Apple's iOS 18 could bring a new custom route option to Apple Maps later this year

Apple Maps Transit Iphone X Hero Resized
(Image credit: Joseph Keller / iMore)

If you're an Apple Maps user you might want to keep your eyes peeled for this fall's iOS 18 update if a new report turns out to be accurate. The report says that Apple may be readying a new custom route feature for the iPhone's default mapping software as part of the iOS 18 update.

While the Apple Maps app has long allowed people to get the route information for a desired destination, the route that the app provides is essentially set in stone. That could be set to change, however, giving people the chance to tweak the route themselves.

The change could allow people to choose roads that they prefer or avoid ones that they particularly dislike, for example, and it's a feature that has been requested before. It's also one that Google Maps offers although not via its iPhone app.

Going custom

MacRumors reports that it has reviewed code that suggests Apple is working on adding the new custom route option in the future. However, that code appears to be related to iOS 18 which means that iPhone owners will have to wait a while before they can take the feature for a spin. And even when it does arrive, not everyone will be able to use it.

"Apple has pushed an ‌iOS 18‌ file to its maps backend labeled 'CustomRouteCreation,' the report explains. "While not much is revealed by the file except for the name, it does mention that this upcoming feature will be limited to the United States at launch."

Apple is expected to preview the iOS 18 software update during its June WWDC 2024 event, but it won't be released to the public until the fall — likely alongside the arrival of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

More from iMore

Oliver Haslam
Contributor

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too. Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.

Latest in Apps
WeChat logo on an iPhone
Apple approves WeChat update ahead of iPhone 16 event, but it still wants to negotiate fees
ChatGPT on Mac showing breakfast query
ChatGPT on Mac just got a big update in the EU
Sonos Ray Soundbar
Sonos has delayed products to focus on fixing its app "crisis"
Google Photos Search
Google Photos gets an Apple Intelligence-inspired update to help you find your favorite snaps
The RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller for iOS
Apple's App Store fees make bringing Xbox Cloud Gaming to the iPhone 'impossible'
Verdy Beats Pill Stand
This cute character holds your Beats Pill — and costs $500
Latest in News
iMore Logo
One more thing… Goodbye from iMore
Jony Ive
Jony Ive’s OpenAI hardware device could be his next world-changing design
NEBULA Cosmos 4K SE with Apple TV
This new 4K projector is tempting me to replace my LG C2 TV, just so I can watch Slow Horses on a 200-inch display
VisionOS 2 app reorganization
visionOS 2 is the first major software update for Apple Vision Pro, and now it's available
macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia (version 15) is now available for your Mac with some big upgrades
watchOS 11
watchOS 11 is now rolling out to all Apple Watch users with the Series 6 or newer