iOS 17 lets you download an area in Apple Maps for offline use. This is incredibly useful when you know you’re traveling to a place with spotty or no cell service.
Even if you have great service where you are, it won’t hurt to download an offline map of the area just in case, so whether you have five bars or zero, you have peace of mind that you’ll be able to get around. Here’s how to download offline maps and access them when you’re ready.
To download a particular map, just search for a place with a surrounding area you want to download. If you want to download an entire city, just type in that city in Apple Maps. In iOS 17, you’ll see a newDownloadbutton appear right next toDirections. These instructions also work if you press and hold on a particular point in Apple Maps and drop a pin.
If you want to download some custom area that isn’t directly associated with a city, for example, a community around a particular address, search for the address first and then find theDownloadbutton tucked away in theellipsis (…)menu instead.
From here, resize the highlighted portion on the map while being mindful of the file size at the bottom, and tapDownload.
How to Access Your Offline Maps in Apple Maps
Apple Maps’offline feature works similarly to Google Maps. Once you have an offline map to use, the feature will automatically kick in if you don’t have any internet service. You’ll be able to search for places and directions like normal, but instead, only results from within the boundaries of your downloads will appear.
To manage your downloaded maps, tap your profile icon next to the Maps search bar, then tapOffline Maps. Tap a map to either resize the area it encompasses (which will trigger a new download) or delete it. You can also see related settings likeOptimize Storage, an iPhone feature that automatically removes older data you’re no longer using—in this case, maps.
Offline Maps Are Perfect for Questionable Travel Circumstances
Now that you know how to download, access, and manage all your offline maps, you should be protected in less-than-ideal circumstances. If your iPhone storage allows it, it’s worth downloading maps for all the places you frequently visit to cover your bases and ensure you always have directions and a bird’s-eye view.
