Top 9 Ways to Fix Apple Maps Not Working Error on iPhone

Apple Maps has come a long way in the last few years. While nowhere near Google Maps, many iPhone users often use Apple Maps for specific experience and details. And those who do, often find that Apple Maps is not working. If you encounter the same issue on your iPhone, read on to find out how to fix it.

Let’s take a look at all the possible solutions to the problem so you can get back to where you went. In the meantime, we recommend using an alternative like Google Maps if you’re stuck or in a hurry.

1. Restart the App or iPhone

Most of the time, a simple action like restarting the Apple Maps app or restarting your iPhone will fix the problem. Although it sounds very simple, we recommend that you try it. There is no way to clear cache or app data like we do with Android smartphones. So, this is the only way.

2. Turn off Wi-Fi

If you connect to a Wi-Fi network, it’s possible to have Maps not working or being too slow to load. Time to switch to cellular data. To quickly turn off Wi-Fi, open Control Center and make sure the cellular data icon is on.

3. Enable Cellular Data for Maps

You have cellular data enabled and your plan is active and you have enough bandwidth left. However, the cellular option must be enabled for individual apps in Settings. Maybe it’s turned off for Apple Maps?

Open Settings > Cellular and open Apple Maps if it isn’t already.

4. Check Coverage

Open Signal is an excellent application to check if there is sufficient mobile network coverage in your area. Maybe your network provider is offering incomplete or slow speeds and is having connection problems. Using Open Signal you can scratch the mobile network in your area and navigate to a place with a better signal. It will plot cell tower locations on a map for you to easily track.

Download Opensignal

5. Enable Location Service for Maps

We’ve seen how we have to individually enable cellular service for apps like maps. The same goes for GPS. You need to enable it along with a few other options to let Maps do its thing.

Open Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Maps and you will see three options. You need to select While Using the App.

We’ve also enabled Precise Location for Maps as it gives better and more accurate results for your current location.

Note: Turning GPS off and back on can also help get things started quickly in the Maps app. Worth to try. Wait a few minutes before opening it from Control Center.

6. Disable Bluetooth

Bluetooth can be unreliable, especially when it has to work the hardest. Disable Bluetooth if you’re using it to connect to external GPS devices like a Fitbit or even your car’s GPS unit. Although not required, we recommend restarting the Apple Maps app once.

7. Storage Issues

You should only pay attention to this if the Apple Maps app crashes. What happens is that there is no space left to write data and due to crashes, the application will suddenly stop working. The Maps app will close and you will return to the home screen. Add to that the fact that Apple charges a premium for additional storage. Many users opt for lower storage models to save money.

You can check the storage under Settings > General > iPhone Storage. You will see the total storage space remaining with a breakdown of each app installed on the iPhone by app. Another way to clear space is to upload some files to iCloud or Google Photos.

8. Reset Network Settings

iPhone users encountering network related problems should try resetting network settings on iPhone. This has nothing to do with your apps and data, and you can always have a backup in iCloud if you’re worried.

Open Settings > General > Reset and select Reset Network Settings.

For security reasons, you will be asked to enter the password. Follow the on-screen instructions. Note that you will need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and re-enter the password, so make sure you have the password with you.

9. Reset Location and Privacy Settings

The same logic applies here as in the previous point. Resetting location and privacy settings can help fix common errors with apps that depend on GPS to do their job. Go back to the same screen as in the previous step, but this time select Reset Location and Privacy.

Note that every GPS app you have installed on your iPhone will ask for permission again. Tap on Allow when the popup appears. It should be when you launch the Apple Maps app.

My World Map

Apple Maps is good, but Google Maps still pulls it out of the water. Also, there are many offline map apps that you can use without an active internet connection. We recommend using them as the Internet and mobile network connectivity has improved. However, they are not there yet, especially when you go on a journey to faraway places. What are you thinking? Let us know in the comments section below.

Next: Get the most out of Google Maps features with these great hacks. Here are the best Google Maps tricks you should use in 2019. Take a look!