Code hints at custom Apple Maps routes coming in iOS 18

Apple Maps could get custom route planning in iOS 18

Apple could introduce a new feature for planning custom routes in Apple Maps, but little is known beyond a code snippet callout of the feature in an iOS 18 file.

New operating system releases require a lot of preparation, so while WWDC 2024 isn't until June 10, Apple is already preparing server side. A file discovered in the Apple Maps back-end suggests that a new custom route feature could be inbound.

The code snippet was discovered by code sleuth Nicolas Alvarez and reported by MacRumors. The Maps back-end file is labeled "CustomRouteCreation."

If the name is exactly what it suggests, users will be able to create custom routes when planning a trip in Apple Maps. Currently, users can only select from a group of most likely routes and add stops manually afterward.

Apple will reveal updates to its services like Apple Maps, operating systems like iOS 18, and its rumored AI push during WWDC in June. The conference is being held from June 10 to June 14.

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10 Comments

MacPro 19840 comments · 18 Years

About 8 months ago

About frickin' time!

Xed 2889 comments · 4 Years

About 8 months ago

I'm not sure I fully understand this new feature. You mean I'll be able to choose paths that aren't the fastest or shortest? If so, what's a good example of why I may want to do that?

ihatescreennames 1976 comments · 19 Years

About 8 months ago

Xed said:

I'm not sure I fully understand this new feature. You mean I'll be able to choose paths that aren't the fastest or shortest? If so, what's a good example of why I may want to do that?

Taking a guess…maybe you prefer a more scenic route to go someplace, a route you are familiar with. If you can choose that route and use Maps to guide you, you’ll also get the benefit of speed traps or other hazards, the posted speed limit, a fairly accurate ETA you can share with others and traffic alerts, too.

I use Maps for navigating to places I know how to get to just to take advantage of those things. I could see using it for routes that it wouldn’t normally give me.

tyler82 1107 comments · 18 Years

About 8 months ago

Waze is still 100x better than Apple Maps on CarPlay.

beowulfschmidt 2354 comments · 12 Years

About 8 months ago

tyler82 said:

Waze is still 100x better than Apple Maps on CarPlay.

Not sure I agree with "100%", but in general, I believe Waze is still superior in a few respects. For instance, Waze notifies me of route changes due to traffic, accidents, etc. much more quickly than Apple Maps. However, Apple Map's waypoints feature is superior to Waze's single stop. In addition, Apple Maps recovers from a missed turn much more quickly than Waze. Waze is sometimes so slow at rerouting in such cases that it won't tell me the alternate until I've passed that one as well.