Apple Maps may offer lock screen navigation in iOS 17, claims iffy rumor

The lock screen will gain some more Apple Maps functionality which could make it easier to navigate without necessarily needing to unlock the iPhone, a sketchy rumor claims.

Apple's WWDC 2023 event is a month away, and the rumors about what it will unveil are starting to flow. In a Monday tweet, it is claimed part of the changes will be one affecting Apple Maps in iOS 17.

According to leaker "@Analyst941" on Twitter, a new Maps Live Activity will be made available for the lock screen on all iPhone models. Under the feature, users will be able to get more information from Maps without necessarily need to deal with keeping the iPhone unlocked all the time.

In effect, a small version of the route map will be visible on the lock screen, along with any navigational instructions. There will apparently be a seamless transition to the standard Maps view after unlocking the device.

While offering route details, the lock screen addition will still show other elements until it's unlocked, except for widgets. Notifications will be viewable by a swipe-up, overlaying on top of the map.

The leaker also claims you will be able to minimize the Map to "the size of the music player on the Lock Screen, and re-maximize it by tapping the activity."

Multiple leaks have been reported by @Analyst941 in recent weeks, including claims of Final Cut Pro arriving on iPad in 2024, iPadOS 17 extending Stage Manager support to cover external monitor webcams, and a laundry list of other changes. They have also claimed the watchOS 10 interface changes will include folders, and that an Apple Watch will be capable of synchronizing with more than one Apple device at once.

While some of these supposed leaks are compelling, the leaker doesn't have much of a track record to go on. Many of the claims may not necessarily come to fruition in Apple's keynote address.