Apple's New Hiking Features Tested (in Beta)

Testing Apple’s new iOS 18 hiking tools & satellite messaging in Joshua Tree — see what works and what still needs work.
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00:00 Hiking Trails
02:36 Custom Routes
03:56 Trail Testing
06:44 Check Ins
07:22 Satellite Messaging

Apple is rolling out new hiking features in iOS 18 and watchOS for the Apple Watch Ultra and iPhone, so I downloaded the beta and took them to Joshua Tree National Park to test them in 110°F heat. In this video, you’ll see how Apple’s new hiking maps, custom route creation, and non-emergency satellite messaging work in the real world — and where they still fall short.

I walk through the new Apple Maps hiking interface, showing how to find popular hikes, view elevation profiles, and save routes to your library. I also demo the custom route tool, which lets you click points on the map and automatically snap to trails, similar to what you’d find in Garmin, Strava, or AllTrails. Getting driving directions to the trailhead through Apple Maps and CarPlay is now seamless — but offline syncing to the watch still has some beta quirks.

On the trail, I test the turn-by-turn hiking directions on the Apple Watch. While it displays elevation and progress, it lacks some of the data and clarity found in dedicated hiking apps like Footpath or WorkOutDoors — including missing guidance at loop trail junctions and no alerts when going off route. I also show how the hiking feature is separate from the Workout app, meaning you need to run both if you want navigation and activity tracking at the same time.

Finally, I try Apple’s new non-emergency satellite messaging. I walk through the connection process, explain which services work over satellite, and test sending texts to someone not on the beta. The system works, but replying from older software is still a limitation. I also test the “Check In” feature in Workouts, which is promising for letting loved ones know you’re safe — though it doesn’t yet work over satellite.

This is an honest, real-world look at Apple’s upcoming hiking and satellite messaging features in beta. I’ll revisit them when the final release rolls out, but for now, you can see exactly what works and what’s still rough around the edges.


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