# New Features in Apple Maps for iOS 26
The imminent major release for iPhone, iOS 26, brings a Liquid Glass makeover and enhances Apple Maps with additional features. Following substantial refinements last year, Apple Maps is poised to become even more intuitive and user-friendly. Here’s a glimpse at the new functionalities debuting with iOS 26.
## Smarter Daily Activity Monitoring
Apple Maps in iOS 26 takes advantage of the new Liquid Glass design, which refreshes the appearance of buttons and UI components. Nonetheless, the primary emphasis is on two groundbreaking features: **Preferred Routes** and **Visited Places**.
### Preferred Routes
This capability enables Apple Maps to learn from your daily patterns, such as your journey to work. By examining your travel habits, Maps can recommend your preferred paths and proactively alert you of possible delays. Users will also be able to access crucial information about their routes via the ‘Suggestions’ widget on the Home Screen, offering a swift overview of anticipated conditions.
### Visited Places
The **Visited Places** option automatically logs locations you frequent, including restaurants or shops, without necessitating any input from you. This record is kept within the app for future reference and can be viewed through the newly added ‘Visits’ menu in your Library.
## Privacy Considerations
While these functionalities improve convenience, they might trigger privacy issues. Apple reassures users that the preferred routes feature utilizes “on-device intelligence,” indicating that your commuting behaviors remain confidential on your iPhone. Likewise, the Visited Places feature is safeguarded by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that Apple cannot access this information, and it can be effortlessly removed.
## Availability
iOS 26 is presently in beta testing and is anticipated to be accessible to all users this fall.
What are your views regarding the new functionalities in Apple Maps for iOS 26?
