I’ve been desirous to ditch Google Maps for some time however one factor held me again: offline maps. Apple Maps was, till just lately, mainly ineffective with out an web connection, and since I prefer to hike (which includes touring to locations with no cell sign) I used to be caught with Google.
Now not. Among the best new iOS 17 options is offline maps for Apple Maps. Now you can choose areas to obtain to your telephone, permitting you to make use of turn-by-turn navigation and even search with out an web connection.
Be aware that iOS 17 is at the moment a public beta. You’ll be able to join it to check the newest options, however you must know that signing up for any beta program just isn’t with out threat. If having a sneak peek at Apple’s new working system model just isn’t value working into the occasional bug or error, then perhaps you must wait till the official launch in October 2023. However for those who’re already utilizing iOS 17, let’s dive in.
The best way to obtain maps on Apple Maps
To get began, open Apple Maps, faucet the circle along with your picture or initials to the fitting of the search field and select Offline Maps within the menu. On the following display, go to Obtain New Map.
[Related: 5 uses for Google Maps beyond navigation]
Apple Maps will ask you to sort the title of the town, area or common space you wish to obtain. The app will present you a preview of the map you regarded for and a cropping field which you’ll resize to pick out how a lot of it you wish to obtain—simply pinch to zoom in or out and choose an even bigger or smaller space.
Greater maps will take up extra cupboard space, and also you’ll be capable of see how a lot on the backside of the display. For those who’ll be masking a big space, make sure you release area in your iPhone. Once you’re happy, faucet Obtain and your gadget will do its factor.
[Related: How to hide your house on every map app]
By default, your iPhone will solely obtain offline maps whilst you’re linked to a Wi-Fi community, but when that you must, you possibly can change that by tapping the Downloads choice within the offline maps settings. To be sure to at all times have the newest potential data, Apple Maps will periodically and routinely replace your offline maps, although the corporate doesn’t say how typically the app will do that. For those who’re not planning on utilizing your downloaded map once more, you possibly can flip these automated updates off within the settings. Lastly, for those who’re the kind of one that forgets to delete offline maps after a trip after which wonders why their telephone by no means has any obtainable storage, you possibly can activate an non-obligatory Optimize Storage toggle change, which can delete maps that you just’re not utilizing anymore after a sure time frame.
The offline maps characteristic makes Apple Maps a real competitor to Google Maps, particularly after you switch your pinned objects over. I’m undecided if I’ll ever set up Google Maps on my iPhone once more.