iOS 26 beta introduces natural language search to Apple Maps, allowing users to find places nearby by asking questions in plain language. This feature will understand the context and display detailed results. Additionally, transparency in the Liquid Glass UI has been reduced, and new wallpaper colors have been added, which beta users are testing.
Apple Maps: Apple is always known for making its user experience more intuitive, smart, and innovative. In this direction, a major change has been seen in the Apple Maps app under the iOS 26 beta version. According to reports, Apple Maps is now in testing with a natural language search feature, which will allow users to search in a human-like manner. This means you can now ask questions in conversational language, and Apple Maps will provide accurate answers.
What is the Natural Language Search feature of Apple Maps?
Apple Maps in the iOS 26 beta version has received a feature that is going to completely change map searching. Now, the user does not need to enter the name of a specific location, but can ask questions like a normal conversation, such as:
- 'Which is the best coffee shop near me with free Wi-Fi?'
- 'Recommend a peaceful restaurant for dinner tonight.'
Apple Maps will now be able to understand these questions and display a list of suitable locations accordingly. This feature will be especially beneficial for users who avoid technical search terms and seek information in common conversational language.
Who revealed this?
Tech expert Steve Moser claimed this after analyzing the localization files of iOS 26 beta on X (formerly Twitter). He mentioned that Apple had started this feature as an experiment on the App Store in iOS 18.1, and now it is being integrated into Apple Maps. According to Moser, this feature will provide direct and more context-based answers to users' conversational queries. This update may reach general users completely with the final version of iOS 26.
What does iOS 26 beta 3 bring?
Apple recently released iOS 26 beta 3. It has brought several changes to the user interface:
- The Liquid Glass design has been made less transparent to make the text easier to read.
- New color options have been added for home and lock screen wallpapers.
- The system's performance has also been optimized.
This interface looks slightly different from the Liquid design shown at WWDC 2025, suggesting that Apple is continuously improving based on user feedback.
Why is this new search feature necessary?
Apple Maps has long been considered behind Google Maps, especially in large markets like India and the US. The natural language search feature will not only make Apple Maps technically smarter but also make it more user-friendly for general users. Until now, if you had to type 'coffee shop', you can now ask questions directly in a human manner, and the answers will be accordingly. This will not only make the results faster and more accurate but also take the user experience to the next level.
How useful is it in markets like India?
In a country like India, where there are multilingual and diverse people, natural language search will benefit a large number of users. Although this feature may initially be limited to the English language, Apple's AI and language models are constantly evolving, which may bring this feature to Hindi and other Indian languages in the future.
Has Apple officially launched it?
No. Apple has not yet made any public announcement of this feature. But it is certain that the company is conducting intensive testing in its internal and developer testing phase. It is expected that when the stable version of iOS 26 is launched with the iPhone 17 series in September, this feature will also be rolled out to general users.
Apple's next step in the AI direction?
This feature is a glimpse of Apple's upcoming AI strategy. Recently, Apple introduced its AI ecosystem, named 'Apple Intelligence,' which is going to completely change the experience of iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This new search feature of Apple Maps is another significant step in this direction, which shows that the company is now deeply involved in integrating AI into all its products.
