Apple Maps can use storage on iPhone from downloaded offline maps and a cache of tiles and search data. To reclaim it, delete offline maps in Maps > your profile > Offline Maps, and clear the broader cache by offloading the app if needed. Removing offline maps only means you re-download an area when you next need it offline — your favorites and history stay.
TL;DR
- Two sources: downloaded offline maps (large, deliberate) and cached tiles/search (smaller).
- Delete offline maps: Maps > profile picture > Offline Maps > (swipe a map) > Delete.
- Clear the rest by offloading Maps in Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Maps > Offload App.
- Offline maps re-download on demand; favorites and guides are kept.
- A downloaded city/region can be hundreds of MB to a few GB.
Why does Apple Maps use storage?
Since iOS 17, Apple Maps lets you download regions for offline use — those packs are the big consumer, often hundreds of megabytes each. On top of that, Maps caches map tiles, search results, and recent routes as you browse. The offline packs are intentional; the cache rebuilds itself.
How to delete offline maps
- Open Maps.
- Tap your profile picture (top right).
- Tap Offline Maps.
- Swipe a downloaded map left and tap Delete, or tap a map to see its size first.
How to clear the Maps cache
iOS gives Maps no in-app "clear cache" button, so clear it by offloading:
- Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Maps.
- Tap Offload App, then reinstall. Offloading clears the cached footprint while keeping your favorites, guides, and settings.
What iOS does natively, and where it stops
Offline Maps management is built in and clear. The limit: there is no cache button for Maps, so the cache only clears via offload, and Maps will not surface its size next to the bigger media on your phone. Maps is rarely the largest item.
What this cannot do
Deleting offline maps means you need a connection (and to re-download) to use that area offline again. Offloading keeps your data, but a full Delete App would remove favorites that are not synced to iCloud — so offload, do not delete, unless you are fine re-setting it up.
FAQ
How do I delete offline maps on iPhone?
Open Maps, tap your profile picture, choose Offline Maps, then swipe a map and tap Delete.
How do I clear the Apple Maps cache?
iOS has no Maps cache button. Offload the app via Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Maps > Offload App and reinstall — this clears the cache while keeping your favorites and guides.
Will deleting offline maps lose my favorites?
No. Removing offline maps only frees the downloaded region files. Favorites, guides, and history stay; you just re-download an area to use it offline again.
How much space do offline maps take?
A downloaded city or region typically ranges from a few hundred megabytes to a couple of gigabytes, depending on its size and detail.
Next: how to clear app cache on iPhone without deleting apps and iPhone storage full but nothing to delete. To clear the bigger drains, get Cleanor for iPhone.