What is Speed Check on Apple Maps? Understanding How It Improves Navigation

7 min readSep 12, 2023

You may have noticed the Speed Check notification popping up lately within the Apple Maps app. But what exactly does it mean when Maps asks you to perform a Speed Check?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what the Speed Check feature is, how it works, and why Apple wants users to utilize it. You’ll understand how performing Apple Maps Speed Checks improves maps data and ultimately enhances navigation for all users.

We’ll cover how to easily submit a Speed Check report when prompted in Maps to contribute to more accurate speed limit mapping. With a few simple taps, you can play a role in advancing Apple’s crowdsourced mapping efforts!

What is Speed Check on Apple Maps?

The Speed Check feature in Apple Maps allows users to verify the current speed limit being shown in the mapping app against posted real-world speed signs.

Essentially, it enables crowdsourced confirmation of proper speed limit data. When you perform a requested Speed Check, Apple captures your GPS-tagged response to cross-check against its own speed information mapped for that location.

User Speed Check reports either verify the accuracy of Apple’s existing speed data or provide corrective feedback to improve it. This allows Apple to rapidly identify any speed limit discrepancies and update its maps accordingly.

Why Does Apple Want You to Do Speed Checks?

So why is Apple requesting that users perform these Speed Checks within Maps? There are a few key reasons:

Validate speed data accuracy — User reports confirm or correct speed limits
Rapidly fix errors — Quickly identify and resolve speed discrepancies
Improve maps — Apply corrections to create a better mapping database
Enhance navigation — More accurate speed data improves route ETAs and guidance
Safety benefits — Ensure users aren’t ticketed incorrectly by Map speed info

Performing quick occasional Speed Checks helps Apple maintain high-quality and reliable speed limit mapping — a win-win for Apple and Maps users alike.

How Does the Speed Check Process Work?

When you receive a Speed Check prompt in Apple Maps, the process to complete it is very straightforward:

Apple Maps will display a “Speed Check — Report Speed Limit” notification when you approach an area where they need user verification.
If the speed limit shown matches the actual posted speed, tap “Report Speed Limit is Accurate” button.
If the speed limit is incorrect, tap the “Report Correct Speed Limit” button instead. You will be prompted to enter the correct posted limit.
After submitting, Apple receives your anonymous report to cross-check and update their speed data.

The simplicity makes it easy for drivers to participate and contribute at the moments Maps needs additional verification.

When Will I Be Prompted to Do a Speed Check?

Speed Check prompts will only appear periodically as needed when Apple’s algorithms detect some uncertainty or discrepancy with the currently mapped speed limit in your present location.

This may occur:

When entering an area with outdated Maps data
After a speed limit change is made by local authorities
When few other users have previously traveled a roadway
If major mapping improvements are underway in a region

Speed Checks are not constant and you may only receive a handful over months of regular Maps use. Completing each one helps Apple gather important contextual speed info to reach correct conclusions.

Can I Initiate a Speed Check Manually?

Unfortunately, there is no way to manually trigger a Speed Check on your own within Apple Maps currently. They can only be initiated by Apple’s algorithms sending the prompt when additional speed limit verification is needed for a particular roadway.

However, if you notice any apparent speed data errors, you can report map issues through the built-in “Report an Issue” button. Tap the “i” icon on your onscreen map and select “Report an Issue” to submit corrections or feedback that may prompt a Speed Check request next time you’re in the area.

Do I Have to Complete Speed Checks?

Speed Checks are entirely optional and voluntary. There is no requirement to participate if you don’t wish. However, taking a few moments to submit Speed Checks when requested provides valuable data that Apple relies on to flag any speed limit discrepancies and deploy corrections. Doing your small part helps contribute to more accurate Maps that benefit all users.

Will Speed Checks Distract Me While Driving?

Apple has intentionally designed the Speed Check functionality to provide clear upfront prompts that only require one or two taps. This allows completing reports at stop lights or in slow traffic rather than causing distraction.

However, if a Speed Check alert appears at an inopportune moment, you can dismiss it by tapping “Remind Me Later” and submit it next time you pass the location. Only perform Speed Checks when you can do so safely!

Do Speed Checks Share My Location or Data?

Rest assured, Speed Checks are completely anonymous. No identifying user data gets sent to Apple along with your speed limit verification report. Only your GPS location is captured briefly to identify the corresponding roadway segment. After processing your check, the location data is immediately discarded by Apple.

How Does Apple Use My Speed Check Report?

When you submit a Speed Check, Apple references your response against its own speed limit mapping data for that precise GPS coordinate:

If Verified Accurate — Your response helps Apple confirm their speed data is correct.
If Incorrect — Apple analyzes your reported correct speed to determine if their limit needs updating. Additional user reports help confirm the discrepancy before Maps data gets changed.

Millions of crowdsourced verification points allow Apple to achieve a high level of confidence in the accuracy of speed limits displayed in Maps.

How Do Speed Checks Benefit Map Users?

When drivers like yourself take a moment to perform Apple Maps Speed Checks, the entire Maps community reaps important benefits:

Improved Routing — Correct speed limits give more precise ETAs and route guidance
Avoided Tickets — Maps users don’t get erroneously ticketed due to incorrect speed data
Safer Driving — Display of accurate speed limits enhances road awareness
Updated Database — Frequent corrections create a superior maps foundation
Enhanced Navigation — Better overall mapping and improved turn-by-turn guidance

The small efforts of many users performing checks combines to improve Maps navigation for all.

Tips for Completing Speed Checks

Follow these tips for quick and accurate Speed Checks when you receive the next prompt:

Activate Maps voice guidance to follow prompts eyes-free
Only respond when safely stopped or at very low speeds
Double check actual speed limit signs match Maps display
Check both electronic signs and posted limits
Report any construction zone speed reductions
Update Apple again if a past report seems incorrect now

Take care to carefully verify the actual posted speed before responding. Submitting accurate Speed Checks truly helps improve Apple Maps!

The Future of Crowdsourced Mapping

Speed Checks are just one example of Apple leveraging crowdsourcing to enhance their Maps app. Features like reporting traffic jams, collisions, and road hazards also rely on participation from the Maps user community.

Apple is even piloting a project called Look Around, similar to Google Street View, by capturing ground-level images from iPhone users who elect to share walk, drive, or bike recordings.

Opting into these initiatives helps steer Apple Maps closer to reach parity with long-time mapping leaders like Google Maps and Waze. Continuing to refine speed limit accuracy through Speed Checks moves them in the right direction.

So next time you get the alert, take a minute to perform a quick Speed Check and do your part to improve Apple Maps!

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Maps Speed Check

Does Google Maps have speed verification like Speed Check?

Yes, Google Maps uses a similar crowdsourcing model called the Local Guides program, where users confirm speed limits to improve Google’s maps data.

Why doesn’t Apple Maps show speed limits on all roads?

Apple is still gathering speed limit data for all roadways mapped within Apple Maps to provide broader speed limit coverage in future.

Do Apple Maps Speed Checks work without cellular service?

Yes, you can submit Speed Checks over WiFi-only connections. Location data will cache until cell signal returns allowing upload of the report.

Can I get rewarded for completing Speed Checks?

Currently Apple does not offer rewards or points for performing Speed Checks like some other crowdsourced programs. It is purely voluntary.

Will Apple ever collect other map data like Google Street View?

It’s possible Apple may expand into Street View-like capabilities via iPhone crowdsourcing. They already demonstrate interest with their Look Around pilot project.

Speed Checks are a quick and easy way to contribute to improving Apple Maps for all users. Remember to perform checks responsibly when prompted, but only when safe. Together we can enhance navigation accuracy by reporting proper speed limit data observed on local roads.

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