Apple Maps is the default navigation app on every iPhone and iPad worldwide. Listing your transit routes on Apple Maps puts your service in front of millions of riders who use Apple devices — many of whom never open a competing app. For agencies that have already published to Google Maps, Apple Maps is the logical next step to maximise discoverability.
Apple Maps uses the same GTFS standard as Google Maps, so if you already have a valid GTFS feed, most of your work is already done. The submission process is different, but the data requirements are largely the same.
Apple Maps transit coverage varies by region. As of 2024, Apple supports bus, metro, ferry, rail, and tram services in a growing number of countries. Apple prioritises larger agencies and major metropolitan areas first, but smaller operators can still apply — and acceptance has been expanding steadily.
Check Apple's current transit coverage map to see if your region is already supported. If it is, your application is more likely to be approved quickly. If it is not yet covered, you can still submit — your data may be added when coverage expands to your area.
Before approaching Apple, your GTFS feed must pass full validation with no errors. Apple's review process is manual, so a feed with errors will simply be rejected without further guidance. Run your feed through AddTransit's built-in validator and ensure you have zero errors and as few warnings as possible. See our guide on how to validate a GTFS feed for a complete walkthrough.
Apple Maps requires your GTFS feed to be available at a stable, publicly accessible URL — typically a direct link to your ZIP file (for example: https://youragency.com/gtfs/feed.zip). The URL must be accessible without any login or authentication. AddTransit can host your feed for you so you do not need to set up your own file server.
Unlike Google, Apple does not have a self-service portal for transit agencies. You apply by contacting Apple's Maps Transit team directly. Use Apple's Maps Connect or the dedicated transit data submission pathway. In your submission, include:
Apple's transit team reviews submissions manually. This process typically takes several weeks to several months. Apple may contact you for additional information or clarification. Keep your GTFS feed URL active and up to date during this period — if Apple attempts to fetch your feed and finds it unavailable, your application may be delayed.
Once Apple confirms your feed has been accepted, search for your routes in Apple Maps on an iPhone. Check that stop positions, route names, and departure times are all displaying correctly. If you spot any issues, contact Apple's transit team with the specific details.
Apple Maps, like Google Maps, will periodically re-fetch your GTFS feed from the URL you provided. Keep your feed hosted and updated at the same URL. When your schedules change, update and re-publish your feed before the change takes effect. Do not let your service calendar expire — expired feeds cause your routes to disappear from Apple Maps just as they do from Google Maps.
AddTransit creates and hosts a validated, standards-compliant GTFS feed that meets Apple's requirements. With AddTransit, you get a permanent, stable hosting URL for your feed — the same URL Apple requires. When schedules change, updating your feed takes minutes, not hours. AddTransit also covers submission to multiple platforms from a single feed, so you can be listed on Google Maps, Apple Maps, and other trip planners without maintaining separate datasets.
