Frequent Locations

6 handy tips for using Apple Maps on Apple Watch

Sandy Writtenhouse / November 18, 2020

Maps on Apple Watch is probably one of those apps you only open when you really need it. Maybe you need directions or want to look up a recent spot. But you can explore Maps on Apple Watch just like you would on your iPhone or Mac.

Of course you can do things like see your spot on a map if you’re traveling and in an unfamiliar location. But you can also get the hours or phone number for a nearby business or check out one of the curated city guides introduced with iOS 14.

Make the most of the Maps app on your Apple Watch with these helpful tips.

How to use Lists in Google Maps on iPhone and iPad

Sandy Writtenhouse / September 1, 2020

Like saving locations you enjoy in Apple Maps, you can hold onto your favorite spots in Google Maps too. And with the List feature, you can take advantage of pre-made lists, create your own, share them with friends, publish them for other Google Maps users, and more.

For using Google Maps to its fullest on iPhone and iPad, we’ll show you how to use Lists along with helpful tips.

How to create themed Collections of places in Apple Maps

Sandy Writtenhouse / September 24, 2019

Updated with iOS 13, the Maps app offers some new features that users will appreciate. One of these features is Collections. This new tool lets you assemble a group of places for quick and easy access. You can use this for places you plan to visit on a trip or cool spots you want to share with a friend.

Here’s how to create themed Collections of places in the Apple Maps app.

How to keep your iPhone from knowing where you are going next

Anthony Bouchard / January 16, 2018

Your iPhone is equipped with a feature called Frequent Locations, which slowly tracks your location in the background to keep you updated via the Today View and the Lock screen on how long it would take you to get to your favorite places based on how often you visit them.

If you choose to enable Location Services during the initial iPhone setup, this feature will be enabled by default, so if you feel like it is a slight hindrance on your ability to remain private, you just might be right. In this tutorial, we'll show you how you can disable the feature and keep your iPhone from knowing where you are going next.

Apple responds to Chinese media warning against iPhone location tracking

Cody Lee / July 13, 2014

Last week, China's state-run China Central Television broadcasted a report that labeled the iPhone as a "national security concern." More specifically, the CCTV criticized the “frequent locations” function in iOS 7, which records time and location for the owner’s movements.

Yesterday, Apple issued an official response to the report on its Chinese website. The statement reaffirms the company's commitment to privacy, and states that the Location Services found in the iOS firmware are only used to help users for activities that require navigation...

How to use Frequent Locations and Maps Destinations features in iOS

Sébastien Page / April 3, 2017

A few days ago, I posted a screenshot of my Notification Center showing travel time to my next destination, something iOS had learned about me without any sort of data input of my part. A few people asked me how I managed to get this information in my Notification Center. I believed it was a commonly used feature of iOS, but apparently I was wrong.

In this simple tutorial, I will show you how to use the Frequent Locations in iOS in order to find out information about your next destination. Privacy activists may want to skip this one.

A closer look at Frequent Locations in iOS 7

Christian Zibreg / August 8, 2013

Apple's iOS 7 upgrade, when it lands this Fall, will allow users to opt-in to mapping where they've been since installing the software, how many times and for how long. The Frequent Locations feature, which first appeared in iOS 7 Beta, is found in Settings. When enabled, it permits iOS devices to use GPS coordinates of the places you frequently visit, Apple explains.

The opt-in, consumer-facing feature is provided for the purposes of improving Maps (and other location-based products and services), providing useful location-related information and letting you check out a handy map history of the places you've visited. Here's what you need to know about Frequent Locations in iOS 7...