To get walking directions in Apple Maps on iPhone, search for a place (or touch and hold on the map), tap the directions button, and tap Go or Steps for the walking route you want. Apple says you can tap Options below Directions to avoid hills, stairs, or busy roads.
These steps come from Apple’s iPhone User Guide pages Get walking directions, Change how you hear directions, and Choose a default travel mode. Apple notes that turn-by-turn spoken directions aren’t available in every country or region.
How to Get Walking Directions
- Open the Maps app.
- Search for an address, or touch and hold a spot on the map.
- Tap the directions button. If Maps shows a different travel mode, switch to walking.
- Tap Go for spoken turn-by-turn directions, or Steps for a written list.
Result: Apple says that when you tap Go, Maps speaks walking-specific directions as you walk, including turns and moves like walking up stairs. You can also ask Siri something like “Give me walking directions home.”
How to Make Walking the Default
Apple says Maps uses your preferred travel mode when you ask for directions. To set walking as the default:
- In Maps, tap your picture or initials next to the search field.
- Tap Preferences, then choose your travel mode.
- Tap Maps Settings at the bottom for more options.
Result: New directions open in walking mode. Apple notes that if you don’t see your picture or initials, tap Cancel next to the search field first.
How to Avoid Hills, Stairs, or Busy Roads
- Get walking directions to a place.
- Tap Options below Directions.
- Under Avoid, choose hills, busy roads, or stairs, then close the panel.
Result: Maps picks a route that avoids what you chose. Apple says you can also preview the elevation for your walk.
Going on a trail instead? Apple says Maps includes thousands of trails in U.S. parks, with their length, elevation preview, and photos, in its hikes feature.
How to Make Directions Louder or Quieter
- Start directions and tap Go.
- Tap the Audio Control button on the map and choose an option.
- To change the default, go to Settings > Apps > Maps > Spoken Directions and pick a Voice Volume.
Apple adds a few related settings in the same Spoken Directions menu, such as Directions Pause Spoken Audio to pause podcasts and audiobooks during each step, and Directions Wake Device to turn the screen on for each step. To change the voice or language, go to Settings > Siri.
Use AR Walking Directions
Apple says immersive walking directions use the iPhone camera and augmented reality to show where to turn. To turn it on, go to Settings > Apps > Maps, tap Walking under Directions, and turn on Raise to View. Then start walking directions, raise your iPhone, and follow the onscreen instructions.
In the same menu, Apple says Enhanced uses the camera and motion sensors to better track your location and direction while walking. You can turn it off to save battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t I hear spoken walking directions?
Apple says spoken directions need an internet connection and Precise Location. If your route starts somewhere other than My Location, you’ll see Steps instead of Go, and no directions are spoken. See how to turn Location Services on or off.
How do I switch Maps between miles and kilometers?
Apple says to go to Settings > General > Language & Region > Measurement System. See how to switch between miles and kilometers on iPhone.
Use ride-sharing apps with Maps? See how to check extension permissions in iPhone Maps.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.