Car-free Travel with Apple Maps iOS 15

While there was a lot to focus on for drivers with the iOS 15 update to Maps, Apple gave alternate transportation options an overhaul as well. Transit riders and walkers have a lot to explore with this update.

The transit map has been given a redesign that highlights the newly added City Experience and makes it easier to use the map with just one hand. Riders can also access all the departures that are near them and pin their favorite lines so they will show first if they are nearby. The award for best update, in my opinion, goes to Maps notifying you when your stop is coming up and it is time to disembark. A critical requirement when exploring new routes or areas we didn’t know we were missing. 

If you want to walk to your destination, good for you! Maps is making the walk more immersive by incorporating augmented reality into the directions. Augmented reality shows you roads and businesses that are around you and other interesting features you might want to interact with. 

Let’s get started with transit directions!

Find a Transit Route

Step 1. Use Siri or search for your destination.

Step 2. Tap your destination.

Step 3. Select your suggested route. 

You can do any of the following for that route:

Switch to transit directions: If transit isn’t your default mode of travel, tap the train icon to see a suggested transit route.

Choose a future departure or arrival time: Tap “Leaving Now,” select a time or date for departure or arrival, then tap “Done.”

Select which transit method you prefer: Scroll to the bottom of the route card, then select your preferences.

Choose other route options: You can reverse the starting point and destination, select a different starting point or destination, and more. Tap “My Location” and choose your options from the next screen. When you’re done, tap “Route” to return.

Step 4. Tap “Go” for the route you want.

To get upcoming directions during your trip, scroll down in the route card. Tap a direction on the route card to remove the preceding directions. 

To end directions before you arrive, say something like “Hey Siri, stop navigating,” or tap the X icon on the route card. 

Quickly find nearby transit departures in Favorites

Add Nearby Transit to Favorites:

Step 1. In the row of Favorites on the search card. If you have a lot of Favorites in the list, you may need to swipe left to locate the icon

Step 2. Next tap the plus icon. 

Step 3. Then tap “Nearby Transit.” 

Step 4. If you are not automatically taken back to your Favorites list after selecting “Nearby Transit” then select “Done” in the top right corner. 

Now you can see a list of departures by tapping Transit in the row of Favorites on the search card.

Choose a line to appear at the top of the Nearby Transit list: 

Step 1. Tap Transit in the row of Favorites on the search card.

Step 2. Touch and hold a line until a popup box appears.

Step 3. Then tap “Pin.” 

To remove the pin, touch and hold the line again, then tap “Remove Pin.”

Add a Transit Station or Stop to Favorites

Step 1. Use Siri or search to find a transit station or stop.

Step 2. Using the transit map, zoom in or move the map until you see the transit stop or station, then tap the transit stop or station.

Step 3. Tap the three dots icon.

Step 4. Then tap “Add to Favorites.” 

See Major Transit Lines

Step 1. With a map showing, tap the transportation button at the top right.

Step 2. Select Transit, then tap the “X” icon.

Now let’s take a walk!

Get Walking Directions

Step 1. Use Siri or search to find a destination.

Step 2. Tap the directions button. 

When a suggested route appears, you can do the following:

Switch to walking directions: If walking isn’t your default mode of travel or if you’re viewing a transit map, tap the person icon to see a suggested walking route.

Choose other route options: You can reverse the starting point and destination, select a different starting point or destination, and more. Tap “My Location” and choose your options from the next screen. When you’re done, tap “Route” to return.

Step 4. Tap “Go” to select your route.

To view directions in augmented reality, tap , then follow the onscreen instructions. To return to the map, tap the X icon.

To automatically return to the augmented reality screen whenever you raise iPhone after tapping . 

Step 1. Open the Settings app.

Step 2. Select Maps.

Step 3. Under “Directions,” select “Walking.”

Step 4. Toggle “Raise to View” to on.

Your iPhone uses the camera and the motion sensors to improve the accuracy of your position and heading to keep you on the right course, but this feature may increase battery usage. If you need to save battery life, toggle “Enhanced” to the off position.

Apple Maps has made navigating public transit and walking, well, a walk in the park.  

Help your Friends and Family learn how to go on a Car-free Travel with Apple Maps in iOS 15 by using the Share Buttons below… I really appreciate you helping to spread the word about my Free Daily iPhone Tips! 🙂