Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Apple Maps within iOS 18 introduced a valuable feature allowing iPhone users to design custom routes for walking, running, and hiking. While the subsequent iOS 18.4 update delivered new emojis and Apple News recipes in March, the core September iOS 18 release brought enhancements to the mapping application, notably this personalized route creation tool.
The ability to generate custom routes proves invaluable for planning hikes and various outdoor pursuits, ensuring users stay on course and avoid getting lost. Furthermore, this function calculates the distance of the custom route and provides elevation details along the chosen path. For users in locales like Denver, the elevation data is particularly relevant.
Creating Custom Routes in Apple Maps
Initiating Route Creation
1. Launch Maps.
2. Press and hold on your preferred starting point to drop a pin.
3. Tap More.
4. Select Create a Custom Route.
Users then plot their route by tapping locations on the map. Intersections and points of interest, such as restaurants and shops, can be selected to define the path. Alternatively, tapping unmarked locations allows for a more detailed and precise route customization.
Route points need not be sequentially adjacent. After initiating Custom Route creation, users can tap a location even miles away, and Maps will generate a viable route. The app intelligently plans paths, similar to driving directions, avoiding direct, unrealistic routes.
Route Options: Reverse, Out & Back, and Closed Loop
During route creation, Apple Maps presents three route variations: Reverse, Out & Back, and Closed Loop. Reverse inverts the route’s direction. Out & Back traces the same path in both directions, starting and ending at the initial point. Closed Loop routes conclude at the starting point but follow a circular path.
Saving and Accessing Custom Routes
After finalizing the route, tap Save and assign a name to it before tapping Done. Apple Maps downloads the custom route to the iPhone, enabling offline access, particularly useful for hiking in areas with limited network coverage.
Accessing Saved Custom Routes
Retrieving Saved Routes
1. Open Maps.
2. Tap Places, Guides and Routes located beneath the search bar.
3. Select Routes.
4. Choose the desired route.
Upon route selection, Maps will display it. If near the starting point, tapping Go initiates turn-by-turn directions along the custom route. If not, selecting Directions will guide users to the route’s beginning.