How to Fix Apple Maps Not Working Issue on iPhone?

Apple Maps might stop working, get stuck, or show “No Results Found” even for simple searches if it can’t get the right location or network information from its servers. This usually happens when the app can’t make a steady connection to Apple’s servers, so it can’t load maps or find routes.

Most often, this is caused by a weak internet connection or when a VPN is getting in the way. Other possible reasons include the wrong date or time set on your device, Location Services being turned off, or a problem with your device’s settings.

In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this error.

1. Force Restart Your Apple Device

A common cause of Apple Maps problems is a temporary glitch in your device or the app itself. Force restarting your Apple device can often resolve these minor bugs. Here’s how to do it on an iPhone:

Before you start, make sure you’re in a country where Apple Maps is supported, as not all features work everywhere. Also, check whether there’s an Apple server outage by visiting Apple’s status page—you’ll have to wait if there is. Finally, ensure your device’s time and time zone are set correctly.

1. Press your iPhone’s volume up button once, then quickly press the volume down button.
2. Now press and hold the side button (power button).

   

3. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo, then release the button. If you see the power options menu, don’t let go—keep holding until you see the logo.
4. After the phone restarts, open Apple Maps and check if it’s now working properly.
5. If it’s still not working, close and reopen Apple Maps, and then repeat the force restart steps above.
6. When the phone turns back on, try Apple Maps again.
7. If the issue only happens while connecting your device to your car via USB, try a different USB cable (preferably an official Apple cable).

2. Disable Focus Mode on Your Device

Focus mode helps you filter notifications and manage distractions, but it can sometimes interfere with apps like Apple Maps. Turning off Focus mode might help fix your navigation problems.

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings and tap Focus.

   

2. Open a Focus option (like Do Not Disturb) and check that it’s switched off.

   

3. If a schedule is set, turn it off too.

   

4. Adjust settings for Manual activation or disable “Turn on Automatically.”
5. Repeat this check for any other Focus modes you have set up.
6. Open Apple Maps again to see if the issue is resolved.

3. Update Your Carrier Settings

If your carrier settings are outdated, your device might have trouble communicating with Apple Maps’ servers. Updating these settings could solve the problem.

1. Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi and open Settings.
2. Tap General and select About.

   

3. If a carrier update is available, you’ll be prompted to download and install it.
4. Restart your iPhone and check if Apple Maps is now working.

4. Re-enable Data Access for Apple Maps

Sometimes, Apple Maps can’t access mobile data or the internet due to a system glitch. Giving Maps a fresh start with data access can help.

1. Open your iPhone’s Settings and select Maps.

   

2. Switch off Cellular Data for Maps and force restart your iPhone.

   

3. When your phone turns back on, disable Wi-Fi and open Apple Maps.
4. If Maps asks for data access, enable Cellular Data and check if things are back to normal.

5. Recalibrate Your Compass

If your device’s compass isn’t calibrated, Apple Maps may have trouble working correctly. Recalibrating the compass can help.

1. Open Settings and tap Privacy.

   

2. Select Location Services, then tap System Services.

   

3. Turn off Compass Calibration, and force restart your iPhone.

   

4. After your device restarts, turn Compass Calibration back on and then try opening Apple Maps again.

6. Re-enable Location Services on Your Device

Location Services are vital for Apple Maps to work. If there’s a glitch, turning Location Services off and on again can help.

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings and choose Privacy.
2. Select Location Services and toggle it off.

   

3. Force restart your iPhone, then turn Location Services on again once it powers up.
4. Open Apple Maps and see if it’s working now.

7. Reset Location Permissions for Apple Maps

Apple Maps needs permission to access your location. If there’s an issue with these permissions, maps may not function correctly. Disabling and then re-enabling these permissions can help.

1. Force restart your iPhone, then go to Settings.
2. Go to Privacy > Location Services.

   

3. Select Maps and set Allow Location Access to Ask Next Time.

   

4. Turn on Precise Location, and then open Apple Maps.
5. If prompted for location access, allow it and see if Maps now works.
6. If not, try setting Allow Location Access to While Using the App.
7. If issues continue, select Always.

   

8. If it’s still not fixed, repeat the force restart process.
9. In Settings, tap on General > Reset > Reset Location and Privacy.

   

10. Confirm this option.

    

11. Reopen Apple Maps, grant it the requested permissions, and test it out.

8. Disable Bluetooth on Your Device

If Apple Maps tries to connect to a Bluetooth device (like a headset or car system) that isn’t available, it can cause issues. Turning off Bluetooth can sometimes fix this.

1. Open your iPad (or iPhone) Settings and tap Bluetooth.

   

2. Turn Bluetooth off and try opening Apple Maps again.
3. If Maps works, but you need Bluetooth for audio, open Apple Maps, bring up Control Center, and tap the Audio Output box.
4. Select only your device (like “iPhone”) for audio output—uncheck all others.
5. Check Apple Maps again.

9. Enable Directions on Radio in Your Settings

If you use Maps in the car but can’t hear directions, enabling the “Directions on Radio” feature may help.

1. Open Settings > Maps.
2. Tap Spoken Directions and turn on Directions on Radio.

   

3. Test Apple Maps in your car to see if you now get audio directions.

10. Try a Different Network Connection

Your current network might not be strong or fast enough for Apple Maps, or your data allowance may have run out. Switching to another network can help.

1. Disconnect from your current network and restart your device.
2. Connect to another network. If you were using mobile data, try Wi-Fi, and vice versa, or try a mobile hotspot from a different phone or carrier.

   

3. Open Apple Maps and see if it works now.
4. If not, close Maps and use a VPN app (install one if you don’t have it).
5. Connect the VPN to a nearby country and try Apple Maps again.

11. Renew the Network Lease on Your Mac

If you’re using a Mac, Apple Maps might have issues if the server is blocking your current IP address. Renewing your network lease can provide a new one.

1. Restart your Mac, then go to System Preferences.
2. Select Security & Privacy > Privacy.
3. Click on Location Services and switch them off.
4. Then go to Network > Advanced.
5. Select TCP/IP and click Renew DHCP Lease.

   

6. Enable Location Services again and test Apple Maps.

12. Disable Background App Refresh for Other Apps

Some apps running in the background can use up a lot of data, leaving less for Apple Maps, which can cause problems. Disabling background app refresh for other apps can help, but note this could affect how other apps function.

1. Open Settings > General.
2. Tap Background App Refresh and turn it off.

   

3. Try Apple Maps. If it works, re-enable background refresh one app at a time to spot the troublemaker.

13. Clear Cache on Your Mac

If Apple Maps caches get corrupted on your Mac, the app might not work well. Clearing these caches could help.

1. In Finder, click Go > Go to Folder.
2. Type in ~/Library/ to go to your library folder and create a new folder.

   

3. Name it caches.OLD.
4. Create another folder named LaunchDemons.OLD.
5. Move everything from the original caches folder into caches.OLD.
6. Move everything from the LaunchDemons folder into LaunchDemons.OLD.
7. Restart your Mac and test Apple Maps.
8. If needed, also try deleting the ~/Library/Caches/GeoServices folder (after backing it up), then restart.

   ~/Library/Caches/GeoServices

9. Alternatively, try clearing the ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Maps folder (again, back it up), then restart.

   ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Maps

10. If that doesn’t work, create a new administrator user account on your Mac and see if Maps works there.

14. Uninstall Conflicting Apps

Other apps—especially those related to navigation or music, like Spotify, Pandora, Waze, or Google Maps—can sometimes interfere with Apple Maps. Uninstalling them may help. Here’s how to remove Google Maps to troubleshoot:

1. Tap and hold the Google Maps app on your Home screen.
2. Select Remove App and confirm deletion.

   

3. Force restart your phone, then check Apple Maps. If Maps works correctly, you can reinstall Google Maps afterward.

If a music app (like Pandora) is causing trouble, try disabling its microphone access in Privacy settings and see if this solves the problem.

15. Reinstall the Apple Maps App

If your Apple Maps installation is damaged, removing and reinstalling it should help.

1. Tap and hold the Apple Maps icon on your Home screen.
2. Tap Remove App, then Delete App.

   

3. Restart your device, then open the App Store.
4. Search for Apple Maps and reinstall it.
5. Open Maps and test it.
6. If this doesn’t help, try deleting Maps again, restart your device, sign out of your Apple ID in the App Store (by tapping your profile in the top right), then reinstall Maps.
7. Additionally, ensure Maps is enabled in your iCloud settings.

   

8. If nothing works, open Apple Maps, tap for help, and send feedback describing your issue.

16. Reset Network Settings on Your Device

Corrupt or incomplete network settings can block Apple Maps. Resetting them can often resolve issues. Be aware that you will lose all saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings, so make sure you have those details backed up.

1. Open Settings > General.
2. Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings.

   

3. Confirm to reset. Once the device restarts, rejoin your networks and check if Maps is working.

17. Reset All Settings on Your Apple Device

If network settings weren’t the cause, you can reset all settings on your device. This will revert everything to factory defaults except your personal data. Make a note of any settings or login info you may need to re-enter.

1. Open Settings > General.
2. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.

   

3. Confirm the reset and check Apple Maps after your device restarts.

18. Reset Your Device to Factory Defaults

If nothing else solves the problem, your device’s system might be corrupted—perhaps due to an incomplete update—preventing Apple Maps from running right. Restoring your device to factory settings will erase all your data, apps, and settings, so back up everything first. Here’s a quick guide for iPhones:

1. In Settings, tap General.
2. Select Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

   

3. Confirm the reset and wait for the process to complete.
4. Set up the iPhone as a new device (not from a previous backup).
5. Once setup is complete, try using Apple Maps.