There’s No Way to make this as private as they are saying. At this point Apple fans everywhere are starting to feel like padme in revenge of the with. Applekin you’re breaking our hearts 🤣
Apple is planning to introduce ads to the Apple Maps app in the near future, and the iOS 26.5 beta lays the groundwork for the feature.
Code in the update says the following: "Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search."
Apple also says that a user's location and ads interacted with in Apple Maps are not linked to an Apple account to protect user privacy. Apple does not plan to collect or store Maps app data, or share it with third parties.
Last week, Apple said that ads are coming to the Apple Maps app for iPhone and iPad in the U.S. and Canada "this summer."
Businesses in the U.S. and Canada will be able to show ads in search results and at the top of a "Suggested Places" section in the app, which is new in iOS 26.5. Suggested Places displays recommendations for locations to visit based on trending places nearby, recent searches, and more.
Ads in the Maps app will have a clear "Ad" label, much like the ads shown in the App Store search results.
Article Link: Apple Lays Groundwork for Ads in Maps With iOS 26.5
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Apple Lays Groundwork for Ads in Maps With iOS 26.5
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Well for my car at least I can fall back to my Garmin.
Apple is planning to introduce ads to the Apple Maps app in the near future, and the iOS 26.5 beta lays the groundwork for the feature.
Code in the update says the following: "Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search."
Apple also says that a user's location and ads interacted with in Apple Maps are not linked to an Apple account to protect user privacy. Apple does not plan to collect or store Maps app data, or share it with third parties.
Last week, Apple said that ads are coming to the Apple Maps app for iPhone and iPad in the U.S. and Canada "this summer."
Businesses in the U.S. and Canada will be able to show ads in search results and at the top of a "Suggested Places" section in the app, which is new in iOS 26.5. Suggested Places displays recommendations for locations to visit based on trending places nearby, recent searches, and more.
Ads in the Maps app will have a clear "Ad" label, much like the ads shown in the App Store search results.
Article Link: Apple Lays Groundwork for Ads in Maps With iOS 26.5
Spacewiz
macrumors member
CrApple strikes again. Add crap like this to the crappy experience with my iPhone 17 pro camera, and slowly but surely Android products are becoming worth a closer look...as is going back to a "dumb" phone that just make calls and handles text messages.
As for using maps in general, yeah I still have and use paper maps too. It helps keeps the mind sharp.
As for using maps in general, yeah I still have and use paper maps too. It helps keeps the mind sharp.
I think we need to be prepared for a campaign of filing bug/feedback reports and sending emails to Apple to let them know once we see what this is. Apple is lucky the competition is also rapidly degrading their products too.
A better title might be “Apple lays groundwork for accelerating Maps exodus..”
switz
Contributor
I wanted to see a map, not the smell of a barn yard coming out of my iPhone.
The problem is now most folks have "unlimited" data so Apple can load up the airways with adds.
But speeds go down in the rural areas, which is where one often needs road directions, not information on a diner two counties away.
Darn shame they are turning Apple into just another huckster wagon like all the other horrible outfits out there peddling lousy adds.
The problem is now most folks have "unlimited" data so Apple can load up the airways with adds.
But speeds go down in the rural areas, which is where one often needs road directions, not information on a diner two counties away.
Darn shame they are turning Apple into just another huckster wagon like all the other horrible outfits out there peddling lousy adds.
Devnul0
macrumors 6502
Over half the time, Maps doesn't even show me the names of the roads I'm looking at. Zoom in, zoom out, pan around … no name, and sometimes no route number either (when there should be one). And as others have noted, lots of businesses and points of interest are missing. They should be thinking about fixing those things, not thinking about something that's so stupid you can't even fathom the pointy-hairness of the person making the decision.
Black_Mage
Contributor
Trying to put a positive spin on this decision, maybe this will give locally owned businesses an opportunity to do some effective advertising.
This is very disappointing. It's not like Apple is hurting for money. Greed is a hell of a drug.
This is very disappointing. It's not like Apple is hurting for money. Greed is a hell of a drug.
Yeah Google Maps is downloaded on mine. With the oil crisis, being able to see gas station prices is nice. Apple Maps doesn’t have that (Or better ground view).
The whole ads thing IS the suppository.
I mean ads in general.
It’s a global embarrassment and exploitation that we’re all being subjected to this bs.
I mean, it sucks, sure, but it’s not the end of the world, and there’s quite frankly bigger issues for me to worry about.
Ads are very destructive. They are increasingly manipulative and intrusive.
No one should be satisfied with paid services becoming ad supported. We’ve paid for our Apple devices in the first place.
AngstyKylo
macrumors regular
Just like all the Nike and lingering Apple product placement in most Apple TV shows as well. Nothing new, but it feels tacky for a paid service. Severance and Pluribus being notable exceptions.
Before you know it, they'll find ways to insert ads into our dreams. I sure hope this hasn't given anyone any ideas. If it has, I demand my cut!
Graphate
macrumors regular
I am one of the monsters that is actually looking forward to ads in maps for a few reasons, which may or may not be valid:
Maps are more or less already one big advertisement platform already. They tend to be business relevant and actual places. While… I will be fairly annoyed if MacRumors.com can advertise its website on maps… I don’t mind if Gregorio’s basement pizza can.
Maps are more or less already one big advertisement platform already. They tend to be business relevant and actual places. While… I will be fairly annoyed if MacRumors.com can advertise its website on maps… I don’t mind if Gregorio’s basement pizza can.
Poot Windbreaker
macrumors member
Can we turn liquid glass to zero for everything else on the phone, but up to 100% for the ads/suggested places? I want it to be so seamless it's invisible.
Nihilvor
macrumors regular
Also, not everyone pays for unlimited data. I've loved how easy it has been to download maps to conserve data on long trips. I'm going to use a different app if I'm going to burn data on stupid ads over a five-hour drive. That, or I'd have to turn off data completely and lose the advantages of live map updates.
The "suggested places" idea overlaying the map is probably the worst of the two.
The "suggested places" idea overlaying the map is probably the worst of the two.
