Pelican
Get the app
First drive

Get directions

Search for a place, pick a route, and start navigating.

Time for your first drive! A coffee shop, a friend’s place, the grocery store. Anywhere works.

Every drive starts on the map.

The Pelican map, with the search button, the Scout button, the camera mode button, the map settings button and the context switcher markedThe Pelican map, with the search button, the Scout button, the camera mode button, the map settings button and the context switcher marked
Your locationScout reportCamera modeMap settingsSearchContext switcher
  1. Your location
  2. Scout report
  3. Camera mode
  4. Map settings
  5. Search
  6. Context switcher

Find a place

  1. On the map, tap the search button.
  2. Type the name or the address of the place.
  3. Tap the place in the results.

The map instantly shows the route to the top result.

Search results for coffee on the Pelican map, with the route to the first result, the blue start button and the search field markedSearch results for coffee on the Pelican map, with the route to the first result, the blue start button and the search field marked
Your routeStart navigatingSearch fieldThe placeCamera modeResults list
  1. Your route
  2. Start navigating
  3. Search field
  4. The place
  5. Camera mode
  6. Results list

The arrows beside the blue button let you quickly flip through the results. To see them all as a list, tap the result list button.

A route from downtown Portland to Lake Oswego on the Pelican map: the fastest route and two alternates, by SW Terwilliger Blvd and by SW Boones Ferry Rd, each labeled with its time
A route from downtown Portland to Lake Oswego on the Pelican map: the fastest route and two alternates, by SW Terwilliger Blvd and by SW Boones Ferry Rd, each labeled with its time

Pick a route

Pelican will show alternate routes when available. Tap any route line to change to it.

The selected route will also show you how many stop signs, traffic lights, and other road fixtures are on the route.

  • Stop sign
  • Yield sign
  • Traffic light
  • Red light camera
  • Speed bump
  • Speed hump

Start navigating

Tap the blue navigate button to start your trip. You’re on your way!

As you drive, the trip card shows your ETA and remaining distance.

Pelican navigating, with the next turn, the trip card and the End route button markedPelican navigating, with the next turn, the trip card and the End route button marked
Next turnYouTrip cardScout reportEnd route
  1. Next turn
  2. You
  3. Trip card
  4. Scout report
  5. End route

Connected to CarPlay? Your route will automatically show up there too. To start routes from CarPlay, see Drive with CarPlay.

End the route

Tap the red stop button on the trip card to end the route early. You can also tap the map settings button, then tap End route. In CarPlay, press End route in the top bar.

Open addresses in Pelican

In the European Union and Japan, you can make Pelican your default navigation app. Then an address you tap in another app opens in Pelican.

  1. Open the iOS Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps > Default Apps > Navigation.
  3. Select Pelican.

Where to next?

You did it! Pick what to try next:

Relevant permissions

  • Location

    Recommended setting: Always
    Used for
    Navigation, your position on the map and trip logging.
    Why Pelican needs it
    Pelican needs your location to give directions. Trip logging needs Always to record a drive while Pelican is closed. With While Using the App, Pelican can only record drives started while Pelican is open. Pelican doesn't upload your trips to its servers or collect your trip's GPS locations. See What stays on your phone.
    When Pelican asks
    During onboarding, if you grant it.

Keyboard shortcuts

for/
Search the Handbook.
⌘K
Search the Handbook, also while you type in a field.
Esc
Close the search or a dialog.
?
Show these shortcuts.