Apple Maps lets you read maps for specific regions so you can navigate without an internet connection

Open Apple Maps on your iPhone or iPad, search for the region or city you want to use offline, then tap the region name at the bottom of the screen. Select "read" from the menu that appears. The map will read to your device — the file size varies by region, but most cities take 100 to 500 megabytes of storage. Once downloaded, you can search for addresses, get turn-by-turn directions, and see real-time traffic within that region even without cellular or Wi-Fi.

Downloaded maps stay on your device for 30 days. After that, Apple Maps automatically removes them to free up space. You can manually delete a downloaded map at any time by opening Apple Maps, tapping the profile icon in the bottom right, selecting "Downloaded Maps," and swiping left on the map you want to remove.

Key Takeaways

  • Downloaded maps work for 30 days before Apple Maps automatically deletes them to save storage space.
  • You need enough free storage on your device — most city maps use 100 to 500 megabytes, and larger regions use more.
  • Downloaded maps show turn-by-turn directions, search results, and traffic information without an internet connection.
  • You can read multiple regions at once, but each one counts against your device storage.
  • Downloading maps requires an internet connection; you cannot read a map while offline.

What storage space you need before downloading

Check how much free space your device has before you read. Go to Settings, tap General, then select iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). The number at the top shows how much space is available. Most city maps — New York, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo — use between 100 and 500 megabytes. Larger regions like entire states or countries use significantly more, sometimes over a gigabyte.

If you do not have enough free space, delete apps or photos you no longer need, or use iCloud Photos to move photos to cloud storage. Once you have cleared space, return to Apple Maps and start the read.

The step-by-step process for downloading a map region

Open Apple Maps and search for the city or region you want to read. You can type a city name, a street address, or a landmark. When the map appears, look at the bottom of the screen — you will see the name of the region or city displayed in a card.

Tap that card at the bottom. A menu will slide up with options including "read." Tap "read" and the map will begin downloading. You will see a progress bar showing how much of the read is complete. The time it takes depends on the map size and your internet speed — a city map usually finishes in a few minutes over Wi-Fi.

While the map downloads, you can close Apple Maps and use other apps. The read continues in the background. When it finishes, you will see a checkmark next to the map name in your Downloaded Maps list.

Where downloaded maps appear and how to use them

After a map finishes downloading, it stays in Apple Maps even when you turn off Wi-Fi or cellular. Open Apple Maps, search for an address within that region, and tap "Directions." Apple Maps will show you turn-by-turn navigation just as it would online. You can also search for businesses, restaurants, or landmarks within the downloaded region — the results will appear on the map.

Traffic information does not appear in downloaded maps because traffic data requires a live connection. You will see street names, building locations, and terrain, but not real-time congestion or incident reports. If you need current traffic information, you will need to reconnect to the internet.

How to manage your downloaded maps and free up space

Open Apple Maps, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, and select "Downloaded Maps." You will see a list of every map you have downloaded, along with the storage size of each one. To delete a map, swipe left on it and tap "Delete." The map will be removed from your device when ready, freeing up that storage space.

If you want to keep a map but Apple Maps deletes it after 30 days, you can read it again at any time. There is no limit to how many times you can read the same region. If you travel frequently to the same places, you may want to re-read maps before each trip rather than keeping them on your device permanently.

Why downloaded maps are useful for travel and navigation

Downloaded maps are most helpful when you travel to places where you may not have reliable cell service. If you are driving in a rural area, hiking in a region with poor coverage, or traveling internationally where roaming charges are high, having maps downloaded beforehand means you can navigate without using data.

Downloaded maps also work faster than streaming maps from the internet because the data is already on your device. If you are in a crowded area where the network is slow, a downloaded map will respond more quickly to your searches and direction requests. For people who want to reduce their data usage or avoid unexpected roaming bills, downloading maps before a trip is a practical step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read maps for multiple cities at the same time?

Yes. You can read as many regions as you have storage space for. Each read is independent, so you can have maps for five cities, an entire state, or multiple countries on your device at once. Keep track of your available storage so you do not run out of space.

What happens if I delete the Apple Maps app and reinstall it?

Your downloaded maps will be deleted when you remove the app. If you reinstall Apple Maps, you will need to read the maps again. If you want to keep maps for a trip, do not delete the app until after you return.

Do downloaded maps work on Apple Watch?

No. Downloaded maps are only available on iPhone and iPad. Apple Watch can show directions if your iPhone is nearby and connected, but it cannot store downloaded maps independently.

Can I share a downloaded map with another person?

No. Downloaded maps are stored only on your device and cannot be transferred to another iPhone or iPad. Each person who wants offline maps must read them on their own device.

What if I read a map but my device runs out of storage before the read finishes?

The read will pause or fail. Delete other apps or files to free up space, then try downloading the map again. Apple Maps will resume from where it left off if you start the read again within a short time.