Apple has updated its Apple Maps web version by renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America after an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump. Following Alphabet’s decision to change the lake’s name on Google Maps for U.S. users, Apple confirmed that American users will now see the label “Lake America.” This change aligns with the update made to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System.
Canada-based users will still see Lake Ontario, while users from other countries will view both names, similar to the approach taken after Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
The adjustments made by tech giants like Apple and Google highlight their involvement in political matters as they respond to government directives. Trump’s order specifically applies to the U.S. federal use of Lake Ontario and does not dictate the naming conventions used by Canada, international entities, or other organizations.
Despite the changes by Apple and Google, a majority of Americans disagree with Trump’s recent decisions, including the renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have both stated their refusal to adopt the new name, emphasizing the historical significance of the original name that dates back over 400 years. New York shares a border with the lake on the U.S. side.
Lake Ontario spans across both Canada and New York, with approximately 52% of its surface area located in Canada. Trump’s previous renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in January 2025 set the precedent for these recent changes in map labels.