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Almost all of Apple's built-in apps will get new features in iOS 18, including the Maps app. Although the Maps app doesn't have any interesting new artificial intelligence features, Apple has prepared some useful changes for it.

Hiking Trails

Apple added topographic maps to the Apple Watch last year, and now detailed topographic maps will also come to the iPhone. The Maps app provides a detailed network of trails and hiking routes, including all 63 U.S. national parks.

You can search for "hiking" or "hiking routes" in the Maps app to see nearby hiking options including hike length, elevation gain, rating, and other details.

Hiking routes can be filtered by length, route type (loop, point-to-point, or round-trip), and elevation, and saved for offline access.

You can zoom in on a hiking area, view a specific trail, or search for trails. If you tap a trail, Apple will provide information including length, highest point, lowest point, and distance. You can also see the entire trail and get the length of each segment.

In the Maps app, trails and hikes are two separate entities. When you search for "hikes," you'll see a general area where a specific trail is located, and you can use the Maps app to zoom in and find the trail you want to take.

Custom routes

Apple Maps supports custom routes in iOS 18, so you can plan out a specific hiking route you want to take. At the trailhead, you can tap the "Create Custom Route" option to start the custom route experience.

Then, tap on the map to start setting route points, and the Maps app will provide length and elevation details. You can also tap the "Reverse", "Back" or "Close Loop" options to let the Maps app automatically complete the route.

For hikes and trails, the mapping app won't let you create unsafe routes or stick to existing trails, making it difficult to map hazards in the backcountry.

Route creation isn't limited to hikes and paths. You can add a fixed point on the map, tap the "More" option and select "Create custom route."

Search here

Apple is making it easier to search for places you might want to visit or places you want to explore by adding a "Search Here" button. If you look up a place, like San Diego, and tap Search, it will search the area on your screen instead of your actual location.

If you search for something and then move on the map, search results will reliably update at your new location. When you zoom in on the map, you'll see a dedicated "Search Here" button, giving you more control over where you search.

Save Favorites

If you find a hike, trail, or custom route you like, you can save it to your Library for later use. To do this, find the hike in question and tap the Add to Library button.

You can rename hikes, add specific information you might want to revisit later, and download routes for offline use. When viewing any place on the map (including hikes), tapping the "+" button will also add that place to your library. Favorites are stored in the Maps app and can be accessed by tapping your personal photo and selecting the "Library" section.

Database

Everything saved in the Maps app, including locations, routes, guides, and pins, is stored in a new “Library” section of the Maps app, rather than in separate sections as it was in iOS 17.

The library also displays any content that was recently added.

You can tap on any location in the Maps app and select the Add Note option from the menu. Here you can jot down a place you want to remember.

Notes are private data and are saved only on your device. Only the note creator can see them.