[commoner]

Google Maps doesn't require the Google Play Store, but it does require Google Play Services (like most Google apps).

https://developer.android.com/distribute/play-services/

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and...

MicroG can replace the Google Play Services requirement for Google Maps. To download Google Maps without the official Google Play Store client, you can use the free and open source Aurora Store:

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.dragons.aurora/

[3xblah]

"Google Maps doesn't require Google Play Store, but it does require Google Play Services..."

On the phones I have tested Google Maps works with Google Play Services turned off.

[commoner]

Google Maps is marked as dependent on the Google Services Framework, but it clearly doesn't use the same map tile rendering system that MicroG uses. I guess Google Play Services is only used for the logged-in features, which privacy-conscious users would avoid.

[3xblah]

This could be the explanation. I never log in. :)

Irrespective of privacy, I am just not interested in the personalisation or, e.g., reading email on a phone.

[commoner]

I don't log in either, but Google Maps has an offline navigation feature that's restricted to logged in users:

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838

Instead of using this, I have Here WeGo installed as a backup app for offline navigation:

https://wego.here.com/