Apple Maps Introduces Conversational Search Through iOS 26 Beta

A new feature leveraging Apple Intelligence is enhancing the search capabilities within Apple Maps for users participating in the iOS 26 beta program. Discovered by 9to5Mac, the update introduces a “Search the Way You Talk” option, enabling users to input queries using natural language—for instance, “Find cafes with free Wi-Fi.”

Preliminary testing reveals varying degrees of success with this functionality. While searches like “Parks with playgrounds” yielded relevant suggestions such as parks with high ratings or boat ramps, other inputs proved less reliable. A search for “24-hour diner” returned results, whereas attempting “all-night diner” produced no matches, highlighting the current limitations in interpreting nuanced phrasing. The effectiveness of natural language queries appears contingent on Apple’s existing mapping data; searches for amenities like “parks with restrooms” did not return any results.

The functionality was not publicly previewed prior to its integration into iOS 26 beta releases, potentially debuting alongside the initial public beta version rather than subsequent iterations. Initial investigations confirm that this natural language search capability is currently exclusive to devices enrolled in the iOS 26 beta program, as a standard iPhone lacking beta software does not display the option.