One of many huge new options coming in iOS 17 is the addition of offline maps to Apple Maps, which helps you to obtain a map area forward of time and navigate with out Wi-Fi or cell service.
Though a number of years behind Google Maps, the Apple Maps implementation of offline maps may be very nicely carried out. In reality, it’s even clever sufficient to remind you to obtain an offline map upfront, if you’re getting instructions to an space with poor reception.
The element was first noticed by u/freaktheclown on Reddit and could be reproduced within the newest iOS 17 betas.
When planning a route on an iPhone operating iOS 17, Apple Maps will look forward and test to see the cell service of your route. If it is aware of that the cell service will likely be poor earlier than you get to your vacation spot, the route choices display screen will robotically embrace a hyperlink to obtain a map that covers your route.
Which means you received’t be caught misplaced when you set off, resulting from an absence of community connectivity. At this stage, it’s a bit unclear how Apple Maps determines whether or not to indicate the ‘restricted service’ warning. Maybe, it’s based mostly on telemetry collected by different Apple Maps customers. It might even be area restricted; we may solely make it seem for US nationwide parks, however it’s potential it rolls out extra broadly over time.
As soon as downloaded, you possibly can handle your assortment of offline maps by tapping in your profile image contained in the Maps app. Computerized updates signifies that Apple Maps periodically updates your downloaded maps with the most recent POI and cartography, in your behalf. This implies the maps by no means go old-fashioned.
Downloaded maps are additionally browsable in your Apple Watch, if the paired iPhone is close by.
Different enhancements to Apple Maps with iOS 17 embrace an improve to the expertise for EV house owners. Maps can now combine real-time availability info for charging areas with assist for Tesla Supercharger community, Chargepoint, Electrify America and extra.
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.