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Can You Turn Off Ads In Apple Maps?

Apple has officially launched ads in Apple Maps in the US and Canada, appearing in search results and a new Suggested Places section. While the company emphasizes privacy protections, there is no option to turn off ads. Users seeking ad-free alternatives might consider apps like Organic Maps or OsmAnd.

By Tertius News AI Desk 2 outlets · 2 articles Version 1 Coverage Aug 25, 2026 Published 1h ago

Apple Maps Ads Begin Rolling Out in US and Canada

Apple has officially introduced ads to Apple Maps, with the rollout ramping up in the coming weeks. The ads are now appearing in the United States and Canada, as announced earlier this year when Apple said Maps would begin showing ads in those countries starting this summer. Apple confirmed to 9to5Mac that the rollout began in the last few days and will continue to expand to all users in the weeks ahead.

Ads appear in two places in the app: in a Suggested Places section on the search screen before a user types a query, and in search results when relevant. They are designed to look like regular business listings but carry a small blue badge that says "Ad."

How Ads Work and Privacy Considerations

Apple has not announced any option to turn off ads in Maps. According to BGR, the ads will be context-based, drawing on the user's search terms, the area of the map they are viewing, and, if enabled, approximate location. The outlet notes that restricting location access may not prevent contextual ads, as Maps can still see the map area being viewed. Additionally, disabling location altogether would disable turn-by-turn navigation, significantly reducing the app's functionality.

Apple says the new advertising system builds on its privacy-first approach. In a statement from Apple Newsroom quoted by 9to5Mac, the company said: "A user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account. Personal data stays on a user's device, is not collected or stored by Apple, and is not shared with third parties."

Expansion and Business Opportunities

Ad slots for Apple Maps went on sale for the first time this month, as reported by BGR, which also noted that Apple increased the number of ads in the App Store earlier in 2026, part of a broader push into advertising. Apple is also offering a promotional deal for businesses interested in booking ads in Maps, as detailed in the 9to5Mac coverage.

Alternative Apps for Ad-Wary Users

For users who find the prospect of ads in Apple Maps off-putting, BGR highlighted two open-source alternatives. Organic Maps, launched in 2021, uses OpenStreetMap data, collects no data or identifiers, and is entirely free with no ads; it relies on donations and grants. It also provides hiking and cycling routes, voice guidance, offline maps, and supports CarPlay and Android Auto.

OsmAnd, another open-source navigation app for iPhone and Android, offers a free ad-free version, alongside a Maps+ tier (at $69.99 one-time or $14.99 per year) and a Pro plan ($39.99/year, $5.99/month, or $450 one-time), with features like 3D terrain, weather, and enhanced backup/syncing. BGR describes OsmAnd as more powerful and configurable than both Organic Maps and Apple Maps.

How each outlet told it

9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC

Framing: Announces the launch as a straightforward product update, emphasizing the new ad feature. — Informational and neutral, with a hint of enthusiasm ('officially hit its target'); invites user feedback.

Facts Included:

Apple has officially launched ads in Apple Maps, with rollout ramping up in coming weeks.
Ads are rolling out now in US and Canada.
Earlier this year, Apple announced Maps would get ads in the US and Canada starting this summer.
Apple confirmed to 9to5Mac that the ads rollout began in the last few days.
Ads appear in two places: Suggested Places on the search screen and in search results when relevant.
Ads look like other business listings but have a small blue badge that says 'Ad'.
Apple touts privacy protections; per Apple Newsroom: 'Ads on Maps builds on Apple’s broader privacy-first approach... A user’s location and the ads they see and interact with in Maps are not associated with a user’s Apple Account. Personal data stays on a user’s device, is not collected or stored by Apple, and is not shared with third parties.'
Apple has a promotional offer for businesses interested in booking ads.

Read the source article →

BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC

Framing: Frames the story as a user-focused question about disabling ads, not as a product launch announcement. — Pragmatic and slightly cautionary; 'Like it or not, ads are coming' sets a resigned tone.

Facts Included:

Ads are coming to Apple Maps in 2026.
Ads will appear in search results and in a Suggested Places section in the U.S. and Canada.
Ad slots went on sale for the first time this month.
Apple increased the number of ads in the App Store earlier in 2026.
Apple has not said anything about an option to turn off ads.
Maps ads will be based on context, including search terms, map area, and approximate location (if enabled).
Restricting location access may not prevent contextual ads, as Maps can still see the map area.
Turning off location disables turn-by-turn navigation.
Organic Maps is an open-source, ad-free maps app with no data collection, launched in 2021, uses OpenStreetMap data, free with donations/grants, features hiking/cycling routes, voice guidance, route planning, bookmarks, CarPlay/Android Auto support, turn-by-turn navigation, offline maps.
OsmAnd is an open-source app for iPhone and Android with a free ad-free version, Maps+ tier at $69.99 one-time or $14.99/year, Pro plan at $39.99/year, $5.99/month, or $450 one-time, includes 3D terrain, weather, enhanced backup/syncing.
OsmAnd is more powerful and configurable than Organic Maps and Apple Maps.

Read the source article →

What was claimed, and who backed it

Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.

Claim	Confidence	Status
ClaimAds are coming to the Apple Maps app in 2026.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimApple has officially launched ads in Apple Maps, with the rollout ramping up in the coming weeks.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via 9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC
ClaimAds in Apple Maps are rolling out in the United States and Canada.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusMulti-source (2 outlets) via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC, 9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC
ClaimApple announced earlier in the year that Maps would get ads in the US and Canada starting this summer.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via 9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC
ClaimApple confirmed to 9to5Mac that the ads rollout in Maps began in the last few days and will continue ramping in the weeks ahead.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via 9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC
ClaimApple Maps ads appear in two places: in a Suggested Places section on the search screen and in search results when relevant.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusMulti-source (2 outlets) via 9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC, BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimAd slots for Apple Maps went on sale for the first time this month.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimApple increased the number of ads in the App Store earlier in 2026.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimApple Maps ads appear like other business listings but have a small blue badge that says 'Ad'.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via 9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC
ClaimApple has not said anything about an option to turn off ads.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimApple Maps ads will be based on context, including search terms, map area, and approximate location (if enabled).	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimRestricting location access may not prevent contextual ads, as Maps can still see the map area.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimTurning off location disables turn-by-turn navigation in Apple Maps.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimPer Apple Newsroom, a user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account, personal data stays on a user's device, is not collected or stored by Apple, and is not shared with third parties.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via 9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC
ClaimApple has a promotional offer for businesses interested in booking ads in Maps.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via 9to5Mac as of Aug 25, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC
ClaimOrganic Maps is an open-source, ad-free maps app with no data collection, launched in 2021, uses OpenStreetMap data, free with donations/grants, features hiking/cycling routes, voice guidance, route planning, bookmarks, CarPlay/Android Auto support, turn-by-turn navigation, and offline maps.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimOsmAnd is an open-source app for iPhone and Android with a free ad-free version, Maps+ tier at $69.99 one-time or $14.99/year, Pro plan at $39.99/year, $5.99/month, or $450 one-time, includes 3D terrain, weather, enhanced backup/syncing.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC
ClaimOsmAnd is more powerful and configurable than Organic Maps and Apple Maps.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via BGR as of Aug 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC

Transparency & Audit Trail

2 outlets · 2 articles consulted: 9to5Mac, BGR 18 claims extracted Version 1 Written 2026-08-25