Top 10 Apple Maps Tips and Tricks

At one point or another, we’ll all have to travel to someplace unknown with the help of GPS. Thankfully, Apple’s own Maps application makes traveling much easier with its suite of navigation and location features. To ensure that your commute, dinner plans, road trip or family outing goes smoothly, here’s a list of the most essential and useful features in Maps.

10. View Nearby Traffic

Maps has a useful feature that lets you easily view the traffic situation on nearby roads and highways — letting you plan accordingly.

To toggle the feature on or off, just tap the Info icon in the upper-right, and ensure that Traffic is toggled On. Nearby roads will be highlighted in yellow, orange or red — depending on how bad traffic currently is.

9. Compass Mode

Most of us know that the iPhone has a Compass app, but fewer people know that Maps has a built-in compass. This is especially useful for navigating streets in a city you’re not familiar with, or while hiking, running or cycling.

If you need a sense of direction while navigating, simply tap on the arrow-like Location icon. Once Maps pinpoints your location, the app will automatically go into Compass mode.

8. Avoid Tolls & Highways

If you’d like to avoid toll roads, or you would just rather take surface streets to a particular location, Maps lets you toggle each of these options off when setting new routes.

To do so, just input directions to a location, swipe up and tap on Driving Options, and toggle either Tolls or Highways off.

7. Adjust Navigation Volume

If you’re navigating to a new location, but you’re tired of hearing Siri interrupt your music or podcast, you can adjust the navigation volume so you can listen in peace.

To do so, simply go to..

1. Settings.
2. Maps.
3. Driving and Navigation.
4. Then choose from the various options underneath Navigation Voice Volume.

6. Easily Share Your Location

This isn’t strictly a Maps feature, but it ties into iOS’ navigation suite. iOS lets you easily send your location to your friend or friends, so they can get directions directly to you.

To send your location..

1. Open Messages and find the message thread in question.
2. Tap on the Info icon in the upper-right, and select either Send Current Location or Share My Location.
3. ‘Send Current Location’ will send a pin to where you currently are, ‘Share My Location’ will track your location while you move.

5. Add To and View Favorites

Maps has a Favorites list that lets you add frequented locations, which are then viewable later. To add location to your favorites..

1. Tap or search for any location to bring up its information card.
2. Scroll to the bottom, and tap Add to Favorites.
3. To view your Favorites list, in Maps, simply tap on the search field (or swipe-up from the search bar), scroll all the way down, and tap on the Favorites option.

4. Browse Locations by Category

If you’d like to see local locations and restaurants by category, rather than searching for a specific one, just tap on the Search bar. You can even narrow down your search even further with specific options.

Under Food, for example, tap on Restaurants. At the very bottom of the app, you’ll see filters for specific categories of restaurants, such as Mexican, Pizza, Breakfast & Brunch, Italian, etc.

3. View Landmarks in 3D

While not necessarily a navigation feature, Maps lets you “fly over” certain cities or landmarks, letting you view the area in question in 3D from the air.

To use the Flyover, just type a particular landmark, city or location, and tap the Flyover Tour button on the information card that pops up. Note that not all cities feature Flyover tours.

2. Clear Maps Location History

If, at any point, you don’t want Maps to keep track of the locations you visit or search for, you can easily clear this information from the app. Go to..

1. Settings.
2. Privacy.
3. Location Services.
4. Scroll all the way down and tap on System Services.
5. From here, just go to Frequent Locations and tap on Clear History.

1. Find a Parked Car

In iOS 10, Apple has added an extremely handy feature — the ability to never lose your car again. Maps will do this automatically, albeit only if phone is connected to your car via CarPlay or Bluetooth.

To ensure that this feature is set up, just go to..

1. Settings.
2. Maps.
3. Your Car .
4. Then toggle Show Parked Location to On.

There’s even an option to snap a picture to go with your parked location, or jot down details in a notes field.