Who Owns HERE WeGo?

HERE WeGo's origins trace back to 1985, when Karlin & Collins founded Navigation Technologies Corporation (later shortened to Navteq) in Chicago, Illinois. Navteq built its business by creating digital map databases for automotive navigation systems, becoming one of the two dominant global map data providers alongside Tele Atlas (later acquired by TomTom).

In 2007, Nokia acquired Navteq for $8.1 billion, integrating the company into its Location & Commerce unit. Nokia ran Navteq's business alongside its own Nokia Maps (originally launched as Ovi Maps in 2007), gradually merging the two operations. In 2012, Nokia rebranded the combined mapping division as HERE, bringing together Navteq's map data infrastructure with Nokia's consumer mapping applications.

The HERE Maps consumer app was launched in 2012, initially available on Nokia Lumia Windows Phone devices. The app provided turn-by-turn navigation, offline maps, and transit directions. When Nokia sold its devices and services business to Microsoft in 2014, HERE Maps remained with Nokia as part of the HERE division.

In 2015, Nokia sold HERE to the German automotive consortium. Following the acquisition, the new owners invested in expanding HERE's mapping capabilities, particularly for automotive applications. The consumer app was rebranded as HERE WeGo in 2016, reflecting a renewed focus on the consumer navigation market.

HERE WeGo launched on iOS and Android, bringing the app beyond its Windows Phone origins. The app differentiated itself through strong public transit integration, offline navigation, and pedestrian-friendly features. In 2017, HERE WeGo added real-time traffic information powered by probe data from connected vehicles and mobile devices.

Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, HERE WeGo expanded its coverage and features. The app added cycling directions, ride-sharing integration, and multi-modal routing that combined walking, transit, and ride-sharing options. HERE also introduced 3D landmarks and indoor venue maps for major buildings and transportation hubs.

In 2022, HERE WeGo added electric vehicle routing, allowing drivers to plan routes with charging stops based on their vehicle's range and charging network availability. The app also improved its real-time traffic capabilities using HERE's LiveSense AI technology, which processes sensor data from connected vehicles to detect traffic conditions.

In 2024 and 2025, HERE continued to invest in its consumer app while focusing primarily on its B2B automotive and enterprise business. HERE WeGo added improved lane guidance, junction views, and speed limit displays. The app also integrated with HERE's Unimaps platform, which unifies map data from multiple sources into a single, consistent global map.

As of 2026, HERE WeGo is available in 196 countries on iOS, Android, and web browsers. The app remains free to use, supported by HERE's broader B2B revenue model. This makes HERE WeGo one of the few major navigation apps not tied to an advertising-driven business model or a hardware ecosystem.