Apple used its WWDC 2025 keynote to unveil iOS 26, and while the spotlight was shared with the major UI redesign, the Apple Maps app got a few neat changes of its own.
With iOS 26, Maps becomes more intelligent, more personal, and more helpful, while still preserving the user's privacy.
Visited Places
With iOS 26, iPhone can detect when you're at locations like restaurants or stores and automatically log them. | Image credit — Apple
One of the new features is Visited Places, which lets users choose whether they want their iPhone to detect and log locations such as restaurants, shops, and other points of interest they’ve stopped at. All of this data is end-to-end encrypted and stored securely on-device, meaning not even Apple can access it.
Users will be able to browse their location history directly within Maps, helping them remember favorite spots, revisit hidden gems, or get a birds-eye view of their routine/travel history.
Is it enough of a challenge for Google’s Timeline feature, though? Well, personally, I prefer the layout and design of Apple Maps, but there's no doubt that Google Maps is still the more versatile app from the two, and that probably won't change anytime soon.
Smarter daily commutes, powered by on-device intelligence
iPhone will be able to use on-device intelligence to learn your daily commute. | Image credit — Apple
Apple Maps also gets a serious upgrade in how it handles your commute. With iOS 26, iPhone now uses on-device intelligence to learn your typical routes.
For example, the phone can recognize your drive to work or trip home, and it then proactively presents your preferred route, complete with real-time updates, alternate suggestions, and delay notifications. Again, this is all processed locally.
For daily commuters, this should mean less time fumbling with navigation and more time trusting that your iPhone knows where you’re going and how best to get there.
A modernized look powered by Liquid Glass
And while it is a whole other part of iOS 26, the new Liquid Glass aesthetic spreads throughout the whole operating system, which includes Maps.
The redesign adds subtle depth, translucency, and more dynamic layering to the interface, improving readability and making multitasking more fluid. For instance, Maps notifications now stay partially visible even when switching to other tasks, so you never lose sight of key navigation updates.
Expect these updates to roll out later this fall when iOS 26 becomes publicly available.
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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