FEATURE Amazing iPhone hacks

Maps, Find My & Safari

Are you getting the most from some of Apple’s most popular apps?

As long as you’re running iOS 17, the Maps app can download maps and use them offline. This is very useful if you’re travelling to areas with poor mobile phone coverage.

To download a map area, first tap your account icon (your initials, or a picture if you’ve set one up), next to the Search field. Tap Offline Maps, and your current location is offered as a suggestion.

If that’s not what you want, tap Download New Map. From here, you can search for the location you want to download, or choose it from the list of recent searches. On the next screen, you’re shown the area you’re choosing to download. Drag the map behind the box, and/or resize the box by dragging its handles. When you’re ready, tap Download. The map is then available for offline use. To delete a downloaded map in Maps, tap your Apple ID to the right of the search field then tap Offline Maps. Tap the map you want to delete and choose the Delete Map option.

If you’re driving and using Maps as a GPS, you can get traffic information on your maps. Tap the folding map icon, and in the window, tap Driving. Traffic jams, roadworks and more are then shown on your route. Tap one for more information.

Transport options

If you’re travelling by train or bus, tap the folding map icon, then tap Public Transport. Or when looking at directions, tap the icon that looks like a train in the Directions window. You’re then shown the way using buses, trains and so on.

When on foot, you can be shown the way to your destination in augmented reality (AR), but only on an iPhone with at least an Apple A12 chip and in a city that supports it. Bring up directions to where you want to go and tap the Walking button in the Directions window.

When prompted, scan the nearby buildings with your rear camera. Directions are then superimposed onto the view through your camera.