How to Stop iPhone Maps from Automatically Pausing Audio During Prompts

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: July 23, 2022 Tested

Don't you wish your iPhone's Maps app wouldn't pause your podcast or audiobook to give you directions? If you'd rather the Maps app just lower the volume a bit instead of completely pausing the app, you can make a quick change in your settings. This wikiHow article teaches you how to make it so your iPhone's Maps app stops pausing your podcasts and audiobooks to give you turn-by-turn directions.

1

Open your iPhone's Settings.

Tap the gray gear icon on your Home screen. If you don't see it, you'll find it in the Utilities folder of your App Library.

2

Scroll down and tap "Maps."

You'll find Maps in the 5th group of options. Your Apple Maps options will appear.

3

Tap "Spoken Directions."

You'll see the Spoken Directions option near the middle of the menu. This displays options for voice directions.

4

Disable the "Directions Pause Podcasts" switch.

Tap the switch next to "Directions Pause Podcasts" to turn the feature off
. When this slider is off, your iPhone will no longer stop playing podcasts and audiobook to give you directions. Now Maps will behave the way it does when you're listening to music—it will just lower the volume of your podcast or audiobook rather than stopping it completely.