Apple Maps continues to get better each year, with the variety of new iOS 26 features keeping that trend going. And according to new discoveries in iOS beta code, it seems Apple may have a couple additional Maps features on the way. [Update: See note at the bottom of the article on feature availability.]
iOS 26 code reveals Apple Maps may get upgraded search and thermal management features
Today in a post on X, Steve Moser shared about two new Apple Maps features that were discovered in iOS 26 beta code. Neither feature has been previously announced by Apple.
First, natural language search is in the works for the Maps app.
Improved search has been progressively added in a variety of Apple apps over the last year, including Photos, Music, TV, and more.
Moser discovered code in the iOS 26 beta that indicates the same feature will hit Apple Maps next.
Here’s what it says:
Search the Way You Talk
Use natural language to find places like “Best coffee shops with free wi-fi.”
Apple’s new “search the way you talk” feature is powered by Apple Intelligence, and has made a big difference in apps that have implemented it.
This one example Apple gives is a great one, showing how potentially powerful the upgraded Maps search could be.
Moser’s second discovery involves protecting your iPhone from overheating.
In addition to the search enhancements, there is also copy pointing to a new, user-facing thermal management feature that will be particularly useful during turn-by-turn navigation:
Maps will no longer keep your screen on to allow your iPhone to cool down.
Currently, Apple Maps forces the iPhone’s display to remain on during active navigation to ensure directions are always visible. However, this can contribute to overheating, especially on a sunny day with the device mounted on a dashboard and charging.
While not as exciting as upgraded search, I’ve definitely run into situations where this new thermal feature could have come in handy.
So far, neither Maps feature is available to users in the latest iOS 26 beta. Here’s hoping that changes before this fall’s public launch—or shortly thereafter in iOS 26.1 or 26.2.
Update 4:20 p.m. ET: After publishing, users reported that the thermal management feature seems to already be deployed—not only in iOS 26, but also iOS 18. The search upgrade, however, is not yet available.
Are you excited to see natural language search in Apple Maps? Let us know in the comments.
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