Why you need to set a home address in Apple Maps
Apple Maps uses your home address to give you directions when you ask for directions home, to show travel time on your lock screen, and to suggest the fastest route during your commute. Without a home address set, these features either won't work or will ask you to pick a destination each time. Setting it once saves you from typing it repeatedly.
Your home address stays private — it does not appear in your location history or get shared with other apps unless you choose to share it. You can change it anytime, and you can remove it entirely if you move or no longer want it stored.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone or iPad, open Maps, tap your profile picture in the top right, and select "Home" to add or change your address.
- On Mac, open Maps, click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click "Home" to set or update your address.
- You can type an address, search for a location, or drop a pin on the map to set your home.
- Once saved, your home address appears in the Favorites section and can be deleted at any time by tapping or clicking "Remove".
Setting your home address on iPhone or iPad
Open the Maps app and look for your profile picture in the top right corner — it is usually a small circle with your initials or a photo. Tap it to open your account menu.
You will see a list of options. Tap "Home" to open the home address screen. If you have not set a home address yet, you will see an empty field that says "Add Home". If you already have one set, you will see the current address with an option to change it.
Type your address into the search field, or tap the map icon next to the search box to drop a pin on the map instead. If you type, Maps will show suggestions as you type — tap the correct one to select it. Once you have chosen your address, tap "Save" or the checkmark button to confirm.
Setting your home address on Mac
Open the Maps app on your Mac. In the top right corner, click your profile picture — it is a small circle with your initials or photo. A dropdown menu will appear.
Click "Home" from the menu. A window will open showing your current home address if one is set, or an empty field if this is your first time. Click in the address field and type your home address, or click the map icon to drop a pin on the map instead.
As you type, Maps will show address suggestions below the search field. Click the correct one to select it. Once you have chosen your address, press Enter or click the checkmark button to save it.
Changing your home address after it is already set
If you have already set a home address and need to change it, the process is the same as setting it the first time. Open your profile menu, tap or click "Home", and you will see your current address displayed. Tap or click on the address field to edit it.
Delete the old address and type the new one, or tap the map icon to drop a pin on the map. Maps will show suggestions as you type. Select the correct address and save it. Your old address will be replaced when ready.
Using your home address in directions
Once your home address is set, you can say "Hey Siri, take me home" on your iPhone or iPad, and Maps will automatically start directions to your home address. You can also tap the home icon in the search bar at the bottom of the Maps screen to see directions home without typing anything.
On Mac, click the home icon in the search bar or use Siri to ask for directions home. Your home address will also appear in the Favorites section of Maps for quick access anytime you open the app.
Removing your home address
If you move, no longer want your home address stored, or need to delete it for any reason, open your profile menu and tap or click "Home". You will see your current home address with a "Remove" button or option below it.
Tap or click "Remove" to delete your home address. It will disappear from your Favorites and Maps will no longer use it for directions. You can add a new home address anytime by following the same steps.
Troubleshooting common problems
If Maps is not showing your home address in the search results, try typing it more slowly or breaking it into parts — for example, type the street number and name first, then add the city. If the address still does not appear, try dropping a pin on the map by clicking the map icon instead of typing.
If your home address is saved but directions to home are not working, make sure location services are turned on for Maps. Check your phone or computer settings to confirm Maps has permission to access your location. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and make sure Maps is set to "While Using" or "Always". On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and toggle Maps on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set multiple home addresses?
No, Apple Maps only allows one home address at a time. If you have a second home or frequently stay in another location, you can save that address to your Favorites instead by searching for it, tapping the address, and selecting "Add to Favorites".
Will my home address be visible to other people?
No. Your home address is stored only on your device and is not shared with other apps or people unless you choose to share your location with them through a separate setting. It does not appear in your location history or on any shared maps.
What happens to my home address if I sign out of my Apple account?
Your home address is stored on your device, not in your Apple account, so it will remain even if you sign out. If you erase your device or reset Maps, your home address will be deleted and you will need to set it again.
Can I set my work address in Apple Maps?
Apple Maps does not have a dedicated work address feature like some other map apps do. You can save your work address to Favorites by searching for it and tapping "Add to Favorites", which makes it quick to access but does not give you the same automatic routing features as the home address.