The cool new Apple Maps features you're not using, but should be
Along with the recent release of the iPhone 15 and iOS 17, Apple unveiled a bevy of new features for the iPhone and the Apple Watch that make these devices even more powerful for travelers. Many of those new features come via the Apple Maps service.
Let's take a look at the new ways in which Apple Maps can help you explore the world.
Offline maps
This is far and away the most useful new feature for travelers, especially those who are visiting regions that might not have the best internet connectivity. Whether you are camping in the remote wilderness or simply want to avoid data overages and roaming charges when traveling internationally, Apple Maps' new offline maps feature will ensure you have access to driving, walking, public transit and cycling directions even when your internet connection is spotty.
To use offline maps, you'll need to download a map of the area you are visiting while you have Wi-Fi or cellular data connectivity. Simply search for your destination in Apple Maps and you will see an option to download an offline map of the area. Apple Maps will suggest an area to download, but you can customize it to make it larger or smaller. You'll also be able to see how much storage space the map will take up on your phone.
If your device anticipates that you have an upcoming trip planned or if it expects you may need an offline map due to service availability in a certain area, Apple Maps can even prompt you to download an offline map so you don't get stuck without the travel information you need.
Your offline map will have much of the same information you'll find in regular Apple Maps, including:
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Detailed trail maps for many local, state and national parks
- The ability to sync waking directions with your Apple Watch
- Estimated time of arrival
- Public transit schedules
- Traffic predictions (real-time traffic information is not available in offline maps)
- The ability to search nearby gas stations, restaurants and other points of interest
This information, including transit schedules, will be accurate as of the time you download your offline map. In order to get the most current details, you will need to connect to Wi-Fi or cellular data. In your offline map settings, you can choose whether to have offline maps update automatically when you are connected to Wi-Fi and/or cellular data.
You can try it out now and get familiar with how it works by downloading a map of your local area or for your next travel destination.
Real-time EV charging availability
As electronic vehicles become more widely available — both on car lots and at car rental facilities — it's more important than ever to have accurate and up-to-date information on where to find EV charging stations.
Related: From 'fart mode' to battery woes: 5 things I learned from my first Tesla rental
Apple Maps can now display real-time EV charging station availability, including the availability to filter by charging network, plug type, hours of operation and more. You can even designate your preferred charging network.
This feature is especially helpful if you are driving an EV in an unfamiliar area and need to charge your car before you go into panic mode.
Trail information
Trail information is more robust than ever when using iOS 17. You can use Apple Maps to find thousands of trails in local, state and national parks across the U.S. If you see a hiking trail or campground you're interested in, you'll be able to see information like trail length, photos, parking information and the phone number of the park's information center.
Related: The best US national parks you should visit at least once (or twice)
If you have an Apple Watch, the updates to watchOS 10 allow users to view easy-to-read topographic maps with features such as contour lines, hill shading, elevation markers and points of interest that make it easier to enjoy the great outdoors. This works in conjunction with offline maps on your iPhone if you download the map before your visit and have your phone nearby.
Enhanced features in major cities
If you love exploring new cities but consider yourself directionally challenged, Apple's enhancements to the maps will make major cities like Paris, Houston, Dallas and New York City even easier to navigate.
Features like detailed 3D landmarks, road markings, elevation levels and public transit routes make it easier to get where you are going and navigate busy intersections. This helps whether you're walking or driving. When driving, Apple Maps can switch to a "windshield view" when approaching exits and on-ramps.
Currently, there are 24 cities with this new detailed look, and more are being added regularly.
Along with these enhanced navigational views, Apple has more than 2,000 curated city guides from publishers like AllTrails and Lonely Planet that let you live like a local when you travel. You can find everything from the hottest chicken wings in Austin to the Jonas Brothers' favorite eateries when they are on tour.
If you consider yourself an expert on your hometown, you can create your own guide within Apple Maps to share with visiting family and friends.
Bottom line
You likely use Apple Maps on a daily basis to get from one place to another, but it can do so much more. These new features — along with a few that were released prior to iOS 17 — make Apple Maps an essential travel tool for iPhone users who want to get out and discover the world.
Related reading:
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.