How to Enable Step by Step Directions on Your iPhone

In this quick tutorial we show you how to turn on step by step direction on your iPhone. Most regular global positioning systems on the market today have the ability to give turn by turn directions to a driver all throughout a trip.

Instead of requiring the driver to look down at the GPS every so often, he or she can simply listen as the device speaks the directions aloud. Thanks to Siri and iOS 6, the iPhone from Apple is now also capable of giving users turn by turn directions between any two destinations. All you have to do is configure the built-in “Maps” application in a very particular way.

Step 1
Load the “Maps” application on your iPhone by tapping on its icon, the same way you would if you were loading the application for any other circumstances. Don’t worry about activating Siri voice functionality before you open the application – the “Maps” application will still give you spoken, turn by turn directions even if you don’t tell Siri to do that with your voice.

Step 2
If you want to get directions from your current location, tap the “Location” button at the bottom of the screen. Your iPhone will use your data connection to pinpoint your exact location. If you want to get directions between two addresses that are unrelated to your current location, skip this step.

Step 3
Locate and tap the grey “Directions” button in the upper left corner of your iPhone. A box will appear that allows you to input “Start” and “End” locations. If you’re getting directions from your current location, the “Start” box will automatically read “Current Location” and can go unchanged. Tap inside either the “Start” or “End” boxes to make the iPhone’s virtual keyboard appear.

Use that keyboard to enter specific address information into the relevant boxes. Note that you can also tap the “Siri” button on the virtual keyboard to enter information into the boxes using your voice. Doing so is much safer than typing, especially if you’re already on the road.

Step 4
Tap either the grey “Route” button on the iPhone virtual keyboard or the blue “Route” button in the upper left corner of the screen. Your iPhone will automatically begin to display directions for your trip. As you reach a new waypoint, Siri will automatically direct you to your next action.

If you need to turn left on an upcoming specific street, for example, Siri will say “Turn left on” followed by the name of the street. Siri will continue to direct you throughout the remainder of your trip.

Note that you can slide the green boxes at the top of the screen left to see previous directions or to the right to see upcoming directions. Siri will continue to update you in real time about required actions, even if you’re not actually viewing the most immediate upcoming direction.

     Sam Jones

About the Guest Author:

Sam Jones, the author, has recently been looking into iPhone best deals as the features available seem incredible.