How to download maps to use offline on your iPhone

With Maps in iOS 17 or later, use offline maps to access information such as opening hours and ratings for places, turn-by-turn directions and estimated arrival times.

Three ways to download offline maps in iOS 17

With offline maps in iOS 17 and later, you can use Maps for information and navigation even when you don’t have a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. Offline maps include details such as opening hours and ratings of places, turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling or public transport, and estimated arrival times.

Offline maps take up storage space on your device. Maps will show the file size for a potential offline map before you download it. Find out more about your device’s storage.

You can also view offline maps on your Apple Watch when your iPhone is turned on and within Bluetooth range (typically about 10 metres).

Offline maps will not be synced across your devices. Offline maps are only available in selected areas. An offline map for a specific region is not intended for use in all regions. Features vary by country and region.

Use search in Maps

  1. In the Maps app, search for a location, then tap the place in your search results.
  2. Tap the Download button if it’s available, or tap More then tap Download Map. 
  3. If necessary, adjust the area that you want to be included in your offline map. Then tap Download.

When you search for a city or town — for, example Birmingham — you can tap a Download button before you need to tap the More button.

Drop a pin

  1. In Maps, tap an unmarked area to drop a pin.
  2. Tap Download.
  3. If necessary, adjust the area that you want to be included in your offline map. Then tap Download once more.

Use the offline maps settings

  1. In the Maps app, tap your picture or initials next to the search field.
  2. Tap Offline Maps.
  3. Tap Download New Map, or select a map that you’ve previously used or that is suggested by Maps.
  4. Enter a location or select Current Location.
  5. Adjust the size of the map area, then tap Download.

Edit or delete your downloaded maps

  1. In the Maps app, tap your picture or initials next to the search field.
  2. Tap Offline Maps.
    Tap your picture or initials in the Maps app to see how many Offline Maps you currently have downloaded.
  3. Tap the offline map you want to edit or delete. You can rename your map, resize the area included or view the file size.
  4. When you’re ready, tap Delete Map or Done.

You can only delete offline maps in the Maps app. 

Adjust your offline maps settings

  1. In the Maps app, tap your picture or initials next to the search field.
  2. Tap Offline Maps.
  3. Under Settings, turn on the setting you want to use.

Tap Downloads and choose whether you want to download offline maps only when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Automatic Updates is turned on by default. Your offline map will automatically be kept up to date if things change, such as a business or street name.

Turn on Optimise Storage and any unused offline maps will be automatically deleted after a period of time.

Turn on Only Use Offline Maps to rely on your downloaded maps even when you have an internet connection.

The Settings for offline maps include options such as Optimise Storage, which automatically removes downloaded maps you haven’t used in a while.

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