Mapkit

MapKit

Build map-based and location-aware features targeting iOS 17+ with SwiftUI MapKit and modern CoreLocation async APIs. Use Map with MapContentBuilder for views, CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() for streaming location, and CLMonitor for geofencing.

Read references/mapkit-patterns.md when you need full map setup, search, routes, Look Around, snapshots, or iOS 26 place APIs. Read references/mapkit-corelocation-patterns.md when the task involves location update lifecycle, geofencing, background location, testing, or privacy keys.

Contents

• Workflow
• SwiftUI Map View (iOS 17+)
• CoreLocation Modern API
• Geocoding
• Search
• Directions
• PlaceDescriptor (iOS 26+)
• Common Mistakes
• Review Checklist
• References

Workflow

1. Add a map with markers or annotations

1. Import MapKit.
2. Create a Map view with optional MapCameraPosition binding.
3. Add Marker, Annotation, MapPolyline, MapPolygon, or MapCircle inside the MapContentBuilder closure.
4. Configure map style with .mapStyle().
5. Add map controls with .mapControls { }.
6. Handle selection with a selection: binding.

2. Track user location

1. Add NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription to Info.plist.
2. On iOS 18+, create a CLServiceSession to manage authorization.
3. Iterate CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() in a Task.
4. Filter updates by distance or accuracy before updating the UI.
5. Stop the task when location tracking is no longer needed.

3. Search for places

1. Configure MKLocalSearchCompleter for autocomplete suggestions.
2. Debounce user input (at least 300ms) before setting the query.
3. Convert selected completion to MKLocalSearch.Request for full results.
4. Display results as markers or in a list.

4. Get directions and display a route

1. Create an MKDirections.Request with source and destination MKMapItem.
2. Set transportType (.automobile, .walking, .transit, .cycling).
3. Await MKDirections.calculate().
4. Draw the route with MapPolyline(route.polyline).

5. Review existing map/location code

Run through the Review Checklist at the end of this file.

SwiftUI Map View (iOS 17+)

import MapKit
import SwiftUI

struct PlaceMap: View {
    @State private var position: MapCameraPosition = .automatic

    var body: some View {
        Map(position: $position) {
            Marker("Apple Park", coordinate: applePark)
            Marker("Infinite Loop", systemImage: "building.2",
                   coordinate: infiniteLoop)
        }
        .mapStyle(.standard(elevation: .realistic))
        .mapControls {
            MapUserLocationButton()
            MapCompass()
            MapScaleView()
        }
    }
}

Marker and Annotation

// Balloon marker -- simplest way to pin a location
Marker("Cafe", systemImage: "cup.and.saucer.fill", coordinate: cafeCoord)
    .tint(.brown)

// Annotation -- custom SwiftUI view at a coordinate
Annotation("You", coordinate: userCoord, anchor: .bottom) {
    Image(systemName: "figure.wave")
        .padding(6)
        .background(.blue.gradient, in: .circle)
        .foregroundStyle(.white)
}

Overlays: Polyline, Polygon, Circle

Map {
    // Polyline from coordinates
    MapPolyline(coordinates: routeCoords)
        .stroke(.blue, lineWidth: 4)

    // Polygon (area highlight)
    MapPolygon(coordinates: parkBoundary)
        .foregroundStyle(.green.opacity(0.3))
        .stroke(.green, lineWidth: 2)

    // Circle (radius around a point)
    MapCircle(center: storeCoord, radius: 500)
        .foregroundStyle(.red.opacity(0.15))
        .stroke(.red, lineWidth: 1)
}

Camera Position

MapCameraPosition controls what the map displays. Bind it to let the user interact and to programmatically move the camera.

// Center on a region
@State private var position: MapCameraPosition = .region(
    MKCoordinateRegion(
        center: CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: 37.334, longitude: -122.009),
        span: MKCoordinateSpan(latitudeDelta: 0.05, longitudeDelta: 0.05)
    )
)

// Follow user location
@State private var position: MapCameraPosition = .userLocation(fallback: .automatic)

// Specific camera angle (3D perspective)
@State private var position: MapCameraPosition = .camera(
    MapCamera(centerCoordinate: applePark, distance: 1000, heading: 90, pitch: 60)
)

// Frame specific items
position = .item(MKMapItem.forCurrentLocation())
position = .rect(MKMapRect(...))

Map Style

Default to .standard; select .imagery or .hybrid, realistic elevation, traffic, and point-of-interest filtering only when the feature requires them. See Complete Map View Setup.

Map Interaction Modes

Keep .all for an interactive map. Restrict modes only for intentional gesture coordination; use [] for a static embedded map. See Map in a List or ScrollView.

Map Selection

@State private var selectedMarker: MKMapItem?

Map(selection: $selectedMarker) {
    ForEach(places) { place in
        Marker(place.name, coordinate: place.coordinate)
            .tag(place.mapItem)     // Tag must match selection type
    }
}
.onChange(of: selectedMarker) { _, newValue in
    guard let item = newValue else { return }
    // React to selection
}

CoreLocation Modern API

CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() (iOS 17+)

Replace CLLocationManagerDelegate callbacks with a single async sequence. Each iteration yields a CLLocationUpdate containing an optional CLLocation. On iOS 18+, handle diagnostic states such as denied authorization, globally disabled Location Services, unavailable location, and insufficient in-use conditions with a visible degraded path instead of silently waiting forever. Store the task so the feature can cancel it, and reject invalid, inaccurate, stale, or unusable movement data before driving map UI or background work.

import CoreLocation

@MainActor
@Observable
final class LocationTracker {
    var currentLocation: CLLocation?
    private var updateTask: Task<Void, Never>?

    func startTracking() {
        updateTask = Task {
            do {
                let updates = CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates()
                for try await update in updates {
                    guard let location = update.location else { continue }
                    // Filter by horizontal accuracy
                    guard location.horizontalAccuracy >= 0,
                          location.horizontalAccuracy < 50 else { continue }
                    currentLocation = location
                }
            } catch is CancellationError {
                // Expected when tracking stops.
            } catch {
                currentLocation = nil
            }
        }
    }

    func stopTracking() {
        updateTask?.cancel()
        updateTask = nil
    }
}

CLServiceSession (iOS 18+)

Declare authorization requirements for a feature's lifetime. Hold a reference to the session for as long as you need location services.

// When-in-use authorization with full accuracy preference
let session = CLServiceSession(
    authorization: .whenInUse,
    fullAccuracyPurposeKey: "NearbySearchPurpose"
)
// Hold `session` as a stored property; release it when done.

On iOS 18+, CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() and CLMonitor take an implicit CLServiceSession if you do not create one explicitly. Create one explicitly when you need .always authorization or full accuracy.

Authorization Flow

// Info.plist keys (required):
// NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription