Core
This section covers the core runtime entities used across the Maps SDK for iOS: geographic primitives, positions, landmarks, markers, overlays, routes, navigation instructions, traffic events, and image rendering APIs.
You can use these guides as a reference path from low-level map entities to real-time navigation data.
Base entities
This page covers the fundamental building blocks of the iOS SDK: coordinates, paths, and geographic areas.
Positions
This page covers position handling in iOS using PositionObject and PositionContext.
Landmarks
A landmark is a rich point-of-interest entity represented by LandmarkObject. It combines location, metadata, media, categories, and store membership. Landmarks represent significant, categorized locations with rich metadata and structured context about a place.
Markers
A marker is a visual geometry represented by MarkerObject. Markers are ideal for temporary annotations, shapes, user-defined graphics, and lightweight map overlays that are local to your app session.
Overlays
An overlay is an additional map layer with data stored on Magic Lane servers, accessible in both online and offline modes. Overlays can be default or user-defined, and they support category hierarchies and downloadable offline data.
Landmarks vs Markers vs Overlays
When building map features, choose the entity that matches your data lifecycle and interaction model.
Routes
A route represents a navigable path between two or more landmarks (waypoints), including distance, estimated time, and navigation instructions.
Navigation Instructions
The iOS SDK provides real-time navigation guidance through NavigationInstructionObject. It exposes current street and road details, speed-limit context, remaining time and distance, lane guidance, and upcoming maneuvers during active navigation or simulation.
Traffic Events
The Maps SDK for iOS provides real-time traffic information about delays, incidents, and road restrictions that can affect routing and navigation.
Images
The Maps SDK for iOS uses ImageObject for plain SDK images and UIKit-native UIImage rendering for display. Some APIs expose ImageObject so you can control rendering yourself, while navigation-oriented APIs render UIImage directly.