How to find locations and get directions with Maps on iPhone and iPad

Apple Maps on iPadOS 13
Apple Maps on iPadOS 13 (Image credit: iMore)

The native Maps app on iPhone and iPad allows you to not only find locations but also get directions, with no additional navigation app required. Here are all of the things you can do with this ever-impressive app.l

How to view and share your current location

Before starting a long (or short) trip, you may want to consider alerting someone of your current and ongoing location. That way, they will know when you make it to your destination safely.

How to bring up your current location

  1. Tap on the Maps app on your device.
  2. Choose the location icon at the top right of the app.

To find your current location, tap on the Maps app, then choose the location icon at the top right. (Image credit: iMore)

How to mark your current location

  1. Tap on your current location in the Maps app.
  2. Choose Mark My Location.

To mark your location, tap on your current location. Select Mark My Location (Image credit: iMore)

Sharing your current location

  1. Tap on your current location in the Maps app.
  2. Choose Share My Location.
  3. Select how to share your location from the choices in the share sheet. You can share your location through Messages, email, AirDrop, Reminders, your favorite social networks, and more.

To share your location, tap on your current location on the map. Choose Share My Location then decide how to share from the share sheet (Image credit: iMore)

How to change your map view

You can change the look in the Maps app. Choices include Maps (the default view), Transit, and Satellite. To change the view:

  1. Tap on the Maps app on your device.
  2. Search for the location you wish to map.
  3. Tap the "information" icon at the top right.

To change the Maps view, tap on the Maps app, then search for your location. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose between Maps, Transit, and Satellite as your view.

To change the Maps view, choose between Maps, Transit, and Satellite (Image credit: iMore)

How to browse or search for a location

There are various ways to browse or search for a location in the Maps app. Each is located directly on the main Maps app page.

Using Search:

  1. Tap on the Maps app on your device.
  2. Use the Search box to find a place or address.

To search on Apple Maps app, tap on the app on the Home page, then use the search box to find a place or address (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap on the location to view it on a map.
  2. Choose Directions to path your trip, if applicable.

Under the search results, tap on the location. Choose Directions to path your trip. (Image credit: iMore)

Find nearby locations:

  1. Tap on the Maps app on your device.
  2. Choose the location icon at the top right of the app, so the map is centered on your current location.

To find your current location, tap on the Maps app, then choose the location icon at the top right. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select the Search box.
  2. Choose from the many categories under Find Nearby. For example, tap Restaurants to find places near your current location to eat.

To find a nearby location, select the Search box, then choose a category under Find Nearby (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap on a location found under the category you selected.
  2. Choose Directions for information on how to get to the place from your current location. You can also scroll down for additional information.

To find a nearby location, tap on a location under the category you selected, then choose Directions for information on how to get there. You can also scroll down for more information (Image credit: iMore)

Use Siri suggestions and previous locations:

On the main Maps screen, you can also see a listing of Siri's suggestions and previous locations. Simply tap on the listed site for more information.

How to select a route in Maps on iPhone and iPad

When creating a path to a location in the Maps app, Apple might give you more than one option. You can select the one you want as follows:

  1. Tap on the Maps app on your device.
  2. Use the Search box to find a place or address.

To search on Apple Maps app, tap on the app on the Home page, then use the search box to find a place or address (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose Directions to path your trip.

Under the search results, tap on the location. Choose Directions to path your trip. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select the path on the map you wish to take.

Choose the path on the map you wish to take. (Image credit: iMore)

Change the directions options

You can change how you wish to get to your location in the Maps app. The choices are driving, walking, transit, or ride-share. After mapping a path (see above), tap on the appropriate icon. Choose Go to begin your travels.

You can select the type of travel you can make on a route (Image credit: iMore)

How to master turn-by-turn directions

While using turn-by-turn directions in the Maps app, you can perform various tasks, including the following.

How to add or remove a stop on your route

Need gas or a quick coffee on your route while you drive? Maps offer easy-to-press buttons to quickly search for the nearest available gas stations, food options, and coffee while you're on the road.

  1. In Maps's directions mode, swipe up on the bottom toolbar to reveal additional options.
  2. Tap the type of location you wish to find. For example, gas stations, restaurants/fast food, coffee, or more.
  3. You can scroll through the pop-over to view places along with their additional route time. To choose a stop on your route, just tap the green Go button, and the stop will be added immediately.
  4. Decided to skip that location after all? You can remove the stop at any time by tapping the blue Resume Route To banner at the top of the screen.

How to view your full route on the map or in text form

Do you want to get a birds' eye view of your route? Use the Overview button.

  1. In Maps's directions mode, swipe up on the bottom toolbar to reveal additional options.
  2. Tap the Overview button. Your map area will zoom out to show your full trip.
  3. To return to the turn-by-turn map screen, swipe up on the bottom toolbar and press Resume.

If you instead want to see your full route as turn-by-turn text directions, you can do that, too.

  1. In Maps's directions mode, swipe up on the bottom toolbar to reveal additional options.
  2. Tap the Details button to reveal the full list of directions.
  3. To return to the turn-by-turn map screen, tap the Done button.

How to change the guidance volume for your directions

  1. In Maps's directions mode, swipe up on the bottom toolbar to reveal additional options.
  2. Tap on the Audio button.
  3. Under the Navigation Voice preferences, choose which you prefer: No Voice, Low Volume, Normal Volume, Loud Volume. If you've chosen an audible directions option, you can also decide whether to pause spoken audio (like podcasts or audiobooks) when the Maps app's voice interjects.

How to end turn-by-turn navigation

When you complete your navigation, the Maps app will announce your arrival and automatically end its directions, returning you to the general map screen. If you want to close your iPhone or iPad's directions earlier, however, you need only press the big red End button, followed by the End Route confirmation.

What's coming?

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

Changes are coming to the Maps app in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. These include the introduction of cycling directions that will consist of bike lanes, paths, and roads. Electric vehicle routing is also incoming.

Apple also plans on introducing expanding travel guides in the new software releases. The guides will automatically update when new places get added.

Questions about Maps?

Let us know in the comments!

Updated July 2020: Updated to mention iOS 14/iPadOS 14. Serenity Caldwell worked on a previous version of this post.

Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.