iOS 15: How to Get AR Walking Directions in Maps

[MacRumors]

In iOS 15, Apple's Maps app benefits from a range of new features and improvements, including the ability to use augmented reality walking directions in big cities.

In a nod to Google Maps, the new AR mode can map walking directions onto the real world by using your iPhone's rear camera, making it easier to see where you need to go in built-up areas and reducing the need to look down at your smartphone as you move.

First, initiate a walking route, then simply raise your iPhone and scan the buildings around you when prompted. The step-by-step directions will appear in the AR mode automatically, which should make it easier to get where you need to go, especially in situations where the directions are tricky.

The AR feature is available from late 2021 in major supported cities including London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadephia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington DC.

Note that to get augmented reality walking directions, your iPhone will need an A12 chip or later. The A12 was first used in the ‌iPhone‌ XS, XS Max, and XR, which came out in 2018, which means that iPhones released after 2018 are compatible with the AR feature.

Article Link: iOS 15: How to Get AR Walking Directions in Maps

 

[justperry]

Gimmick...as in, too few places have this.

This should be available in all places in the world, that would be (almost) impossible though.

 

[_Spinn_]

Looks cool and I can see this being useful is some cases. That being said I’m not sure how much I will need it.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗]

No more asking people around for directions anymore.

AR is the future.

 

[JonGarrett]

No more asking people around for directions anymore.

I can't think of anything more annoying than a person with a smart phone in their hands asking me for directions.

Sir, Ma'am you have a map in your hands--use it.

 

[contacos]

Y‘all get AR walking directions in the US while my apartment building does not even exist on Apple Maps 😅

 

[one more]

The AR feature is available from late 2021 in major supported cities including London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadephia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington DC.

This makes a whooping 7 cities in the world! /s

Why can’t it work anywhere as long as our hardware supports it (A12 and newer). Sure enough, we can get walking directions in many places worldwide, so this is just a Maps overlay on top of what our cameras capture. Or am I missing something?

Edit: just tried it with Google Maps in Geneva and guess what? It works!

 

[Baritone_Guy]

Why do we need OS updates to get updates to apps like maps or most of the default apps. Android solved this a long time ago. Apple really needs to modernize iOS.

 

[hagar]

Why do we need OS updates to get updates to apps like maps or most of the default apps. Android solved this a long time ago. Apple really needs to modernize iOS.

It doesn’t. New cities can and will be added over time server-side.
Unfortunately at the pace of 3 cities per year or so. I guess because the Apple Maps team only has 6 interns.

 

[redmac]

Gimmick...as in, too few places have this.

This should be available in all places in the world, that would be (almost) impossible though.

If it's a gimmick, why do you want it?

Seriously though, Apple just finished mapping US and a few other countries. How do you expect them to add AR walking directions that needs the look around feature, in places where they did not even send street view image capturing cars yet? Eventually, they will finish mapping most of the world, and you'll get what you want.

It took Google about a decade to finish mapping a third of the world. The features you expect Apple to release overnight did not come to Google Maps that early. When Apple started working on creating their own maps, Google had already completed theirs. Be patient, give Apple Maps some time. There are good signs that eventually they will be the maps service that others copy.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I thought it would be everywhere. I guess I'll wait.

 

[Deguello]

No more asking people around for directions anymore.

AR is the future.

I didn’t learn ¿Dónde está la biblioteca? for nothing.

 

[Airforcekid]

I can't think of anything more annoying than a person with a smart phone in their hands asking me for directions.

Sir, Ma'am you have a map in your hands--use it.

Maps are not always accurate or easy to comprehend especially with a weak GPS signal around larger buildings. If I need to make time and cant chance messing up ill always ask confirmation over just trusting my phone and id be angry if someone who worked for me tried that excuse as well instead of asking.

 

[entropys]

It doesn’t. New cities can and will be added over time server-side.
Unfortunately at the pace of 3 cities per year or so. I guess because the Apple Maps team only has 6 interns.

I think you are grossly overestimating Apple’s investment in Maps.

The entire mapping team consists of a sight impaired, rheumatic and overweight octogenarian and his three legged seeing eye dog.

 

[Klae17]

We still dont have street view in most cities and flyover is a joke.

 

[batmccoy]

iOS 15 is not out yet.

 

[Damian83]

Considering this tecnology is based on camera+gps i dont understand why it will works only in certain cities. What if ill use it in an unsuppported city? floating people and street names in a middle of nowhere??

 

[Deguello]

Considering this tecnology is based on camera+gps i dont understand why it will works only in certain cities. What if ill use it in an unsuppported city? floating people and street names in a middle of nowhere??

Presumably, if you’re not in a supported GPS location, you won’t get a prompt and holding up your phone will show you the same map screen, only vertically.

But it’s not like I can verify that at the moment.

 

[BGPL]

Why do we need OS updates to get updates to apps like maps or most of the default apps. Android solved this a long time ago. Apple really needs to modernize iOS.

Apple wants you to upgrade to the latest iOS. They could easily add app updates for integrated apps, but then we'd have people on iOS 9 in 2021. It's the donut dangling from the string. For you it might be something else, but for me it's a donut. A sprinkle donut.

 

[BvizioN]

Y‘all get AR walking directions in the US while my apartment building does not even exist on Apple Maps ?

Hmmm!! It does show on my Apple Maps

 

[Damian83]

Presumably, if you’re not in a supported GPS location, you won’t get a prompt and holding up your phone will show you the same map screen, only vertically.

But it’s not like I can verify that at the moment.

my question was ironic, meaning that camera + gps is enough to work everywhere. yes, gps must be precise in this case. however if apple cant make photos of all cities then pay license to google for streetview. never found yet a street not present on streetview considering everyone can make photos of new built streets.

there are more new streets built around the world every day than those that apple can makes photos...

 

[one more]

Seriously though, Apple just finished mapping US and a few other countries. How do you expect them to add AR walking directions that needs the look around feature, in places where they did not even send street view image capturing cars yet? Eventually, they will finish mapping most of the world, and you'll get what you want.

I don’t think it has anything to do with street view, you just need a GPS location and some arrows overlay on top of what is “seen” by your iPhone’s camera. Basically, it should work anywhere in the world where Apple’s walking directions are available, IMO.

 

[srbNYC]

"First, initiate a walking route, then simply raise your iPhone and scan the buildings around you when prompted."

Has anyone tried this? I'm in NYC, running the latest iOS beta on my iPhone XS. Started a walking route and held up my phone. Then what? I felt kind of silly holding up my phone and waiting for a prompt!