50 times its normal rate. He added that hundreds of thousands of people had downloaded the app over the weekend, suggesting that the company’s decision had resonated with users on both sides of the border.
“We took the same approach we did with the Gulf of Mexico: be part of the conversation, and give people an app that keeps the names they’re familiar with,” Berger said in a statement.
Trump’s Lake America Order Sparks Backlash
Trump signed an executive order on August 27 directing federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” The order came during an increasingly tense trade dispute with Canada, including higher tariffs on Canadian goods.
Google quickly adopted the new name for users in the United States. However, Google Maps continues to display Lake Ontario for users in other parts of the world. Apple Maps, meanwhile, was still showing the traditional name on Tuesday despite pressure from the White House.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Monday that he was confident Apple would eventually make the change after Trump contacted the company directly. Apple has not publicly confirmed that it will rename the lake.
Lake Ontario has been known by its current name for roughly 400 years and spans the border between the United States and Canada. The dispute has therefore grown beyond a software update, raising questions about historical names, government authority and the role of technology companies in political battles.
A Bold Marketing Strategy Pays Off
MapQuest, which describes itself as the “OG” of the internet mapping era, has maintained its refusal to change the name. On August 27, the company posted a short message declaring, “We’re not changing it.”
The following day, it adopted Trump-style language in a playful social media post: “Our maps are big and beautiful. People come up to us and say we’ll get them places. And we do!”
The company also revived a feature that allows users to create their own names for the lake. MapQuest introduced the tool after Trump’s administration rebranded the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for federal purposes in 2025.
That mix of humor, nostalgia and political commentary appears to have created a remarkable marketing moment. A brand many consumers thought had disappeared has suddenly become part of a national conversation about maps, identity and public opinion.
Polls Show Limited Support for the Renaming
The app’s rise came as new polling suggested that most Americans do not support Trump’s renaming effort. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published Tuesday found that only 14% of Americans approved of changing Lake Ontario’s name.
Support for the administration’s higher tariffs on Canadian goods was also limited. Just 20% approved of the tariffs, while 57% opposed them, according to the poll.
In Canada, opposition has been especially visible. A giant sign reading “Lake Ontario – Now and Always” was erected near Grimsby, Ontario, with the message displayed in English and French.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford told ABC News that no one would call the lake “Lake of America,” insisting that it had been Lake Ontario for hundreds of years and would remain so.
Lawmakers Seek to Block Future Name Changes
The political response has also reached Congress. Democratic representatives Tim Kennedy and Joe Morelle of New York, along with Debbie Dingell of Michigan, introduced the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act on Monday.
The legislation would seek to block the federal order concerning Lake Ontario and prevent future administrations from unilaterally changing the names of the Great Lakes.
For now, the naming dispute continues across government offices, mapping platforms and public spaces. But MapQuest’s sudden popularity shows that consumers can influence the debate too—one download at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did MapQuest become No 1 on Apple’s App Store?
MapQuest surged after refusing to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” following Donald Trump’s executive order. Its stance attracted attention and drove a sharp increase in downloads.
Does MapQuest show Lake Ontario or Lake America?
MapQuest continues to use the traditional name, Lake Ontario, rather than adopting “Lake America.”
What do Google Maps and Apple Maps show?
Google Maps shows “Lake America” to users in the United States but keeps “Lake Ontario” elsewhere. Apple Maps was still displaying Lake Ontario as of September 1.
How many Americans support renaming Lake Ontario?
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 14% of Americans supported changing the lake’s name.
Could Congress stop the renaming order?
Democratic lawmakers have introduced the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act, which would block the current order and restrict future federal renaming efforts.
