Change Maps Default Settings on iPhone & iPad

You can change the default map type, units, and navigation voice on your iPhone or iPad by opening the Settings app, scrolling to Maps, and adjusting the options there. This guide walks you through every setting you can customize, from avoiding tolls to choosing a 2D or 3D view, so your Maps app behaves the way you want.

Where to Find Maps Settings

All Maps preferences live in the system Settings app, not inside the Maps app itself. To open them:

1. Tap the Settings app on your Home Screen.
2. Scroll down and tap Maps (usually between Mail and Safari).
3. You’ll see a list of categories: Driving & Navigation, Transit, and your saved Preferences.

Changes apply immediately to the Maps app—no need to restart it. If you have an iPad with iPadOS, the same menu appears, though some options like “Preferred Type of Map� may look slightly different in split view.

Change the Default Map Type (Standard, Satellite, Hybrid)

The most common request is making the map always open in Satellite or Hybrid view instead of the standard road map. To do this:

1. In Settings > Maps, scroll down to the Map Type section (or “Preferred Type of Map� on some versions).
2. Choose Standard, Satellite, or Hybrid. Hybrid shows satellite imagery with road names overlaid.
3. Close Settings—the next time you open Maps, it will use that view.

Note: This only affects the default view. You can still switch temporarily by tapping the “i� button (or the map layer icon) in the Maps app, but it will revert to your chosen default next time you launch the app.

Set Distance Units (Miles vs. Kilometers)

Maps uses your device’s region format to decide whether to show miles or kilometers. To override it:

1. Go to Settings > Maps.
2. Tap Distances (under the “Driving & Navigation� section).
3. Select In Miles or In Kilometers.

This affects all distance labels—turn-by-turn instructions, search results, and route summaries. If you travel abroad, you can switch back anytime without changing your phone’s region.

Customize Driving & Navigation Defaults

Under Settings > Maps > Driving & Navigation, you can set several defaults that affect every route you get:

• Avoid Tolls – Turn on to always avoid toll roads.
• Avoid Highways – Turn on to prefer local roads.
• Preferred Type of Map – Choose between Driving, Driving with Traffic, or Satellite view for navigation.
• Navigation Voice Volume – Set to Loud, Normal, or Mute (this also sets the default for the speaker icon in Maps).
• Show Traffic – Toggle to always show traffic conditions on the map.

These are “defaults� in the sense that they apply to every new route. You can still override them per-route by tapping the route card and adjusting options before starting navigation.

Change the Default Voice for Spoken Directions

Maps uses the same voice as Siri for spoken directions. To change it:

1. Open Settings > Siri & Search.
2. Tap Siri Voice.
3. Choose a variety (e.g., American, British, Australian) and a voice (e.g., Female, Male).

Changes apply to Maps immediately. If you have downloaded additional voices (Settings > General > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Voices), you can also select them for Siri, and Maps will use that voice for directions.

Customize Transit and Walking Options

For transit directions, you can set your preferred modes and avoid certain types of transport:

• In Settings > Maps > Transit, toggle on the transit types you want to see (buses, trains, ferries, etc.).
• Under Walking, you can turn on “Avoid Hillsâ€� and “Avoid Busy Roadsâ€� if you prefer a flatter or quieter route.

These defaults apply when you choose transit or walking directions. They don’t affect driving routes.

Reset Maps to Default Settings

If you’ve changed many settings and want to start fresh, you can reset all Maps preferences without deleting your saved places:

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
2. Tap Reset All Settings. This resets all system settings, not just Maps, so use it cautiously.

Alternatively, you can manually toggle each option back to its default (e.g., set Distances to your region’s unit, turn off Avoid Tolls, and set Map Type to Standard). There is no one-tap “reset Maps only� button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t my Maps app remember my map type?

If you change the map type temporarily using the “i� button, it only applies to that session. The default you set in Settings > Maps > Map Type is what the app uses when it launches. If it still reverts, force-quit Maps (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the app card away) and reopen it.

Can I set different units for walking vs. driving?

No. The distance unit setting in Settings > Maps > Distances applies to all modes—driving, walking, and transit. If you want kilometers for walking but miles for driving, you’ll have to change it manually each time.

How do I make Maps always avoid highways?

Go to Settings > Maps > Driving & Navigation and turn on “Avoid Highways.� This will apply to every driving route you request. You can still turn it off for a single route by tapping the route card and toggling “Highways� off.

Does changing the Siri voice affect Maps navigation?

Yes. Maps uses the Siri voice for spoken directions. Changing the Siri voice in Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice will change the voice you hear during navigation. This does not affect other Siri responses if you have a different voice selected for Siri itself.

Why are my map labels tiny or missing?

This is usually because you’re zoomed out too far. Pinch to zoom in, and labels will appear. If they still don’t show, check that you’re not in “Satellite� mode without labels—switch to “Hybrid� to see roads and names on top of satellite imagery.

Can I set a default location for “Home� and “Work�?

Yes. In the Maps app, tap your profile picture (top right), then “Favorites.� Add “Home� and “Work� with your addresses. These appear as shortcuts in search and are used for commute suggestions, but they don’t change any default map behavior.

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