iOS 18: Explore New Library, Notes, and Hiking Features in Apple Maps

1. New Library for Saved Places

One of the biggest improvements in Apple Maps for iOS 18 is the introduction of the Library, which consolidates all your saved places, making it easier to access and organize them.

• Quick Save Option: With the "+" button now available on location listings, you can save places instantly.
• Centralized Location: Your saved places, Guides, Pinned locations, and Routes are all found under the Library menu.
• Automatic Updates: Any previously saved places, such as those in Guides, are now automatically added to your Library.
• Flexible Search and Sorting: You can search through saved places, sort them by date added, name or distance and toggle between list and grid views for a more customized experience.

The new Library feature streamlines how you organize and manage your favorite spots, eliminating the need to navigate multiple sections within the app.

2. Adding Personal Notes to Locations

Apple Maps now lets you add personal notes to any saved location. This new functionality can be particularly useful for keeping track of important details or reminders for specific places.

When viewing a location's details, tap the three-dot menu (More), select "Add a Note," and type your personalized information. Every time you view the location in Maps, the note will be visible. Your notes are private and linked to your Apple account, ensuring that only you can access them.

Whether you’re using it to remember your favorite dishes at a restaurant or noting down a good parking spot, the ability to attach notes makes Apple Maps more personalized.

3. Custom Walking and Hiking Routes

iOS 18 introduces custom walking routes, allowing you to create your own path instead of relying on Apple’s recommended routes. This feature is particularly useful for:

• Scenic Walks: Plan routes to enjoy specific scenery or landmarks.
• Fitness Goals: Design routes to get in more steps or pass through less crowded areas.

You can also save these custom routes for future use, so you won’t have to rebuild them every time you take a walk.

Enhanced Hiking Features:

For outdoor enthusiasts, Apple Maps now includes several new tools designed specifically for hiking:

• Topographic Maps: View detailed topographic maps with trail networks to help guide your hikes.
• Offline Hikes: Thousands of trails are available for download, letting you access hiking information even without a signal.
• Custom Hiking Routes: Just like with walking routes, you can create and save custom hiking trails for your next adventure.
• Trail Notes: Add personal notes to trails, helping you track important details for future hikes.

With these features, Apple Maps aims to be a comprehensive tool for hikers, offering more precise navigation and the ability to customize your outdoor adventures.

4. More Features to Explore

In addition to the major updates above, iOS 18 also brings new tools that make Apple Maps more robust:

• Improved Search Functionality: The new Search Here function allows you to search within a specific area, making it easier to find nearby attractions or services.
• Custom Routes for Reuse: You can save custom routes for both walking and hiking, allowing you to reuse them whenever needed.

Conclusion

iOS 18 brings a host of new features to Apple Maps, making it easier to organize saved places, add personal notes, and plan both urban and outdoor adventures. These updates further cement Apple Maps as a powerful tool for navigation and exploration, with features designed to meet the needs of diverse users.