What’s new in the iOS 15 Maps App?

In iOS 15, Apple has made numerous improvements to the Maps app. With an entirely new experience, a lot of focus has been given to detailing and designing. There are also new AR and 3D capabilities making it all the more user friendly. Let’s have a look at these updates.

Updates on Driving Maps

More detailed road information will be available while driving. Features like lanes, crosswalks, and bike lanes will be shown clearly to let you know where you’re supposed to be. For complex interchanges, a street-level perspective will be provided. All these features are on a dedicated driving map. You can also see current traffic incidents and road closures. You can choose from Explore, Driving, Transit, and Satellite maps in iOS 15.

More Detailed City Maps

Maps in ‌iOS 15‌ will be more detailed than ever. In select cities, you could see roads, neighbourhoods, trees, and buildings are now shown in full detail. You could also see some landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge in 3D. These 3D landmarks are available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and London. The 3D feature will expand to more cities in the future. Apple Maps also has a night/dark mode with fresh new colours.

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AR Walking Instructions

Apple is using augmented reality to show walking directions in ‌iOS 15‌. This makes it much easier to reach locations with tricky directions. AR mode helps provide step-by-step directions while walking. All you need to do is scan the buildings around you when prompted to do so after initiating a route. All 2018 and later iPhones will be compatible with the new augmented reality feature.

The Globe View

Ever zoomed out of the maps to a point where you can zoom no further? Well if do the same on iOS 15, you reach a new globe view that lets you spin around the world and explore new areas. The Globe view is noticeable easier to navigate than the previous world map view.

Apple has also added some detailing with mountain ranges, deserts, forests, and oceans. You can find detailed topographical information when you zoom into any mountain range. Additionally, you can also get information on each mountain peak like elevation, coordinates, distance, etc.

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Schedule Leaving and Arriving Times

About to plan a commute. Well, now you can choose a time to arrive or a time to leave and get prospective commuting lengths beforehand. Just tap on “Leave at” or “Arrive by” while getting directions and select dates and specific times.

Transit Updates

Now you could view more detailed major bus routes in cities with updated maps. Frequent transit riders can pin their favourite lines from the listed departures so they always show at the top. Couldn’t find a seat? The new one-handed operation interface helps users to see and interact with their routes in such circumstances. Maps will also send a disembark notification when a stop approaches on public transit.

Detailed Place Cards

A design upgrade has been made for place cards. Be it for businesses, landmarks, restaurants, or others, Apple is now providing even more detailed place cards. Yelp remains Apple’s preference to pull in information (reviews). Even physical features like mountain ranges are getting place cards with elevation and other details mentioned.

Guide Updates

A dedicated Guides Home option has been added. It consists of editorially curated guides with tips regarding your residing city or a visiting one.

Better Search Results

Your search results now have the option to be filtered on the basis of a specific cuisine, whether a restaurant is open, whether a restaurant offers takeout, etc. If the user changes location after a search, the app automatically updates search results as per the new location.

User Accounts and Feedback

A new Maps user account helps save Maps preferences like direction mode, toll and highway avoidance options, transit options, etc. Additionally, it aggregates Favorites, Guides, Ratings, Photos, and provides quick access to reporting issues and accidents.