By Devcipator | No-Code and Low-Code Development Agency
If you are building a location-based app in Bubble.io, maps are one of the most important features you will need to get right. Whether you are working on a delivery app, a booking system, a business directory, or any platform that relies on geographic data, having a fully dynamic and interactive map inside your Bubble app can make a huge difference in user experience.
In Part 9 of our complete Bubble.io training series, we cover everything you need to know about implementing advanced maps inside Bubble, from adding markers and connecting them to your database, to showing the user’s current location, creating routes, and using Google eyeframes.
Watch the full video here: [paste your YouTube link]
Also check out these related resources: Google Map Extended Video: https://youtu.be/znzd0FEUkLo?si=R4QxA2WRSqmC9Rr9 Setup Google API Keys: https://youtu.be/ouGT55o68ho?si=lckKrdXrfRqP78rz Part 10 Stripe Implementation: https://youtu.be/-AA1t2XVrds?si=a6RlLT9BaEk9BG9w
Why Maps Matter in Bubble.io Apps
Maps are not just a visual feature. In many app categories, they are the core of the entire user experience. A delivery app without a live map is incomplete. A booking platform without location search loses half its value. A directory app without map markers is just a list.
Bubble.io has solid built-in support for maps through its geographic data types and map element, and when combined with the Google Maps API, the possibilities are extensive. This tutorial covers how to unlock all of that functionality inside your Bubble app correctly and efficiently.
Who Is This Tutorial For?
This tutorial is ideal for:
Bubble.io developers building location-based applications No-code builders working on delivery, logistics, or booking platforms Anyone building a business directory or local services app in Bubble Developers in the training series who are following along from Part 1
A basic familiarity with Bubble.io workflows is helpful, but we explain each feature clearly enough for developers at any level to follow along.
Before You Start: Google API Keys
To use maps in Bubble.io, you need to have your Google Maps API keys correctly configured. If you have not done this yet, watch our dedicated Google API Keys setup video before continuing:
Setup Google API Keys: https://youtu.be/ouGT55o68ho?si=lckKrdXrfRqP78rz
Adding and Customizing Maps in Bubble.io
The first step is adding the Map element to your Bubble page. Drag it onto your page from the element menu and resize it to fit your layout.
Inside the map element settings, you can configure the default zoom level, the center point of the map, and whether map controls like zoom buttons and the street view toggle are visible to users.
Bubble’s map element connects directly to geographic address data stored in your database, which is what makes it possible to render dynamic, data-driven maps that update in real time based on your app’s content.
Adding Markers With Dynamic Locations
Static markers on a map are useful, but dynamic markers connected to your database are what make a map truly powerful.
To add dynamic markers in Bubble, configure the map element to display a list of geographic addresses from a data type in your database. Each record with a geographic address field will appear as a marker on the map automatically.
You can also customize marker behavior by adding click actions that open popups, navigate to detail pages, or trigger workflows based on which marker a user selects. This is particularly useful for directory apps and booking platforms where users need to interact with specific locations.
Using Google Eyeframes in Bubble
Google eyeframes, also known as Street View, allow users to see a ground-level view of a location directly inside your Bubble app. This is a powerful feature for real estate apps, tourism platforms, and any app where users benefit from seeing what a location actually looks like at street level.
In this part of the tutorial, we walk through how to embed a Google Street View eyeframe into your Bubble app and connect it to dynamic location data so it updates based on the currently selected map marker or address.
Showing the User’s Current Location on the Map
Displaying the user’s current location is a standard feature in most location-based apps and Bubble.io supports it natively.
Using Bubble’s built-in geographic detection capability, you can retrieve the user’s current coordinates and use them to center the map, add a marker at their position, or calculate distances to nearby listings or services in your database.
In this tutorial, we cover how to set this up correctly and how to handle cases where the user denies location permission in their browser.
Creating Routes and Displaying Directions
Routes are one of the most requested map features for delivery and logistics apps. In this section of the tutorial, we walk through how to display a route between two points on a Bubble map, such as a driver’s current location and a delivery destination.
This is done by connecting the map element to origin and destination geographic data and enabling the directions feature inside the map settings. The result is a live route displayed directly on your Bubble app’s map, powered by Google Maps routing data.
Connecting Maps With Dynamic Database Locations
One of the most powerful aspects of Bubble’s map element is how seamlessly it connects to your database. Any data type that includes a geographic address field can be displayed on a map, and the map updates automatically as your data changes.
This means you can build apps where new listings, drivers, service providers, or any other location-based records appear on the map in real time without any additional configuration. The connection between your database and your map is live and automatic.
Zoom Controls and Interactive Map Features
Zoom controls allow users to explore the map at different levels of detail, zooming in to see individual streets or zooming out to see a broader geographic area. In this tutorial, we cover how to enable and configure zoom controls in Bubble’s map element and how to set a default zoom level that makes sense for your app’s use case.
We also cover other interactive features such as map type switching between roadmap and satellite views, and how to control which native Google Maps controls are visible to your users.
Use Cases That Benefit Most From This Tutorial
Delivery and logistics apps that need live driver tracking and route display Booking platforms that show available providers or venues on a map Business directory apps that let users browse listings by location Real estate apps that display properties on an interactive map with Street View Tourism and travel apps that help users explore locations visually
Watch the Full Video Tutorial
Every step covered in this guide is demonstrated in full detail in Part 9 of our Bubble.io training series:
Part 9 | Maps in Bubble.io | Complete Guide to Markers, Eyeframes, User Location, Routes and Zoom
Watch it here: https://youtu.be/ot_jfPGnOlU
Related resources: Google Map Extended Video: https://youtu.be/znzd0FEUkLo?si=R4QxA2WRSqmC9Rr9 Setup Google API Keys: https://youtu.be/ouGT55o68ho?si=lckKrdXrfRqP78rz Part 10 Stripe Implementation: https://youtu.be/-AA1t2XVrds?si=a6RlLT9BaEk9BG9w
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the Google Maps API to use maps in Bubble.io? Yes. Bubble.io’s map element requires a valid Google Maps API key to function. Make sure you have set up your API keys correctly before adding maps to your app. Watch our API keys setup video here: https://youtu.be/ouGT55o68ho?si=lckKrdXrfRqP78rz
Can I display multiple markers on a Bubble.io map at the same time? Yes. By connecting the map element to a list of geographic addresses from your database, Bubble will automatically render a marker for each record on the map simultaneously.
How do I show the user’s current location in a Bubble app? Bubble.io supports geographic detection natively. You can retrieve the user’s current location using a workflow action and use it to center the map or add a marker at their position.
Can I display driving routes between two locations in Bubble.io? Yes. Bubble’s map element supports directions between an origin and destination. This is covered in detail in Part 9 of our training series.
What is a Google eyeframe and how does it work in Bubble? A Google eyeframe, also known as Street View, allows users to see a ground-level photographic view of a location. In Bubble, you can embed Street View and connect it to dynamic location data so it updates based on selected map markers or addresses.