Apple’s built-in apps are getting new features in iOS 18, and that includes Maps. While Maps doesn’t have any fun new AI additions, Apple is saving some useful changes.
Hiking Course
Apple added topographic maps to Apple Watch last year, and now detailed topographic maps are available on iPhone. The Maps app offers detailed trail networks and hikes, including in 63 U.S. national parks.
When you search for “hiking” or “hiking routes” in the Maps app, you’ll see options for trails near you, and Apple provides hike length, elevation, grade, and other details.
Hikes can be filtered by length, route type (loop, point-to-point, round trip), elevation, and saved for offline access.
You can zoom in on a hiking area to see a specific trail or search for a trail. When you tap on a trail, Apple provides information including length, highest point, lowest point, and distance. You can also get a full overview of the trail route and get the length of each section.
Trails and hikes are separate entities in the Maps app. When you search for a hike, you are basically taken to a general area with a specific trail, and you can zoom in on the Maps app to find the trail you want to go on.
Custom path
Apple Maps supports custom routing in iOS 18, so you can plan a specific hiking route you want to take. You can start the custom routing experience by tapping the “Create Custom Route” option at a trailhead.
From there, tap on the map to begin setting points for your route, and the map app will provide you with length and elevation details. You can also tap on the reverse, round trip, or close loop options to have the map app automatically complete your route.
For hiking or walking trails, map apps don’t let you create unsafe routes that don’t follow existing trails, making it difficult to create dangerous maps of nowhere.
Route creation isn’t limited to hikes and trails. You can add a fixed location to the map, tap the “More” option, and then choose Create Custom Route.
Search here
Apple has made it easier to search for places you’re thinking about visiting or want to explore by adding a “Search Here” button. Search for a place like San Diego, then tap Search to search for the area on your screen, not your actual location.
When you search for something and then pan the map, your search will reliably update in the new location. When you zoom in, a dedicated “Search Here” button appears, giving you more control over where you want to search.
Save to Favorites
If you find a hike, trail, or custom route that you like, you can save it to your library for later use. To do this, find the relevant hike and tap the “Add to Library” button.
You can rename your hiking trail, add specific information you want to revisit later, and even download the route for offline use.
When you see a location on the map, including a hike, tapping the “+” button will add that location to your library as well.
Your favorites are stored in the Maps app and can be accessed by tapping your profile picture and selecting the Library section.
library
All saved content from the Maps app, including locations, routes, guides, and pins, is now stored in a new Library section in the Maps app, rather than in a separate section as in iOS 17.
The library also displays all recently added content.
Note
You can tap anywhere in the Maps app and select the Add Note option from the menu. There you can write down anything you want to remember about the location.
Notes are private and stored on your device. They are visible only to the person who created the note.
Read more
For more information on the new features Apple added to iOS 18, check out our iOS 18 summary.
