Apple's latest iOS update brings a new feature to its Maps app: Visited Places. This innovative feature allows users to keep track of their favorite locations, including restaurants, shops, and other places they frequently visit.
The new feature uses end-to-end encryption to protect user data, so no one else can see it - not even Apple. Users can switch the feature off if they prefer.
Visited Places comes in handy when you want to go back to a place you like, or remember a particular journey or vacation you took. You can also use it to recommend places to other people from coffee shops to art galleries, because the app lets you share locations with a couple of taps.
To set up Visited Places, simply tap on Continue after launching Apple Maps for the first time after installing iOS 26. Then tap Allow, which gives Apple Maps access to your list of visited places.
Next, you'll be asked how long you want your iPhone to store places after visiting them: three months, one year, or forever. Make your choice and tap Continue again.
The app will keep track of the places you've been to in the background, quietly compiling a list you can check at any time. You need to stop at an identifiable location on the map for a little while for it to be logged - so don't expect a long list of every street corner or park bench that you've stopped at.
Location services and GPS must be enabled on your iPhone for this feature to work, which affects all apps on your phone.
Once you're set up, Visited Places can be accessed from the bottom of Apple Maps' info card by tapping on Places and then Visited Places. You'll see a selection of places on screen right away - with options to search or tap on All Visits.
Each place comes with three dots next to it: tap on the dots to access more options, including sharing, removing, correcting location, or adding a note about your visit.
Finally, you can choose to keep visits saved for a certain period, clear history, or turn off the feature altogether.
The new feature uses end-to-end encryption to protect user data, so no one else can see it - not even Apple. Users can switch the feature off if they prefer.
Visited Places comes in handy when you want to go back to a place you like, or remember a particular journey or vacation you took. You can also use it to recommend places to other people from coffee shops to art galleries, because the app lets you share locations with a couple of taps.
To set up Visited Places, simply tap on Continue after launching Apple Maps for the first time after installing iOS 26. Then tap Allow, which gives Apple Maps access to your list of visited places.
Next, you'll be asked how long you want your iPhone to store places after visiting them: three months, one year, or forever. Make your choice and tap Continue again.
The app will keep track of the places you've been to in the background, quietly compiling a list you can check at any time. You need to stop at an identifiable location on the map for a little while for it to be logged - so don't expect a long list of every street corner or park bench that you've stopped at.
Location services and GPS must be enabled on your iPhone for this feature to work, which affects all apps on your phone.
Once you're set up, Visited Places can be accessed from the bottom of Apple Maps' info card by tapping on Places and then Visited Places. You'll see a selection of places on screen right away - with options to search or tap on All Visits.
Each place comes with three dots next to it: tap on the dots to access more options, including sharing, removing, correcting location, or adding a note about your visit.
Finally, you can choose to keep visits saved for a certain period, clear history, or turn off the feature altogether.
! It's like, super convenient to remember all those awesome coffee shops and art galleries we always want to go back to. And the fact that it uses end-to-end encryption? That's like, totally cool 
. I mean, who doesn't love having their own personal map of fave spots without anyone else knowing about 'em? Plus, sharing locations with friends is as easy as tapping a few buttons 
. And, let's be real, it's always a bummer when we forget where we parked our car or something 
. So, Visited Places is like, the ultimate life-saver for us iPhone users! 
, its like having a virtual scrapbook of ur fave places lol, and the fact that its encrypted is super cool 
, no one should be able to see whats in there... 
, its so easy now! and the option to set how long u want ur visits saved is nice too... 
, thanks apple for making our lives easier 
. i mean, if they can really keep our data safe and private, that's a good thing! 3 month storage period is decent, don't know about forever though 
I'm so done with these features that just make me think of how we're losing track of what's actually important in life... like our personal space and boundaries! 
Still, I'm not sure how many people are gonna be using this feature - seems kinda unnecessary... 
& then we get to share 'em w/ others too! its like having a personal travelogue built right into our maps... but what about when you wanna stop using the feature? r u gonna be able to opt out or will ur data still be tracked even after u turn it off? also, who gets access to all this info & how does apple plan on keeping us safe from hackers 