This New Apple Maps Feature ‘Tracks’ You, but You Can Turn It Off

Discover how Apple Maps’ Visited Places logs your locations privately—and how to take control of your data or disable the feature entirely.

The release of iOS 26 brought a host of new capabilities to iPhones, but one feature in Apple Maps, called “Visited Places,” has caught the attention of privacy-conscious users. At first glance, a feature that passively tracks and records your movements might seem at odds with Apple’s long-standing commitment to user privacy. However, a closer look reveals a system designed with security at its core, offering convenience for those who want it and complete control for those who don’t.

This feature automatically creates a personal log of places you go, like restaurants, parks, and shops, even if you don’t use Maps for directions. While the idea of your phone keeping a diary of your locations can be unsettling, Apple has implemented robust privacy measures, including end-to-end encryption, to ensure this data remains for your eyes only. We’ll explore how Visited Places works, what benefits it offers, and most importantly, how you can manage or disable it to maintain control over your pers…