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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

Waze Navigation & Live Traffic

30
User verdict / 100 High confidence In trouble

Recent Waze reviews are overwhelmingly negative due to updated terms and conditions stating Israeli law governs the service, leading many US users to delete the app, while other users, primarily in the UK and Canada, report persistent technical issues like app freezing and CarPlay display problems.

4.8★ lifetime (3,174,286) Free + in-app purchases since 2009 by waze updated 0.1 mo ago recent negative 40% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Governing Law/Privacy App Freezing/Crashes CarPlay Issues Navigation Accuracy/Routing User Interface/Features
5★463
4★65
3★52
2★63
1★331
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.8★ lifetime average

Waze, a navigation app with a lifetime rating of 4.8, is currently facing significant backlash from recent users, particularly in the US, over new terms and conditions that state the service is governed by Israeli law. This has led to a surge of negative reviews and uninstalls. Concurrently, many users across different regions are reporting various technical bugs, including app freezes and CarPlay display issues, despite a recent update that claimed bug fixes.

What users like

What users complain about

  • New terms and conditions state the service is governed by Israeli law, causing privacy concerns and leading many US users to delete the appR1R4R6R7
  • Frequent app freezing, especially when searching for addresses or saving locationsR262R266R270R319
  • CarPlay integration issues, including blank screens and map disappearance when selecting alternative routesR311R370R382R398
  • Navigation can be unreliable, sometimes suggesting illogical or longer routesR20R274R319R738
  • Large icons and street names can obstruct the map view, especially at intersectionsR273R268
  • Missing features like bus lane alerts, traffic light icons, and options for saving preferred routes or vehicle types (e.g., vans)R257R287R316R322
  • Issues with account registration and verification codesR272

Latest update · v5.21.0.3

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Saving time & avoiding traffic is even simpler with this update: Fixed a bug so alerts about upcoming railroad crossing are displayed correctly. Please note the newest version of the Waze app includes all the changes made in previous versions. Updating your Waze app to the newest Waze version means that all the changes made in previous versions will be downloaded to your device.

Recurring themes

Governing Law/Privacy negative
A significant number of recent US reviews express strong negative sentiment and concern over updated terms and conditions that state the service is governed by Israeli law. Many users interpret this as a privacy risk and a reason to delete the app, citing fears of data collection by a foreign government. This issue is almost exclusively reported by US users.R1R4R6R7
App Freezing/Crashes negative
Many users, particularly from the UK and Canada, report the app frequently freezing or crashing. This often occurs when trying to search for a destination, save a location, or interact with the search bar. This issue is reported despite the developer notes mentioning bug fixes.R262R266R270R319
CarPlay Issues negative
A significant number of users experience problems with Waze on Apple CarPlay. Common complaints include the map going blank, disappearing, or failing to load directions, especially when trying to view alternative routes or after recent updates. Some users also report audio issues with CarPlay.R311R370R382R398
Navigation Accuracy/Routing mixed
While some users praise Waze for its accurate navigation and real-time updates, others find its routing to be inconsistent, sometimes taking longer or illogical paths. There are also reports of the app struggling to maintain a route or changing its mind.R20R259R265R274
User Interface/Features negative
Reviewers mention several UI and feature-related issues. These include overly large icons and street names that obscure the map, a less flexible interface compared to competitors, and missing functionalities such as bus lane alerts, saving preferred routes, traffic light icons, or vehicle-specific routing for vans. Some users also desire options to search for hotels or along a route.R257R268R273R287

Who it's for

Waze is for drivers who prioritize real-time traffic updates and community-reported road conditions, and who are comfortable with the app's governing law and potential technical glitches. It is not for users who are concerned about their data being governed by Israeli law, or who require a consistently stable app experience, especially with Apple CarPlay.

Evidence note: The recent reviews show a strong bimodal distribution of sentiment. The 'Governing Law/Privacy' theme is almost exclusively from US reviewers and is overwhelmingly negative, heavily influencing the overall negative trajectory. Other technical issues are reported across different regions, indicating broader app stability concerns. The developer's notes mention fixing a bug for railroad crossing alerts, but recent reviews do not specifically address this. However, the notes also state 'all changes made in previous versions will be downloaded,' which is contradicted by ongoing reports of previously fixed CarPlay issues recurring .

Frequently asked

Is Waze now governed by Israeli law?
Yes, according to recent updates to Waze's Terms of Use, the service is now governed solely by the laws of the State of Israel, with disputes falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in the Tel Aviv district R4R7R10R12.
Are there issues with Waze on Apple CarPlay?
Yes, many users report significant issues with Waze on Apple CarPlay, including blank screens, maps disappearing, and the app freezing when trying to access alternative routes or after recent updates R311R370R382R398.
Does Waze frequently freeze or crash?
Yes, recent reviews indicate that Waze frequently freezes or crashes, particularly when users attempt to type in addresses, search for locations, or save new places R262R266R270R319.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R265] 5/5 · GB A diamond Sat Nav..: A diamond Sat Nav, I use it for a driving support tool as well as for navigation. It’s the only app in its class that appears to show in real time issues on the road with updates crucial to your everyday driving. Highly recommended.
  2. [R295] 5/5 · GB Glasgow: I love using it because of the regular updates on road, better than other apps
  3. [R296] 5/5 · GB Brilliant navigation app: Easy to use and very up to date with traffic high lights. Many perks to the app with the different features such as pot hole reports, live incident reports etc etc
  4. [R299] 5/5 · GB Perfect: This App just works, absolutely fantastic, I especially like that all the warnings are live all the time so I don't need a destination in it to get the said warnings, well done.
  5. [R259] 5/5 · GB Marion: I have been using Waze and find its great gets me to my destination without any stress.
  6. [R285] 5/5 · GB Love it: Used a number of sat navs but this is the best by far. Use Waze over my cars built in system any day. Just had to learn to trust it as it does take me some very strange routes- but always right.
  7. [R289] 5/5 · GB Mr Stephen: Absolutely the best ROUTE PLANNER
  8. [R321] 5/5 · GB Great app: Waze is very simple to use and accurate. The navigation guidance is clear and precise each point. Very happy for Waze to be a companion.
  9. [R254] 5/5 · GB Wazetastic: Fantastic program easily the best available and negates The need for a Tom Tom or Garmin device. What a bundle what a fantastic informative program I love it.
  10. [R317] 4/5 · GB GREAT APP: An exceptional app. The paid version of the built-in Merc Benz satnav is significantly inferior to Waze. Regrettably, the screen has been rendered completely white in recent times. I am optimistic that this issue will be resolved soon, as numerous users are experiencing the same problem.
  11. [R370] 3/5 · GB Great but bug fixes needed: As someone who drives for a living, Waze is way better for route suggestions, route planning, live traffic info, speed cameras etc. I was using google previously and Waze is definitely an improvement. HOWEVER, recently about 50% of the time the screen is blank when connected to car play and no amount of disconnecting, turning off and back on again etc. seems to fix it.
  12. [R1] 1/5 · US ISRAEL LAWS: why are we using an israeli law system?? in America??
  13. [R4] 1/5 · US Beware and read the Privacy Policy: Waze is controlled by the State of Israel. It’s in Waze’s TOS / PP. Israel is collecting your data. It’s right there for you to read. If you have a legal issue with the app it can not be resolved via US state laws, you will have to resolve your problem with Israel.
  14. [R6] 1/5 · US Israel runs this app?!: Why oh why does Waze’s new update state that it operates under Israeli law?! Deleted this app so damn fast
  15. [R7] 1/5 · US Big Fat Nope: GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION These Terms will be governed solely by the laws of the State of Israel, without giving effect to any conflicts of law principles. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of, connected with or relating to these Terms and the Service, will be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent court in the Tel Aviv district in Israel.
  16. [R262] 3/5 · GB Good but not perfect: Very good app in general but many little things cause the app to crash. Ie when trying to save a location and rename it, the app freezes every time.
  17. [R266] 4/5 · GB Needs an update: App needs an update, everytime i press the searchbox which says “where to” the search bar expands up and just freezes. However, if you slide the searchbox up to expand first so you can see more of the drive history and then press the searchbox it lets you then type the address
  18. [R270] 4/5 · GB App freezing issue: I’ve been using this app for years and it’s been an amazing app however recently it’s had a bug/issue. Where when you open the app and try to type in the address it freezes and you have to close the app multiple times just to write the address in. Please if you can look into this.
  19. [R319] 3/5 · GB Freezes on search. Very slow: Has started freezing every single time i go into into search. Updated regularly and even today again but still freezing and doesn’t get past the display of past places. Navigation can be quite odd with strange routes often taking the long way, or even the wrong way with no logic to it. Live traffic is not as live as it used to be!
  20. [R311] 3/5 · GB Great app but need to keep on top of updates: I’ve used Waze for years and it’s great. Last few months though it goes blank on CarPlay screen if you try to ask for alternative routes. This is a huge PITA as this is something I do ALL the time when I’m driving f long distance. The only way to fix is is to unplug the phone and reconnect, but even then it’s not possible to view alternative routes on
  21. [R382] 3/5 · GB Needs a lot of work: Constantly crashes when using Apple CarPlay since the latest iOS update - if you go into settings or alternate routes, or anything that changes the view you lose all map detail and just have a white cloud where the map should be, it’s still routing you (the alerts and upcoming turn notifications still pop up) but it’s pretty much unusable at the moment. Back to Google Maps I
  22. [R398] 3/5 · GB Was great …. Now flakey: Recently reliability of this app has fallen apart. Frequently get blank screens on CarPlay , and reads out every bend in the road as a turn…. Shame really was great, looks like quality has taken a ‘nose drive’
  23. [R20] 1/5 · US Terrible App: I used Waze for years, but with so many better navigation apps available now, I’ve realized just how poor its UI/UX is. It has repeatedly routed me onto roads with ongoing construction, one-way streets, and other frustrating detours. It used to be my go-to, but I can’t recommend it anymore.
  24. [R274] 3/5 · GB Struggling: Probably me but I’m really struggling with this app, it seems to set a route & then changes its mind & if I ignore instructions as I know where I am, it would send me completely the wrong way!!??
  25. [R738] 3/5 · AU Used to be better: I don’t know what has happened to the app but it is so glitchy now. You will put in somewhere for directions, it will give a time that is obviously wrong then your ETA will double and it will just glitch back and forth for a while. It also doesn’t even take you the quickest way half the time, I will go a way I know is quicker and it will drop like 5-10mins off. Needs a revamp I
  26. [R273] 3/5 · GB Too big icons: Icons with name of the streets or road cover icon of car, most times when is crossroads I can’t see where I have to go because name of the streets are so big
  27. [R268] 4/5 · GB Amazing app but needs improvement: Genuinely amazing app for navigation way better then google maps but I would say the only downside to the app is them massive road sign names the shows on the app which sometimes covers the whole roundabout. If you could make a feature where you could make the road name signs smaller or just make a setting feature that you can change the size of them that would b
  28. [R257] 3/5 · GB not bad: hope can have bus lane alert
  29. [R287] 3/5 · GB Could be better: Having an option to save prefferd routes would make my life and everyone’s life so much easier. I like to use the same route for a lot of places and Waze gives me a different route. Having an option to save or favourite a route would be great Thankyou. Give me a check when you have done that xx
  30. [R316] 4/5 · GB Edit: Minions are back 🥳: Great app but please bring back the Minions. All the other novelty voices are pants! Also, please add the option to choose a van as your vehicle and select appropriate routes. I have to choose the private car option which causes the app to keep trying to send me through Rotherhithe tunnel where I’m not allowed. It’s then a nightmare trying to reroute so I have to switch
  31. [R322] 3/5 · GB No traffic light on the map 😅: Waze is a good tool but need to improve the navigation map with traffic lights !!
  32. [R272] 3/5 · GB Unsure what happened: Used to be a brilliant app, however now I’m not even able to register. They say they’ll send me a code to my email, but no code is sent - only a “click to verify account” link which is broken. Had issues since Thursday night. Trying to register with google also doesn’t help.
  33. [R10] 2/5 · US surveillance??: read the terms and conditions. it’s alarming. especially under the “GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION” section.
  34. [R12] 1/5 · US Free 🇵🇸: Terms & Conditions are now solely governed by Israel

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store