To change your default transportation mode in Maps, open the Apple Maps app on your iPhone or iPad, tap your picture or initials next to the search field, then tap Preferences and options. If your picture or initials do not appear, tap Cancel next to the field or tap the search field and then tap Cancel, then tap Maps Settings at the bottom of the screen to find the same path.
How to change your default transportation mode in maps
Setting a default travel mode means every new directions search automatically uses your preferred way of getting around, driving, walking, transit, or cycling, saving you from having to select it each time. On iPhone, Apple Maps uses your preferred travel mode when giving directions, and the supported choices are driving, walking, transit, and cycling. On iPad, Apple gives the same path and the same four travel modes.
- Open the Maps app.
- Tap your picture or initials next to the search field.
- Tap Preferences.
- Tap options.
- Tap Maps Settings at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose your preferred travel mode from the four options: driving, walking, transit, or cycling.
Once selected, Apple Maps will use that mode as the default for all future directions until you change it again.
Why your default transportation mode matters
Setting your default transportation mode delivers accurate estimated times of arrival (ETAs) that reflect the actual speed and constraints of your chosen method of travel. Route suggestions become tailored to your preferred mode, for example, walking routes prioritize pedestrian paths and avoid highways, while transit routes show nearby stops and schedules. The convenience of not selecting a mode every time you search for directions streamlines your daily commute and reduces friction when you are in a hurry. These practical benefits make the setting a small but impactful customization within your broader maps and navigation app settings.
What about Google Maps?
Google Maps does not have a global default transportation mode setting that you can change permanently within the app on iPhone, iPad, or Android. Google's current help pages document only choosing a transportation mode for a specific trip. Instead, Google Maps supports saving a transportation mode for a specific trip: on iPhone or iPad, open Google Maps, tap You > Saved trips, search for a destination, tap Directions, select a transportation mode at the top, and tap Save. For a detailed walkthrough on saving trip-specific modes in Google Maps, refer to the sibling article on that topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the default transportation mode setting sync across my Apple devices?
Yes, when you are signed into the same Apple ID, your default travel mode in Apple Maps syncs across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, so you do not need to set it again on each device.
How do I change the transportation mode for a single trip without altering my default?
In Apple Maps, after searching for a destination and tapping Directions, tap the mode icon (car, walk, transit, or bike) at the top of the screen. This overrides your default for that trip only; your saved default remains unchanged.
What should I do if a mode like cycling is missing from my default options?
Apple Maps on iPhone and iPad supports only driving, walking, transit, and cycling as default travel modes. If cycling does not appear, ensure your device is running a recent version of iOS or iPadOS, as older versions may not include all four options.
For the wider topic, see maps and navigation app settings.
Related reading: How To Make Google Maps Default On IPhone and How To Change The Wallpaper On Your IPhone & IPad.
