Stop Apple Maps Running In The Background: 4 Steps

Stuck trying to stop Apple Maps from running in the background?

Don’t worry, I’ve been there too. I know how annoying it can be to have this happen, especially because Apple Maps can drain your battery like crazy.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for answers.

You can easily stop Apple Maps from running in the background by closing it on the App Switcher and turning off the Background App Refresh feature. But, if that doesn’t work, try tweaking your Location settings and restarting your device.

Keep reading to fix the problem!

#1 Close Apple Maps on the App Switcher

Apple Maps is available in more than 200 regions around the world, and it offers multiple features that allow us to get accurate directions.

Unfortunately, it’s not perfect. Its performance issues have caused controversy among users.

You see, thousands of people have complained about their batteries draining too fast just because Apple Maps keeps running in the background.

Luckily, you can easily solve this issue by force-stopping it on the App Switcher.

You see, if you didn’t fully close Apple Maps, it may continue to use your location and update its content even if you’re using a different app.

Follow this quick guide to solve this issue:

iPhone and iPad:

1. Go to the Home Screen.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and pause in the middle to open the App Switcher. Bear in mind that if you have an older device, you’ll need to press the home button twice to access the App Switcher.
3. Swipe right or left to find Apple Maps. Then, swipe up on it.

Apple Watch:

1. Press the side button (not the crown button) of your device one time.
2. You’ll see all the apps that are running in the background. Find Apple Maps and swipe left.
3. Tap on the red “X” icon to close it.

Mac:

1. Press the Option, Command, and Escape keys at the same time.
2. A new window will appear, please click on Apple Maps.
3. Select “Force Quit”.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, check the menu bar to see if the location icon is turned on. If it is, please fully close any other navigation app that may be running in the background. This way, your battery will last longer.

#2 Turn off the Background App Refresh Feature

If you have an Apple Watch, iPhone, or iPad, you can also stop Apple Maps from running in the background by turning off the Background App Refresh feature.

This feature allows your apps to search for new information on the Internet and update their content even if you’re not using them.

You can easily turn it off, you’ll just need to:

1. Go to the Settings menu and tap on “General”.
2. Select “Background App Refresh” from the list.
3. Tap on “Background App Refresh” again.
4. Select “Off”. If you’d like other apps to continue running in the back, go back to the “Background App Refresh” menu and scroll down until you find Maps. Then, turn off the switch.

#3 Tweak Your Location Settings

You can also stop Apple Maps from running in the background by turning off your location once you’ve finished using the app.

I know it may sound like a tedious thing to do, but you might comfort in knowing that thousands of people found this tip useful.

Follow these simple instructions to turn off your location:

iPhone and iPad:

1. Go to the Settings menu and tap on “Privacy”.
2. Choose “Location Services” from the options.
3. Tap on Apple Maps and select “Never” or “Ask Next Time or When I Share” from the options.

Mac:

1. Open the Apple menu by clicking on the apple icon at the top of your screen. Then, click on “System Preferences”.
2. Select “Security & Privacy” and go to the “Privacy” tab.
3. Tap on the lock located at the bottom of your screen if it’s locked. This way, you’ll be able to make changes. You may be asked to enter your admin password.
4. Uncheck the box next to “Maps”.

#4 Restart Your Device

Finally, I’d like you to restart your device to unload your RAM and shut down any background process.

If you’re wondering what “RAM” means, please keep reading. But, if you’re tech-savvy and already know, feel free to jump to the solution.

RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is one of the most important components in your device. It stores information about the apps that are running in the background.

Your RAM can process data much faster than your hard disk. This allows you to quickly switch between tabs and apps, and pick up right where you left off.

Unfortunately, if you haven’t turned off your device in a while, your apps (including Apple Maps) may continue to run in the background and fill up your RAM, which can lead to experiencing all sorts of performance issues.

Don’t worry, though. Once you restart your device, you’ll automatically unload your RAM. Follow this quick guide to do it:

iPhone:

1. Press and hold one volume button (either one) and the right-hand side button at the same time.
2. Drag the power-off slider.
3. Press and hold the right-hand side button of your device until you see the Apple logo.

iPad:

1. Press and hold the top button. If your iPad has a home button, you’ll need to press the volume and top buttons at the same time.
2. A power-off slider will pop up. Please drag it to the right.
3. Press the top button to turn your device back on.

Apple Watch:

1. Press and hold the side button (not the crown) until the power-off slider pops up. Then, drag it to the right.
2. Press the same side button again to turn your Apple Watch back on.

Mac:

1. Save any documents you’re working on.
2. Click on the apple icon at the top of your screen to open the menu.
3. Choose “Restart” from the list.

Conclusion

That about covers it! I hope that this article has helped give you some more confidence in solving the issue.

If you take anything away, please let it be that you can easily stop Apple Maps from running in the background by closing it on the App Switcher and sibling the Background App Refresh feature.

Moreover, turning off your location and restarting your device should also do the trick.

Thank you so much for reading this quick article. If you ever experience a different issue while using Apple Maps or any other platform, please check out our content. We love solving all sorts of tech issues, so you don’t have to.

Have a wonderful rest of the day!