Apple Maps in iOS 18 will have a major revamp with added routes for hiking, discovering new places and adapting a new library of locations to our liking
iOS 18 is very close to being released, in all likelihood the exact date will be known on the day of the iPhone 16 launch. Apple is accelerating the pace due to Apple Intelligence and iOS 18.1 but apart from this great novelty, One of the native apps that has received major changes in terms of its functions is Apple Maps. You may have kept it away from your favorite apps because of its navigation or interface. The reality is that now It has interesting new features, from walking and hikingto planning your own routes and discovering new places. Thanks to iMorewe show you what’s new in Apple Maps in iOS 18.
Hiking will be easier with the support of Apple Maps
New hiking-related features are included as You will be able to obtain a topographic view of them. This will help you to have a better understanding of the route you are planning. It is worth mentioning that this feature will currently be limited to the United States and Japan. We do not doubt that in the next iOS 18 updates support for Spain will be added.
To explore hiking trails, simply type the word “hike” or “hikes” if your region is set to the United States.Hiking searches use a green icon, make sure to select it. You will see a preview of the selected route.
Other keywords for searching for routes are related to “hike trail” or “trail”. The difference between the latter is that they will show you the complete directions, from start to finish.
Topographic maps in Apple Maps
Create your own custom hiking or walking route
If you were used to following Apple’s directions to walk a route, this is no longer mandatory. iOS 18 lets you create your own routes in an easy way. Follow these steps:
- In the search box type “trailheads”
- Locate the routes with the green icon and touch onethen confirm Create a custom route. For a hiking route, tap your profile icon and go to Library, then Routes and confirm Create route
- Now it’s time to create the route, Tap the locations on the map to build it. The app will show you the total distance, duration and elevation of the route.
- Options will be added for Reverse, Round Trip and Close Loop. Reverse will change the order of the route, Round Trip will create the route to the end point and retrace your steps, and Close Loop will finish creating the route to the start point.
- Click Save to give a custom name to the created route.
You can start exploring it using the Directions button and you can activate the download switch at the bottom if it is an unstable area and you require the route offline.
Get to know new places and interact with them
Discovering new places is now easier with Apple Maps in iOS 18. Photo: iMore
One thing Google Maps has gained is the recognition of public places, the use of reviews and other details to distinguish itself. Now Apple Maps joins this trend to interact with bars, shops and other public places that you can save in your library..
It will be easier to discover places like restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals, etc. Just type what you want and move over the map to press the Search here button. If you wish you keep a place to see it later, Tap on the location and then confirm with the plus button on the card to add it to your Places library. If you want to add details or notes about that place at that point, tap Add a note. You can also do the same for places that aren’t in your library by selecting them, tapping the Plus sign, and then confirming that you want to add a note.
Another interesting feature of Apple Maps in iOS 18 allows you to save custom locations that are not a physical place, i.e. By holding down on a place on the map you can place a pin. Once this is done, scroll down your screen and tap on Pin in the information card. This will create a new category where these locations will be added.
Without a doubt, These new features in Apple Maps will serve as a new vote of confidence that users will grant if they are convincedWe hope that Apple will enable hiking trails in Spain as soon as possible, as there are other apps that cover these details effortlessly. It was recently announced that the “Look Around” feature will be expanded to other countries such as Mexico.