How to download maps to use offline on your iPhone

With Maps in iOS 17 or later, use offline maps to access information like 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 cellular connection. Offline maps include details like hours and ratings on places, turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling, or riding transit, and estimated arrival times.

Offline maps take up storage space on your device, and Maps will show the file size for a potential offline map before you download it. Learn about your device's storage.

You can also view offline maps with your Apple Watch when your iPhone is on and within Bluetooth range (about 33 feet or 10 meters).

Offline maps do not sync across your devices. Offline maps are only available in select 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 included in your offline map. Then tap Download.

When you search for a city or town — like Archbald, Pennsylvania — 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 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 previously used or that Maps suggests.
  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 ready, tap Delete Map or Done.

You can delete offline maps only 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 that you want to use.

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

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

Turn on Optimize 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 like Optimize Storage, which automatically removes downloaded maps you haven't used in a while.

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