A third of iPhone users opt for Google Maps

Google Maps was downloaded on 29 per cent of US iPhones within two weeks of re-launch, according to a study by Onavo Insights.

Google Maps returned to the iPhone in late 2012, after Apple's much-criticised attempt to bring its own in-house mapping system to iOS. According to Onavo Insights, Google's Maps quickly spread to iOS users last December.

"The reappearance of Google's Maps in the App Store on 13 December, 2012 was a great day for both iPhone users and Google," wrote Onavo Insights in a blog post on their findings.

"Not only did iPhone users run to the App Store, at least metaphorically, to update their devices with superb maps, satellite and navigation tools, but Google also got to see remarkable adoption of its new app."

Apple dropped Google Maps from iOS last year, when it updated the OS to coincide with the release of the iPhone 5. The new version of iOS featured Apple's own map app.

Unfortunately for Apple, the new mapping system received heaps of criticism with users who felt the new app was released undercooked.

The new Apple Maps received so much criticism that company chief executive Tim Cook apologised for the issue plaguing the app. Apple's fiasco was even reported to be a reason for the dismissal of the company's former executive Scott Forstall.

Following the issues with Apple Maps, Google submitted its mapping system to the iOS App Store. The app was available to iPhone users as download optional software for the device.

According to Onavo Insights, the mobile application gained almost 30 percent of the US iPhone market before the end of the year.

Onavo Insights also found that another Google app that had been cut, YouTube, was on almost half (44 percent) of US iPhones after its relaunch. 

To come up with its results Onavo Insights studied iPhone app data requests between the 16 and 31 December 2012.