How to Block Adult Content in Apple Maps on iPhone
In order to block adult content in Apple Maps on iPhone, you'll have to go further than Screen Time. These are the two best ways to restrict inappropriate images in the Maps app.
If you are trying to block adult content in Apple Maps on iPhone or iPad, you might have realized that Screen Time doesn't provide any content controls that effect the Maps app. This might seem like a niche problem, but we’ve had a surprising number of parents ask the same question: Is it possible to block inappropriate images in Apple Maps without blocking the app entirely?
In this guide, we'll show you the best ways to prevent accessing adult content in the Maps app on iPhone.
Choosing an Effective Approach to Blocking Adult Content in Apple Maps
Normally, anyone using Apple Maps can search for a location and view community photos taken at that location, like this:
However, as some parents have pointed out, not all places are family-friendly, and all photos are community-provided. This presents the chance that explicit or “racy” content might get included.
If you want to block inappropriate content in the Apple Maps app, you might have wondered if Screen Time or Apple Maps provides content controls that automatically filters out explicit content.
The short answer is no, not as of March 2026. Apple also hasn't announced any plans to provide content controls in Apple Maps.
But there are a few effective options for ensuring inappropriate content isn't access in the Maps app:
- Block the images and media from displaying in the Maps app completely.
- Use a screen accountability for iPhone to ensure inappropriate content isn't being searched for in the Maps app.
Block Images in Apple Maps
The most reliable way to restrict access to inappropriate content in Apple Maps is to block the web addresses that Apple uses to show images in the app. This will block images on Apple Maps, but other features (like navigation, search, or location sharing) stay unaffected.
If you’re using Tech Lockdown’s DNS Content Policy to manage your child’s internet connection, we’ve created a dedicated rule preset that blocks the correct addresses for you:
If you don't want to block images in Apple Maps permanently, you can use the LivingRoom for iOS app to unblock images when Apple Maps activity is fully supervised.
This app automatically blocks images in Apple maps until the screen is recorded. Then, images are automatically unblocked.
A parent or accountability partner can see screenshots of what was looked at in Apple Maps to determine if there's any problematic use of Apple Maps.
You can also block these addresses manually using a website blocker that uses DNS, a content filter, or VPN to block websites:
xp.v.aaplimg.com is1-ssl.mzstatic.com
Blocking the above addresses with Screen Time's website blocklist may not work properly. Apple prevents Screen Time from blocking certain addresses related to Apple's services.
Block Nudity Automatically in Apple Maps
If you’re using the LivingRoom for Families app to monitor a child or accountability partner's iPhone/iPad, the app automatically detects and blocks nudity in any app.
I discuss this more in the Youtube video below:
This ensures if extremely inappropriate content is discovered in Apple Maps, LivingRoom will quickly block the content.