Apple has been hard at work enhancing its mapping capabilities via Apple Maps. iOS users have seen a steady stream of enhancements and new capabilities with each new release. Apple Maps finally has offline map support with the beta release of iOS 17. Users of the Apple Watch and the iPhone can access the feature.
We’ll examine the process of downloading maps for offline use, as well as other aspects of using Apple Maps offline on iOS 17.
Previously unavailable on Apple Maps, users can now save localized sections of the map to their iPhones for offline use. Users can see details like hours and ratings on place cards and get turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling, or taking public transport with the maps downloaded for offline use.
Read on for a comprehensive guide on how to access these functions on your iPhone while traveling without cell service.
How to Download Maps for Offline Use on iPhone
With iOS 17, you can save maps to your iPhone and use them without an internet connection. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Malaysia, Romania, Singapore, Spain, and some countries in Europe are among those that currently support the feature. These instructions will help you get offline maps on your iPhone if you live in one of these areas.
- Open the Apple Maps app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your Photo or Avartar in the bottom left corner.
- Select the Offline Maps.
- Select Download New Map and search the area or region you want to download.
- Apple Maps will prompt you to select the specific area you want to download. You can easily zoom in and out to adjust the area. Once satisfied, tap Download.
- That’s it.
Using Apple Maps Offline on iPhone
If you have saved maps on your iPhone, and you connect it to a Wi-Fi network, those maps will be updated automatically. If you want to use the Maps offline, follow these steps.

- Open the Apple Maps app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your Avatar.
- Select Offline Maps options.
- In the Settings, turn the toggle on for Only Use Offline Maps.
- That’s it.
Additional Tips for Efficient Offline Map Usage:
- Keep in mind that offline maps have limited updates, so it’s a good practice to refresh them periodically. You can visit the Offline Maps settings turn on the Automatic Updates or do it manually.
- While downloading the offline maps, try selecting the smaller region, or specific region that you need. Selecting larger areas for download can significantly increase the size of the download, consuming more storage on your device. There’s an Optimize storage option in the settings if you ever want to free up some space.
- Download maps for the areas you anticipate visiting, especially if you’re traveling to remote locations with unreliable connectivity.
- Offline maps help you save battery, as they reduce the need for constant data usage and GPS connectivity.
Does Apple Maps Work Offline?
If you have an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, you can use Apple Maps offline without any issues. In other words, you won’t need an active internet connection to use features like maps, directions, and finding points of interest. When you’re in an area with spotty or no cell service, this comes in especially handy.
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