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Apple Maps is getting a major makeover in iOS 15

Apple's native maps and navigation app will get new features to make driving safer and enable more precise pedestrian navigation.

Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin Writer/Electrified Cars
Antuan Goodwin started out in the automotive industry the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. Antuan now has 16 years of expertise and experience behind the wheel of hundreds of cars including electric vehicles, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and traditional combustion cars. For each car tested, Antuan covers over 200 miles behind the wheel and evaluates driving dynamics, acceleration and braking performance, range and efficiency. Antuan's goal is to use his extensive car knowledge to educate CNET readers with their next car-related buying decision. Whether you're EV-curious, EV-enthusiast or combustion-car loyal, Antuan will bring you the unbiased advice, reviews, best lists, and news you need. You can reach Antuan at antuan.goodwin@cnet.com
Expertise 16 years of testing, driving, writing, reporting, editing, and reviewing electric and ICE cars. Category focus is on electrified cars, EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, ICE cars, EV infrastructure, EV chargers, EV adapters, EV news, autonomous driving tech, driver assist Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Antuan Goodwin
2 min read
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Apple

At Apple's WWDC 2021 developer's conference Monday, the company announced its Maps app is getting a fresh coat of paint and new AR features with iOS 15 that make the native navigation app more competitive with Google's offering.

The core of Apple Maps is the map itself, which now includes richer elevation data, more road colors, rich labels and 3D landmarks -- with San Francisco's Coit Tower, Ferry Building and Golden Gate Bridge being demonstrated during the WWDC21 presentation. At nighttime, 3D buildings on the map feature a moonlight glow that doesn't add much function, but looks really cool.

This story is part of WWDC 2022, CNET's complete coverage from and about Apple's annual developers conference.

When it's time to hit the road, users will be treated to a closer view of more detailed streets with lane markers, special lanes -- like turn lanes, bike lanes and bus/taxi lanes -- crosswalks and more. Highway and street data is also presented in 3D, so you'll be able to see complex overpasses and overlapping interchanges in three dimensions while you drive. It also appears that Apple Maps runs smoother, to better take advantage of Apple's high frame-rate devices.

Watch this: Apple Maps gets a 3D makeover in iOS 15

Not just for show, Apple thinks that more detailed map data can give drivers an earlier idea of which lane they'll need to be in, which can improve safety and traffic.

Outside of the car, Apple Maps is also adding new features that make getting around on foot and public transportation easier as well. Users will be able to pin nearby public transit stops and station information to their iPhone and Apple Watch devices, and receive automatic updates and notifications as they ride and approach their stop.

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Apple

See also

On foot, a new augmented reality feature allows users to scan nearby buildings in the area with the iPhone's camera to determine their precise position for more accurate walking directions, which are also presented in augmented reality. The new feature is similar in function and form to the Google Maps Live View AR feature that Google began public testing in 2019 and continues to develop today.  

The new AR mapping and navigation features are coming to iOS devices with the launch of iOS 15, likely in September. Rich 3D map data will be added to the CarPlay in-car user interface later this year.