Apple has updated its Apple Maps to show Lake America instead of Lake Ontario following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump. This adjustment by Apple comes after Alphabet made a similar change on Google Maps for U.S. users. The alteration reflects the updated name of the lake in the U.S. Geographic Names Information System.
U.S. users will now see the label “Lake America” on Apple Maps, while Canadian users will retain the name Lake Ontario. Users outside the U.S. will see both names, consistent with Apple’s approach when the Gulf of Mexico was renamed the Gulf of America by Trump.
The renaming of Lake Ontario has caused some confusion in Canada, with certain entities briefly displaying maps with the Lake America name. This shift in names highlights how tech companies in the U.S. are being drawn into geopolitical disputes as they navigate executive orders from the Trump administration.
Trump’s executive order specifically impacts U.S. federal usage of Lake Ontario and does not dictate the naming conventions for Canada, international entities, or other organizations. Despite the directive, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have affirmed that they will not adopt the new name, emphasizing the lake’s historical significance.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that a majority of Americans disagree with Trump’s decision to increase taxes on Canadian imports and rename Lake Ontario. The lake, shared by Canada and New York, has a significant portion of its surface area within Canadian territory.
Trump’s actions to rename the Gulf of Mexico earlier in 2025, followed by the renaming of Lake Ontario, reflect ongoing tensions between the U.S. and its neighbors. These moves have been met with skepticism and resistance from Canadian leaders and residents, who view the suggestions of Canadian statehood as unfounded.