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How to use Naver Map in English: a guide for Singapore travellers

Illustration of a traveller using a smartphone in a Seoul hanok neighbourhood with autumn trees

Updated November 2026 · By the PowerData2Go travel team

Planning a trip to Seoul or Busan? Set up Naver Map in English before you fly. The mobile app supports English menus and navigation, making it a useful Korea map app for tourists. Google Maps can help you find places and public transport; for walking and driving routes, have Naver Map or KakaoMap ready and check the features available when you travel.

This guide shows you how to change the language on iPhone and Android, search when an English place name does not work, plan subway and bus journeys, and recreate your Google Maps saved list in Naver Map.

In this guide

Can you use Naver Map in English?

Yes. Naver Map has an English setting in its mobile app. Menus and navigation are available in English, although individual reviews, business notices and some place details may remain in Korean. Keep the Korean name and address of important destinations as a backup.

You can use basic map search and directions without a Korean phone number. Sign in to a Naver account for saved lists and synchronisation across devices; bookings and other account features may have additional verification requirements. The Korean number included with our eSIM is for incoming calls with an extension, not SMS verification.

If you searched for “Naver maps English”, this is the same NAVER Maps, Navigation app published by NAVER Corp. It is separate from the general Naver search app.

How to change Naver Map to English

Download the official app from the App Store or Google Play. Menu positions can change between versions; look for the profile and gear icons rather than relying on a fixed tap count.

Android

  1. Open Naver Map.
  2. Tap MY, the profile icon beside the search bar.
  3. Tap the Settings gear.
  4. Open Language (언어).
  5. Choose English and return to the map.

iPhone

  1. Open Naver Map and tap the MY profile icon beside the search bar.
  2. Open the Settings gear, then Language.
  3. If the app opens iPhone settings, find NAVER Map → Preferred Language and select English.
  4. Return to Naver Map and reopen it if the language has not changed.

You can also open the iPhone Settings app and find NAVER Map directly. On newer iOS layouts, app settings may be under Settings → Apps → NAVER Map.

If “Language” or “Preferred Language” is missing

On iPhone, add English under Settings → General → Language & Region, then return to NAVER Map’s settings and look for Preferred Language again. This is the fallback described in NAVER’s official language-setting help.

On Android, update the app from Google Play, reopen it and check MY → Settings → Language. Make sure you installed Naver Map rather than the main Naver search app. If the menu still differs, consult the official help page for your app version.

Naver Map English version on desktop

For planning on a computer, open map.naver.com. The website and phone app have different interfaces. Do not assume the desktop site has the mobile app’s English language switch; use the mobile app for the English interface described above.

Browser translation can help with some website menus and text, but it may not translate map labels, images or every place detail. Keep Korean names and addresses available. Sign in with the same Naver account when saving places you want to find later on your phone.

Try a well-known place name such as “Gyeongbokgung Palace” or “Myeongdong”. Check the result’s address and map pin before starting directions.

Small cafes, restaurants and shops can be harder to find. If English search does not show the right result:

  1. Shorten the name. Try “Onion Anguk” rather than a longer branch description.
  2. Copy the Korean name. Find it on the venue’s website, social profile or your booking confirmation. For example, 광장시장 is Gwangjang Market.
  3. Search by the Korean street address. Copy it exactly where possible.
  4. Check the branch. Compare the street, building and nearby station; popular chains often have several locations.

Save your hotel’s Korean name, full address and a screenshot of its map pin somewhere outside the app as well.

Subway, bus and walking directions

Subway and bus

  1. Open Directions, or choose the directions option on a place’s page.
  2. Enter your start point and destination. Allow location access if you want to use your current position.
  3. Choose public transport.
  4. Compare transfers, walking time and departure time, as well as the total journey time.
  5. Open a route to check the boarding stop, line, transfer and station exit.

Naver Map provides public transport routes and real-time information for supported services. Arrival estimates can change, so check station signs and bus displays too. A route suitable in the afternoon may not run late at night.

A T-money card can pay for many subway and bus journeys. Physical cards are available at participating convenience stores and subway locations; carry Korean won for ordinary cash top-ups. See VISITKOREA’s transportation-card guide for current options and coverage.

Walking

Select the walking tab and check the route on the map. Follow street signs and safe crossings, and confirm the venue’s actual entrance when you arrive. Voice guidance and other features may vary by phone and app version; the route map remains useful even if your device does not offer spoken prompts.

Driving and taxis

Naver Map also offers driving routes. If you are taking a taxi, copy the Korean destination name and address into your chosen taxi app, or show them to the driver. K.Ride and Uber are options to check before departure; confirm service coverage, signup and accepted payment methods for your trip.

How to move your Google Maps places to Naver Map

You can recreate a Google Maps list manually. This method does not depend on a bulk-import tool or sharing your account with a third-party service:

  1. In Google Maps, open a saved place and copy its name or address. Use the Korean address where available.
  2. Paste it into Naver Map’s search bar.
  3. Compare the address and map pin to confirm it is the same place and branch.
  4. Open Save or the bookmark/star option, sign in if prompted, and add it to a list such as “Seoul food”.
  5. Repeat for the remaining places and check that your list appears on your phone.

Do this over Wi-Fi in Singapore before you fly. A computer can make copying a long list easier, although Naver’s desktop interface may require browser translation. Saved places do not automatically give you offline directions.

Naver Map vs KakaoMap vs Google Maps

FeatureNaver Map appKakaoMap appGoogle Maps in Korea
English interfaceYesYesYes
Walking routesYesYesCheck current availability
Subway and bus planningYesYesAvailable; compare local route details
Driving routesYesYesCheck current availability
Useful forEnglish navigation and trip listsA second route or place searchFinding places and keeping existing lists

Our suggestion: set up Naver Map as your main navigation app and keep KakaoMap as a backup. Both are listed with English support and walking, driving and public transport route search in the Korea Tourism Organization’s transport guide.

Google Maps update: navigation services in Korea are changing. This guide does not treat the historic walking and driving limitations as a permanent rule. Check your intended route in the current app before travelling, and keep a local map app ready.

Does Naver Map work offline, and how much data does it use?

Plan to have an internet connection for place searches, fresh routes and live bus information. Do not assume that any map-data download or cached screen gives you complete offline search or navigation. Save route screenshots, your hotel’s Korean address and important travel details before entering an area with weak signal.

There is no fixed data allowance that guarantees a whole day of use. Map browsing, photos, videos and other apps all affect consumption. Check your phone’s per-app mobile-data counter and review your allowance during the trip.

If Naver Map feels slow, check the signal, available data and whether other apps load. Move to a stronger signal or try reliable Wi-Fi, and close large background downloads. Roaming, local network congestion, app issues and device settings can all affect loading speed; a local connection alone does not guarantee instant results.

Tips for Singapore travellers

  • Install apps before the flight. Set up Naver Map, KakaoMap and Papago, plus your preferred taxi app. Change the map language while you have reliable Wi-Fi.
  • Save your hotel first. Add it to a clearly named list and keep its Korean address outside the app.
  • Prepare route screenshots. Save transfer details and station exits, then refresh live routes when you reconnect.
  • Choose data for your whole trip. Maps share your allowance with messaging, uploads and video. Korea eSIM from S$1.20 a day offers 1 GB/day or 2 GB/day, plus a Korean number with a personal extension and 10 incoming-call minutes/day. Speeds depend on coverage, conditions and your device.
  • Use the Korean address for taxis. Check the correct branch and entrance before booking.
  • Keep your Singapore line available if you need SMS. Check how your bank authenticates you abroad and whether your home telco can receive SMS overseas. On a compatible dual-SIM phone, use the Korea eSIM for mobile data and check the settings on your Singapore line to avoid unwanted roaming charges. The Korean number cannot receive bank OTPs; call-alert SMS goes to your registered Singapore line.

Naver Map FAQ

Is Naver Map available in English?

Yes. The Naver Map mobile app supports English. Open MY beside the search bar, then Settings → Language → English. Some reviews and place details may remain in Korean.

How do I change my Naver Map to English?

On Android, open MY → Settings → Language → English. On iPhone, use the app’s Language option or iPhone Settings → NAVER Map → Preferred Language → English. If Preferred Language is missing, first add English in Settings → General → Language & Region.

Is there an English version of Naver?

The Naver Map mobile app supports English. It is separate from the main Naver search app and website. Do not assume the desktop map site has the same English setting; browser translation may help with some text.

Can foreigners use Naver Map?

Yes. Basic map search and directions do not require a Korean phone number. Saved lists use a Naver account, while bookings and other account features may require further verification.

Does Google Maps work in Seoul?

Google Maps can help you find places and public transport in Seoul. Check current walking and driving availability before your trip, and keep Naver Map or KakaoMap ready for local routes. Navigation features in Korea are evolving.

Is the Naver Map app free?

Yes. Naver Map is free to download and use. Mobile-data charges still apply when you are not on Wi-Fi.

Naver Map or KakaoMap: which is better?

Both support English and local route search. Try Naver Map for your main trip list and keep KakaoMap as a second option when a place or route is difficult to find. The better choice depends on your itinerary and preferred interface.

How much data does Naver Map use?

Usage varies with map browsing, photos and other activity. Monitor the app’s usage in your phone settings and choose an allowance for all the apps you plan to use. A 1 GB/day plan is an option, not a guarantee that it will cover every traveller’s day.

Can I use Naver Map offline?

Do not rely on it for complete offline search, new routes or live arrivals. Prepare screenshots and Korean addresses, and plan to have mobile data or Wi-Fi when using live features.

Ready for Korea?

Get data for your route searches and a Korean number with a personal extension for incoming hotel and restaurant calls. First day free on bookings of 4 or more consecutive days. See Korea eSIM prices.

Sources and editorial note

Prepared by the PowerData2Go travel team, which writes practical travel-connectivity guides. Updated 2 November 2026 using NAVER’s help material, official app listings and Korea Tourism Organization guidance. This article does not claim hands-on iPhone or Android testing. Menu layouts and app services may change.