If you’re like me, you’ve been using Apple Maps for years, whether to navigate to a new coffee shop or check live traffic before a meeting.
It’s reliable, intuitive, and (mostly) smooth. But one thing has always bugged me: zooming in and out while juggling a coffee in one hand and trying not to drop my phone with the other.
Most folks instinctively use the two-finger pinch to zoom, and for good reason; we’ve done it this way since the iPhone’s debut.
But here’s a little-known gem baked into iOS that solves this in a much smarter way: you can zoom in and out with just one thumb.
Here’s how it works:
- Open Apple Maps
- Double-tap, and hold on to the second tap. Without lifting your finger, slide up to zoom in or down to zoom out.
That’s it. With one hand, you have full zoom control.
It sounds simple because it is, but once you start using it, it becomes second nature. I caught myself doing it instinctively the other day, coffee in one hand, iPhone in the other, quickly zooming into the map to double-check which alley was the entrance. No fumbling, no stress.
If you’re someone who multitasks or appreciates thoughtful UI design, try it out. It’s the kind of tip that makes you feel like you unlocked a secret level one that Apple quietly built just for the power users who care about the details.
And hey, next time your friend awkwardly pinch-zooms with their nose while holding a sandwich, show them the thumb trick. You’ll look like a wizard.
