Like it or not, ads are coming to the Apple Maps app in 2026. They’ll appear in search results and in a Suggested Places section that’ll be added to the app in the U.S. and Canada. This month ad slots went on sale for the first time, after Apple increased the number of ads showing in the App Store earlier in 2026. So, if you’re a user of the app, keep your eyes peeled for sponsored messages from businesses trying to reach you.
The possibility of being able to turn off ads appears remote, and to date Apple hasn’t said anything about such an option. Maps’ ads will be based on context, meaning that the system looks at the kinds of things you search for in the app, the area of the map that you’re looking at and, if enabled, your approximate location. If you’re thinking of restricting access to your location to avoid contextual ads, that probably won’t do the trick. Firstly, Maps will still be able to see the area of a map that you’re looking at and serve up ads based on that, and secondly, the app loses a lot of very useful functionality once you turn off your location. For example, you can forget turn-by-turn navigations.
If the whole idea of ads on Apple Maps fills you with dismay, or if you have other annoyances with it like the large amount of storage that it seems to take up, then there are a couple of other navigation apps that you might want to check out instead.
Two maps apps without ads
Organic Maps is a well regarded open-source maps app for the iPhone and Android that could tick a lot of boxes for folks looking for an alternative to mainstream navigation apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps. First up, Organic Maps has no ads. It also collects no data or identifiers from its users, making it perfect for the privacy conscious. Launched in 2021, and using OpenStreetMaps’ data, Organic Maps also doesn’t require a subscription, making it completely free to use. With no ads or fees, the project instead relies on donations and grants to survive. The app features hiking and cycling routes, voice guidance, route planning, bookmarks, and support for CarPlay and Android Auto. It also includes turn-by-turn navigation for driving, walking, and cycling. You download the maps so it can work without a mobile data connection or Wi-Fi.
While Organic Maps is a solid enough app, if you want something more feature-rich, another open-source app worth checking out is OsmAnd, for both iPhone and Android. It offers a free version without ads, while the Maps+ tier costs $69.99 as a one-time purchase, or $14.99 a year for unlimited map downloads and more advanced features. The top-level Pro plan costs $39.99 a year, $5.99 a month, or $450 as a one-time purchase, and includes features such as 3D terrain, weather information, and enhanced backup and syncing of your maps and data across devices. OsmAnd is a more powerful and configurable alternative to Organic Maps, with a level of customization and specialist mapping that goes beyond Apple Maps. If you’d rather avoid ads, Organic Maps and OsmAnd look like two worthwhile alternatives, each offering its own unique approach to the maps experience.
