Not everyone knows that you can hide your home on Google Maps and Apple Maps behind a wall of pixels. A measure that serves to protect your privacy, and protect users from abuse and stalking attempts. Like those that Tim Cook himself recently experienced. Well, for the unversed, Cook’s house has disappeared from digital papers, pixelated in coarse grain to prevent an attacker from being able to identify it or study it to commit crimes. But you don’t need to be the CEO of a large company, as you can also get the same treatment. In this tutorial, we will show you how to hide your home on Google Maps and Apple Maps below.
How to Hide Your Home on Google Maps
If you want to request to hide or blur your home on Google Maps, just view it through Street View, both in the Desktop version and through the mobile app. Once you have identified the address, just click on the three dots and choose the item “Report a problem”.
After that, simply fill in the form by framing the building to be blurred and confirm. The system will ask for a personal email where you will be contacted for further information and to provide additional documentation, if necessary.
Hide your Home on Apple Maps
To hide or black out your home from Apple Maps, it pays to use the Maps app on iPhone and iPad. Open the panoramic view and swipe up with your finger, then touch Select an issue > Privacy issues > Blank pictures of my home.
Apple will categorically ask you for your address and will allow you to enter a personal contact for the inevitable ritual checks. The procedure should not close for more than a few days.
Tim Cook’s Stalkers
Even Tim Cook found himself forced to obscure the images of his own home on the maps, after the last mishap he experienced with a stalker who sent him images of loaded guns. Before her, however, there was “Rocky” Sharma, a 42-year-old who earned the title of Tim Cook’s first official stalker, who jumped to the headlines for having tried to sneak into his house at least twice; and on one occasion, he even brought him flowers and champagne.
Thankfully, nothing serious happened either way, but given the pervasiveness of technology, it’s comforting to know that there are ways we can protect personal privacy and security.
That is everything you need to know about how to hide your home on Google Maps and Apple Maps. While you are here, you might be also interested to know How to Use Google Maps Live View on Android, and How to Download a Map on Google Maps.
