While the headline feature of iOS 26 is the new Liquid Glass design, Apple has also added meaningful updates to popular apps like Apple Maps. Beyond the transparent interface, here’s everything that’s new in Apple Maps with iOS 26.
1. Preferred Routes: Maps Learns Your Routines
Apple Maps in iOS 26 now quietly learns which routes you usually take. For example, if you drive the same path to work every morning, your iPhone will start recognizing that as your go-to route.
- If there’s a traffic jam or delay on your usual path, Maps can alert you ahead of time.
- You’ll also see this info pop up in the new “Suggestions” widget on your Home Screen—so you know what’s coming even before you open the app.
This feature runs completely on-device, meaning Apple doesn’t know your commute, and it never leaves your iPhone.
2. Visited Places: Your Personal Location History
Apple Maps now keeps a private record of where you’ve been. That café you tried last week or that shop you popped into for five minutes, Maps will log it for you automatically. This is Apple’s version of Google Maps’ Timeline feature.
- All your visited locations show up inside the new “Visits” tab in the Maps Library.
- You don’t have to do anything—your iPhone detects visits passively in the background.
- Want to remove a place? Just swipe to delete.
Once again, Apple is keeping things private. These logs are end-to-end encrypted and can’t be accessed even by Apple.
What It All Really Means
Yes, Apple Maps is also getting the Liquid Glass makeover—so you’ll see translucent buttons, reflective panels, and a shinier UI across the board. But beyond those visual flairs, this update packs features that can make your routes and experience better.
Privacy: Built-In
Your iPhone keeps all your Maps data private. The app learns your habits, but no information is shared with Apple. Everything—from your saved places to your usual routes—stays on your device and is fully encrypted. You can remove any visit with a simple swipe.
Coming Later This Year
iOS 26 is currently in beta and will publicly launch in fall 2025 for iPhone 11 and newer. If you’re part of the Apple Developer Program or enrolled in the beta testing program, you can try these Apple Maps features right now.
Ultimately, this update isn’t here to impress you with flashy effects. It’s meant to quietly make Apple Maps more useful in your day-to-day life, without needing you to change how you use it.
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