iOS 26 Maps: Apple Learns Your Commute

Apple Maps Enhanced with Proactive Commute Insights

Apple Maps is set to receive significant enhancements designed to improve understanding of user commutes and provide timely, traffic-aware recommendations.

These updates to Maps were unveiled by Apple during WWDC 2025 on Monday, and are scheduled for release with iOS 26.

Learning Your Regular Routes

The core of the upgrade lies in the iPhone’s ability to learn frequently traveled routes. It will now identify and remember your typical journeys – to work, home, or locations like your children’s school.

Within the Maps application, the iPhone will proactively suggest these learned routes, enabling users to assess commute times before departure.

Proactive Traffic Rerouting

Even without initiating navigation for a familiar route, the iPhone will offer alternative pathways if traffic congestion or unexpected delays are detected.

Apple’s intention is to assist users in reaching their destinations punctually, minimizing disruptions caused by unforeseen circumstances.

Remembered Locations and Privacy

Users will also gain the ability to have their iPhone remember frequently visited establishments, such as restaurants and shops.

This feature aims to aid in recalling past locations, allowing for easy review of visited places within the Maps library.

The system allows for simple deletion of recorded locations via a swipe gesture, and user privacy is maintained through comprehensive end-to-end encryption.

Broader WWDC 2025 Announcements

The Apple Maps update for iOS 26 was just one of numerous announcements made at WWDC 2025 on Monday.

Other key reveals included a redesign of the software framework, granting app developers access to the iPhone’s integrated AI models.

Furthermore, Apple announced deeper integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT directly into the iPhone experience.