Maps & Location

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Learn how to integrate MapKit and Core Location to unlock the power of location-based features in your app.

Maps & Location Documentation

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Issue with calculating the distance between two points on a map
I have an error issue that I haven’t been able to solve despite doing extensive research. In fact the similar examples I have found so far have been educational but I have not been able to make work. The example below I am hoping will be easy to fix as it is only producing errors with one line of code… import SwiftUI import CoreLocation var currentLon = Double() var currentLat = Double() extension CLLocation { class func distance(from: CLLocationCoordinate2D, to: CLLocationCoordinate2D) -> CLLocationDistance { let from = CLLocation(latitude: from.latitude, longitude: from.longitude) let to = CLLocation(latitude: to.latitude, longitude: to.longitude) return from.distance(from: to) } func locationManager(_ manager: CLLocationManager, didUpdateLocations locations: [CLLocation]) { currentLon = (locations.last?.coordinate.longitude)! currentLat = (locations.last?.coordinate.latitude)! }/*⚠️ Not sure if this function will work? (Update User Location coordinates on the move?)*/ } struct Positions: Identifiable { let id = UUID() let name: String let latitude: Double let longitude: Double var coordinate: CLLocationCoordinate2D { CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: latitude, longitude: longitude) } } struct GameMapView: View { let from = CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: currentLon, longitude: currentLat) let to = CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: thisCardPositionLongitude, longitude: thisCardPositionLongitude) let distanceFrom = from.distance(from: to) /*⚠️ ERRORS: 1. Cannot use instance member 'from' within property initializer; property initializers run before 'self' is available. 2. Cannot use instance member 'to' within property initializer; property initializers run before 'self' is available. 3. Value of type 'CLLocationCoordinate2D' has no member 'distance'. */ @State private var region = MKCoordinateRegion( center: CLLocationCoordinate2D( latitude: thisCardPositionLatitude, longitude: thisCardPositionLongitude), span: MKCoordinateSpan( latitudeDelta: 0.0001, longitudeDelta: 0.0001) ) var body: some View { Map(coordinateRegion: $region, showsUserLocation: true, annotationItems: locations){ place in MapMarker(coordinate: place.coordinate,tint: Color.accentColor) } .edgesIgnoringSafeArea(.all) VStack { Print("Distance from Location: \(distanceFrom)") font(.largeTitle) padding() }
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100
Apr ’25
MapKitJS Pricing
Hello (: I have a question regarding the current pricing model for Apple Maps APIs, specifically MapKitJS, the Maps Snapshot API, and the Maps Server API. Previously, the documentation and my understanding indicated that the usage limits were defined per day — for example, 250,000 map loads per day for MapKitJS and 25,000 snapshots per day. However, in the Apple Developer Dashboard, I’m now seeing these limits shown on a per-month basis, such as only 25,000 snapshots per-month. This appears to contradict the publicly available information on the official website, which still states daily limits. Has the pricing model officially changed, or is this just a display issue in the dashboard? I need to know this because we're going into release soon, and then we might have thousands of users.
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123
Apr ’25
Background location indicator stuck in dynamic island when using CLServiceSession and CLBackgroundActivitySession
We have a setup that's really close to the one used in the example project - Monitoring location changes with Core Location. In short, we have a flag that indicates whether or not we should start background location monitoring. If the flag is on, after the app starts, we Create a CLServiceSession with authorization: .always Create a CLBackgroundActivitySession The user can perform an action (press a button) to toggle the flag off, in which case we invalidate and dispose of the CLServiceSession and CLBackgroundActivitySession instances and cancel any liveUpdates observation. So far, so good, everything works as expected. However, we're experiencing a weird behavior on iPhones with Dynamic Island after there's an app update. When the user is on the same app version, the behavior is correct. have the flag on, background location monitoring works fine, when the app is in the the background, there's correctly a location indicator in Dynamic Island the user can go back to the app and turn the flag off (disposing of instances, cancelling location observation), and when the app is in the background, there is no location indicator in Dynamic Island The problem arises when the user updates the app open version 1.0 of the app have the flag on, background location monitoring works fine, when the app is in the the background, there's correctly a location indicator in Dynamic Island download an app update - version 2.0 the app restarts, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions gets called again and we start the background services dynamic island indicator is correctly showing a location indicator the user goes into the app, toggles the flag off - turning location observation off, we dispose of everything now, when the app is moved to the background, there's still a location indicator in the Dynamic Island, even though we're no longer observing location The indicator is hard to get rid of, there are only 2 ways we've found restart the device, or uninstall the app The question is - is this a bug in the system? Or is there anything we should be doing actively after an app update? Thank you!
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97
May ’25
Changing MKMapView .preferredConfiguration or .mapType causes crash
If I change MKMapView's .preferredConfiguration property from .realistic to .flat, or .mapType from .hybridFlyover to .hybrid, subsequent scrolling causes a crash: -[MTLDebugRenderCommandEncoder validateDrawIndexedPrimitives:indexCount:indexType:indexBuffer:indexBufferOffset:instanceCount:function:]:6179: failed assertion `Draw Indexed Primitives Validation indexBufferOffset(0) + (indexCount(864) * 2) must be <= [indexBuffer length] (12). For example, changing: mapView.preferredConfiguration = MKHybridMapConfiguration(elevationStyle: .realistic) to: mapView.preferredConfiguration = MKHybridMapConfiguration(elevationStyle: .flat) Then, scroll the map view, and it will crash. It is OK the other way around. Or change: self.mapView.mapType = .hybridFlyover to: self.mapView.mapType = .hybrid I've tried everything I can think of, including calling functions like these after the change: mapView.setNeedsDisplay() mapView.setRegion(self.mapView.region, animated: false) .mapType and .preferredConfiguration are settable properties, so they should be possible to change. I could create a new MKMapview, but I'd have to perfectly recreate the state which is not trivial and far from ideal. I'm just trying to work around the issue FB14553276 so my map tiles don't show tiling seems in 2D which is a new issue introduced with iOS 18. This potential workaround still shows the seems in 3D, but is better than always showing seems. Seems like whatever I do, I just can't defeat MapKit bugs and puts me in an impossible situation. :( I've submitted Feedback this issue: FB16153802 It seems like others are experiencing the issue: https://forums.developer.apple.com/forums/thread/730780
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509
Dec ’24
Warnings - Failed to locate resource
I have a test application I'm working on (so it's a fresh Xcode project under Sonoma - with older map code borrowed from another project). It is a macOS application. And in Obj-C. When the map window is opened the logs contain the following - I've been trying to hunt down and resolve. Thank you in advance for any clues/pointers. Failed to locate resource "default.csv" Failed to locate resource "satellite@2x.styl" Failed to locate resource "satellite@2x.styl" Failed to locate resource "satellite.styl" Failed to locate resource "satellite@2x.styl" Failed to locate resource "satellite@2x.styl" Failed to locate resource "satellite.styl" Failed to locate resource "satellite.styl" Couldn't find satellite.styl in framework, file name satellite.styl Authorization status: Authorized The application does have MapKit.framework included.
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2k
Dec ’24
Are rate limits for calculate, calculateETA, and reverse geocoding shared across an app?
Hi, I'm using MapKit's MKDirections.calculate, calculateETA, and reverse geocoding (via CLGeocoder.reverseGeocodeLocation) in my iOS app. I understand that there are undocumented rate limits for these services to prevent abuse, but I couldn't find official details. I would like to know: Are the rate limits applied per device, per app installation, or are they shared across all users of the same app bundle ID? Is there any guidance on how to design these features to avoid hitting rate limits in a production environment? What is the best practice if a user repeatedly triggers routing or reverse geocoding (e.g., typing or moving the map)? Any clarification or official documentation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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133
Jun ’25
Request to Add an “AllowOnce” State to CLLocationManager
Context: Currently in iOS, both “Allow Once” and “While Using the App” location permission decisions yield .authorizedWhenInUse. This conflation prevents apps from knowing whether the user has provided a one-time allowance or a persistent in-use allowance. Problem Statement Ambiguous App Behavior: After a user selects “Allow Once,” the app remains in .authorizedWhenInUse, making it appear to the developer as if the user granted a more persistent “While Using” permission. Poor User Experience: If the user later indicates they want to upgrade to “Always,” developers must guess whether iOS will show another system prompt. This can lead to “dead” button presses or pointless transitions to Settings. Lack of Transparency: The user’s real intention—“I only trust you this one time”—gets lost in .authorizedWhenInUse with no direct or synchronous detection mechanism. Why This Wouldn’t Violate SRP The CLLocationManager’s` Single Responsibility: Manage and expose the user’s current location authorization state. Adding .authorizedOneTime or an isOneTime property fits neatly into that responsibility. It’s still describing the user’s level of trust for location usage, just with more specificity. No Overreach: This doesn’t add new logic outside location permissions—it merely refines the existing state definitions for clarity. Simplifies the Developer Flow: Instead of co-mingling “Allow Once” and “While Using,” the system returns the precise state, letting developers handle transitions more gracefully while abiding by iOS’s privacy rules. Benefits Improved UX: Developers can present more accurate prompts or guidance. If .authorizedOneTime, the app can immediately direct the user to Settings for a persistent upgrade, rather than futilely calling requestAlwaysAuthorization() again. Less Confusion: A distinctly reported “Allow Once” state eliminates guesswork, polling, or timed approaches that degrade user experience. Consistent with iOS’s Privacy Focus: Providing a read-only flag or status for “One Time” aligns with Apple’s approach to clarity around permissions, without letting apps forcibly bypass user intentions.
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Jan ’25
Geolocation tracking for IOS apps using .net Maui
I'm working on an in-house iOS app designed to help users accurately track their routes during trips. Currently, I've implemented a method to track users when the app is open in the background. However, I'm facing challenges, as the tracking stops when the device is locked for more than 10 minutes. I'm looking for a solution to continuously track a user's geolocation, even if the app is closed or not in use. Specifically, I want to ensure uninterrupted tracking, especially when the device is locked. Here are some key points: Current Method: I'm currently using the Core Location method and a combination of background tasks and a repeating timer to fetch the user's location and update a log for geolocation tracking when the app is open in the background. Issues Faced: The tracking stops when the device is locked for more than 10 minutes. This limitation impacts the accuracy of the route tracking during longer trips. Objective: My goal is to achieve continuous geolocation tracking, even when the app is closed or not actively used, to provide users with a seamless and accurate record of their routes. Platform: The app is developed for iOS using the .net maui platform, and I'm seeking solutions or suggestions that are compatible with the iOS .net maui environment. If anyone has experience or insights into achieving continuous geolocation tracking on iOS, especially when the app is not in use or the device is locked, I would greatly appreciate the assistance.
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981
Feb ’25
Background location tracking not reliable
I'm writing an app in which the user is expected to initiate location tracking, let the app track for a period of time (a few minutes to a couple of hours) and then discontinue tracking. We want the user to be able to switch apps or let their device lock while tracking without losing any location updates. My understanding is that this can be done with the "While in use" location permission and does not require "Always". We don't want to have to ask our users for the "Always" permission. I'm configuring the location manager this way: locationManager.delegate = self locationManager.desiredAccuracy = kCLLocationAccuracyBestForNavigation locationManager.allowsBackgroundLocationUpdates = true locationManager.showsBackgroundLocationIndicator = true locationManager.distanceFilter = kCLDistanceFilterNone locationManager.activityType = .otherNavigation locationManager.pausesLocationUpdatesAutomatically = false (The user is expected to be walking around in an outdoor location, stopping occasionally to take notes and pictures). I've tested this using both an iPhone and an iPad that relies on an external GPS device. It works. I can lock the device and see a continuous stream of location updates in the debugger for hours. I've also tested it while walking outdoors. However, my customer keeps reporting that the app stops tracking his location whenever it goes into the background. He says that it will track his location fine while in the foreground, but when he backgrounds it, it stops getting location updates. Then when it comes into the foreground again, it resumes. When we plot the locations on a map, you see a straight line between the place where the app went into background and where it woke up again. We know for sure that the app is just transitioning to and from the background and that it is not being terminated and restarted. I can't reproduce this result on my devices and can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. The customer says he has another app on his device (which is also an iPad with an external GPS) and that the other app does track him when it is in the background. My app does process all of the locations received in the didUpdateLocations method and not just the last one, so it's not that I'm getting the updates and ignoring them. I'm also not receiving any calls to 'locationManagerDidPauseLocationUpdates', 'didFinishDeferredUpdatesWithError', or 'didFailWithError'. The only explanation I can think of at the moment is that something changed in iOS. I know that the other app my customer is using is fairly old and built against an old version of the iOS SDK. Thanks for your help.
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402
Jan ’25
App Clips Advanced Experiences not showing up in Apple Maps and Siri Suggestions
Hello everyone, I’m experiencing an issue with App Clips Advanced Experiences and Apple Maps/Siri Suggestions. We have already contacted Apple Support before, but they are investigating the cause of this issue and it has not been resolved til date. The App Clip is bundled with the main app and has been already available on the App Store for several months. The business running the app has several physical shops and wants to offer the App Clip to show up in Apple Maps and Siri Suggestions at each location. The App Clip is correctly exposed in the AASA file, and it's also validated correctly by the AASA APIs available at https://app-site-association.cdn-apple.com/a/v1. { "applinks": { "apps": [], "details": [ { "appID": "TEAMID.bundleid", "paths": [] } ] }, "appclips": { "apps": [ "TEAMID.bundleid.Clip" ] } } (with TEAMID and bundleid being the team and bundle identifiers of the app) The App Clip is displayed correctly when loading the website and when scanning a QR code or App Clip code, but doesn't appear in the Maps app or in Siri suggestions. We have set up the App Clip Advanced Experiences on the App Store Connect page of the app, and each URL has been linked to a physical shop. All URLs are in the "Received" state, so they should appear correctly on Maps. Unfortunately, I don't see any "Order" button in Apple Maps at any location card. We tried with both iOS 17 and 16. According to feedbacks from people in the shops, they don't see the app suggested in the Siri Suggestions. I have just submitted a Custom Action Link on Apple Business Connect for one of the shops, but without success: the App Clip doesn't appear. Any idea why is this happening?
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Mar ’25
Incorrect position rendering of WGS84 coordinate in MKMapView: Discrepancy between Apple Maps (Hong Kong) and Amap (Mainland China)
I am encountering a coordinate rendering issue using MKMapView in my iOS app. I have a GPS coordinate in WGS84 format, which corresponds to a location in Hong Kong. When my device is physically located in Hong Kong, MKMapView displays the map with the "Apple Maps" label, and the WGS84 coordinate is rendered at the correct position. However, when the device is in Mainland China, MKMapView switches to display "Amap" (Gaode Maps) branding, and the same WGS84 coordinate is rendered at an incorrect position. I understand that Amap in Mainland China uses the GCJ-02 coordinate system, while Apple Maps typically uses WGS84. This discrepancy suggests a potential coordinate system mismatch, but I cannot definitively confirm which map type (and corresponding coordinate system) MKMapView is actually using in different regions. My key questions are: How can I programmatically or visually confirm the underlying map type (Apple Maps vs. Amap) and its coordinate system within MKMapView? Is there a way to simulate the Apple Maps environment for testing when physically located in Mainland China?
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3d
Nearby Interaction / DL-TDoA (Beta): Need NITLDOA params; 16 Pro shows distance-only, 13 has direction
Apple recently announced DL-TDoA (Downlink TDoA) support on iOS 26, and the API is currently marked Beta. Using two iPhones (16 Pro and 13) on iOS 26.0 Beta, I’m starting a Nearby Interaction session and need to read NITLDOA parameters (address, carrier frequency offset, signal strength/RSSI), but I can’t find a supported way. I’m also seeing asymmetry: iPhone 13 reports distance+direction, while 16 Pro reports distance only. Is there a supported workflow/API to access those parameters, and any known device/OS constraints that would cause direction to be unavailable on 16 Pro?
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3w
MapCameraPosition & userLocation
I have a Map within a SwiftUI. I initialize a variable like this: var cameraPosition: MapCameraPosition = .userLocation(followsHeading: true, fallback: .automatic) and then I want to zoom map, code like this: let userRegion = MKCoordinateRegion( center: userLocation.coordinate, span: MKCoordinateSpan( latitudeDelta: 0.01, longitudeDelta: 0.01 ) ) cameraPosition = .region(userRegion) But it does't work. How can I solve this problem?
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343
Nov ’24
MapKit JS is not available for use within mainland China. The browser console shows a 401 error for the API.
I am using the code provided on the website https://developer.apple.com/maps/sample-code/embedded-map/index.html, replacing it with my own MapKit JS Token. When accessing it using a network in mainland China, a 401 error occurs with the message [Initialization failed because the authorization token is invalid]. However, it works normally when using a network in Japan. Does this service not work in mainland China?
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756
Oct ’24
Maps Web Snapshots: 500 Internal Server Error
Currently (at least for a few days, maybe longer), when trying to create an Apple Maps Web Snapshot according to https://developer.apple.com/documentation/snapshots/generating_a_url_and_signature_to_create_a_maps_web_snapshot with a custom image marker (passed as Base64 PNG), the Apple server responds with a 500 Internal Server Error. Using the default balloon marker works, but a custom Base64 image marker used to work in the past (and still should according to the documentation).
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192
Mar ’25
GPS Icon Appears on App Launch Despite No CLLocationManager Usage – Need Help Tracing Cause
Hello everyone, I’m facing an issue with my iOS app where the GPS/location services icon appears in the status bar immediately when the app is launched, even though I’m not intentionally accessing location services at that point. Issue Summary: • GPS Icon Activation: When I launch my app, the GPS icon turns on. It turns off when the app is minimized or closed. • No Intentional Location Usage at Launch: I have ensured that no instances of CLLocationManager are created when the app is launched. What I’ve Tried So Far: 1. Checked Controllers and Related Classes: • Reviewed all the code for the controllers that are active at launch. • Verified that none of these controllers create instances of CLLocationManager or call location-related methods. 2. Commented Out startUpdatingLocation: • Commented out all calls to startUpdatingLocation throughout the entire project. 3. Ensured No CLLocationManager Instances at Launch: • Searched for any code that might instantiate CLLocationManager during app launch. • Confirmed that no such instances are being created. 4. Commented Out Google Maps SDK Configuration: • In AppDelegate, commented out the Google Maps SDK configuration, so it’s not initialized with the API key. • No map views (GMSMapView, MKMapView) are initialized or used when the app is launched. 5. Tested Location Permissions: • When I change the location permission for the app to “Never” in the Settings app, the GPS icon does not appear upon app launch. • This suggests that the app is accessing location services when it has permission, even though I haven’t explicitly requested it at launch. Objective: • Control GPS Activation: I want to ensure that the GPS does not turn on when the app is launched. I intend to activate location services only when needed later in the app. Request for Assistance: I’m seeking guidance on the following: 1. Debugging Techniques: • How can I trace the code that’s causing the GPS to turn on at app launch? • Are there tools or methods to identify hidden or indirect calls to location services? 2. Forcing Location Services Off at Launch: • Is there a way to programmatically prevent location services from activating during app launch? • Can I defer any implicit location service initialization until I explicitly enable it? 3. Potential Hidden Triggers: • Are there known scenarios where location services could be activated without direct use of CLLocationManager? • Could frameworks like Google Maps SDK trigger location services even if not fully initialized? 4. Additional Suggestions: • Any other insights or suggestions to prevent the GPS icon from appearing on app launch. Additional Information: • Third-Party Frameworks: • I have not removed third-party frameworks yet, as I wanted to check other possibilities first. • Open to the idea that a third-party framework might be causing this, but need guidance on how to confirm. • Code Availability: • I’m happy to provide specific code snippets if that would help diagnose the issue. Environment: • Xcode Version: Xcode 15.4, Xcode 16.0 • iOS Deployment Target: iOS 15.0 • Devices Tested: iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd gen, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 pro, iPhone 11 • Programming Language: Swift What I’m Looking For: • Assistance in tracing the cause of the GPS activation on app launch. • Suggestions on how to prevent location services from starting until explicitly needed. • Insights into any hidden triggers or indirect usages that might cause this behavior. Thank you for your time and assistance. Any help to resolve this issue would be greatly appreciated.
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413
Oct ’24
CLMonitor does not always trigger on entry
I have an App which needs to monitor one CircularGeographicCondition for a feature. No other location services are required in the moment. Im facing the problem that entry events aren't forwarded to my implementation in every case on real devices. In the simulator everything is working like a charm. Exit events seemed to be working quite reliable on real devices too. Even after resuming the app from background in case of a missed entry event does not trigger the entry event. Only restarting (which recreates the monitor) triggers an entry event. The radius of my geofence is 200 meters What I have done: a. Holding a service session session = CLServiceSession(authorization: .always) b. Creating a Task which holds the CLMonitor, adds the conditions and loops through the events. My questions are: Is this expected behavior? If yes, how can I force the CLMonitor to recalculate the state of the condition? Thank you so much for your help
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782
Nov ’24