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Why Apple Maps so slow on iOS: how to fix freezing and lagging
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iPhone users sometimes face the problem of freezing when using the Apple Maps app. Often such situations end in a crash. In addition, there are often errors of this type in the application: traffic not working and directions not available. All of them are related to the incorrect operation of the application and related services in iOS.
Figuring out the cause is not easy for the average user, so it's worth trying all options for a solution to fix Apple Maps lags and glitches.
Table of Contents
Apple maps is slow
Problem: Apple maps doesn't show map
Solution: Check the internet speed
Apple Maps needs a stable and fast Internet connection to show a map. If the connection is slow, the app will slow down and will not be able to load maps quickly while driving.
You can check the speed through the online service Speedtest. It has over 5,000 servers around the world. Manually select one of them in the settings or use auto-selection.
To run the test,
- Go to the website,
- Select 10 M option,
- Wait for the result.
Speedtest will save the history of the test, allowing you to keep track of speed changes. The app shows the ping, incoming and outgoing traffic speeds.
Check your WiFi speedFix iOS technical errors
Problem: Apple Maps keeps crashing
Solution:
If there are failures on the iPhone and Apple maps keeps crashing, it will give information about the error. The notification usually looks like "Unknown error" with the number. There are many variants of such errors, you can read about the specific number on the official Apple website.
You can check your iPhone for errors with special apps. One such app is TestM, available for download in the App Store. It checks all the components of the smartphone and identifies faults.
During the first run, the app will check the performance of the device, then it will offer a general check - full or in quick mode. Operation is simple, follow the instructions on the screen.
Go to Safe Mode
In Safe Mode, you can eliminate glitchy processes and restore a basic version of iOS. This mode in iPhone allows you to uninstall apps that are running with errors, disable extensions, and configure settings.
To put your iPhone into safe mode, do the following steps:
- Turn off your device, wait 30 seconds and turn it on again.
- While the system is booting up, press the volume down button continuously.
- When the Apple logo appears, stop pressing the volume button. Wait for safe mode to load.
You can now uninstall apps that are crashing or adjust settings.
To exit safe mode, tap the "Reboot" button on the screen. If it doesn't work, press the power button and home screen button at the same time. Hold them down until the reboot begins. If an unlock slide appears on the screen, do not touch it.
Traffic not working when route is created
Problem: I use Driving mode in the Apple Maps app. When I create a new route, the traffic information is not available, highlighting and indication do not work.
Make sure that cellular data or Wi-Fi is turned on, and that you have an active connection.Close the Maps app, then open it again. Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.Try a different location or switch to a different Wi-Fi network.
Solutions.
Method 1. Check the quality of your Internet connection. Wi-Fi or cellular connection should be stable and data transfer rate should be high. In case of problems with traffic information display,
Step 1. Switch from one type of connection to another. Step 2. If the method does not work, restart the Maps app and iPhone.
Method 2. Update Apple Maps and iOS
If the iPhone software version is outdated, the apps may not work due to incompatibility.
To install the latest available system updates, do the following:
- Go to Settings - General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- Install the latest version of iOS (Download and install button) and restart iPhone.
To do this, the iPhone must be connected to a wireless Internet network or to Mac. When connected to Mac, the software is downloaded via Finder or iTunes. This option allows you to download a more complete update than installing it in the settings.
Directions not available
Problem: Apple Maps Directions not available The directions not available error in apple maps appears when the user's current location is not defined. Most often it happens because Location Services are disabled on the iPhone or there is a problem with the operation of these services.
Solutions
The following methods will help fix the error:
Method 1: Enabling Location Services
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
- Check the Location Services setting: the option must be enabled, must be On.
- For the Maps application, set the Location Services access permission (the While Using the App or Widgets option)
Method 2. Make sure that the Internet is stable
If there are glitches when receiving data from the Internet, the Maps app may have trouble finding a route or determining the user's current location. Therefore:
- If you are using Wi-Fi, switch to cellular connection.
- If the cellular connection is unstable, switch to Wi-Fi if possible
Method 3. Go to Google Maps or Waze
Apple's maps were created as a counterpart to Google's navigators. They are inferior in terms of map accuracy, and they are more likely to have errors in operation. So you should consider replacing Apple Maps with Google Maps or Waze from Google.
The apps are available for download in the App Store.
Weak connection to GPS satellites possible
Apple Maps tracks your device's geolocation to show your location on a map and plot your route. If the GPS connection is weak, the app won't work as it should. There will be freezes, incorrect positioning of the device.
Check whether this feature is enabled on your iPhone:
- Go to Settings, find the Privacy and Security section.
- Check that the option Location Services is activated.
- In the Maps section, set it to While using the App.
- Check if the time and date and time zone are set correctly. If there is an Internet connection, use automatic detection.
- Save the settings and restart the Maps app.
- Test the app with a different location or in a different Wi-Fi network.
The accuracy of GPS detection depends on the number of satellites and signal quality. It takes a few minutes to automatically find all the satellites in view. The more satellites you find, the more accurate your location will be.
Obstacles such as tall buildings, mountains, roofs, and walls can interfere with the signal. If there is no GPS signal from a satellite, the device uses cell towers and Wi-Fi networks for geolocation.
Apple maps is slow down
Problem: The iPhone and the apps on it can slow down because the internal memory is too full. Even a high-performance device will be slow if there are only a few gigabytes left.
Here's a simple fix.
- Upload photos and videos to cloud storage and delete them from your phone.
- Download a list of unused apps and delete unnecessary ones.
- Conveniently manage your iPhone's memory through the "iPhone Storage" menu in the main settings section.
Close background apps
All apps installed on your smartphone download updates in the background, that is, while it is not in use. This can put a strain on the operating system, and a lot of traffic can be used to update. Because of this, other apps may run slower than usual.
You can disable background updates for all apps or select some. To do this,
- Go to "Settings" -> "General" -> "Background app refresh"
- Set your own settings and restrictions.

Ilia is a professional writer. He has expert knowledge in GPS and cartography with 15 years of experience. Additionally, Ilia has extensive experience in data recovery on PC and mobile. He started his career as a journalist by reviewing PC and mobile apps. His current responsibilities are to keep track of users' questions on MGT and answer them.