What to do when Apple Maps shows no images but only a grid?

Question

hoku2020 Author

Level 1

4 points

What to do when Apple Maps shows no images but only a grid?

I have a problem with Apple Maps. But first my equipment

Mac Pro Mid 2010

2.8 quad core xeon

32GB Ram

2, 1 TB hard drives

El Capitan 10.11.6

Apple Maps Version 2.0 (1906-47.0.1)

This Mac Pro has run flawlessly since the day I bought it, and still does, except for Apple Maps. Apple Maps started to fail slowly first loosing images on Transit and Map showing only a Grid on the screen. Then a few days later the Satellite Images also failed only showing a grid. I have been all over the web trying to find help for this issue. I have tried all suggested fixes most found on Apple Forum posts. A thread on Apple Forums suggested trying > go to and add this line

“~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Maps.plista hit go, then send com.apple.Maps.plista

to trash, then restart. I get the msg “com.apple.Maps.plista can not be found”. I am lost, up against the wall needing help please.

Please keep in mind that Maps on this computer and all other software has been running flawless now for 14 years. I have NOT added any new hardware or software. I have NOT changed any settings. Just all of a sudden Maps failed. Maps is very important to me for directions. Thanks

for your help

Paul

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Sep 9, 2024 3:19 PM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Sep 9, 2024 3:54 PM in response to hoku2020

The advice you saw included a typo. The file is com.apple.Maps.plist, sans the "a". Whether deleting that preference file will help I can't say.

Regards.

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Answer 2

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Sep 12, 2024 10:16 AM in response to hoku2020

The original disks that came with a 2010 Mac Pro would probably have been Mac OS X 10.6. That machine was discontinued well before El Capitan was released. So if you can find a set of original install disks, they'll be earlier than the version of macOS you have now which would require erasing the drive, installing over a later version of macOS almost never working out well. But you may be able to create a bootable installer of El Capitan. See:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

If you can get a suitable installer, then installing over the existing copy of macOS shouldn't delete any apps or data. That said, though, things can go wrong, so make sure you have at least one good backup of your data before you attempt the reinstallation.

Regards.

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Answer 3

hoku2020 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 10, 2024 10:39 AM in response to hoku2020

UPDATE;

I started Maps and went to directions. I entered two cities about 100 miles apart. No Images in Satellite, Transit or Map, BUT in the direction box all the proper and correct directions were

given. So, maps is working to a partial extent. Does this latest finding help in diagnosing the no

images issue. Thank You

Paul

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Answer 4

hoku2020 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 11, 2024 5:20 PM in response to hoku2020

UPDATE 2

I got a idea today to see if 3d flyover was working. I entered St Louis hit enter. Nothing but a

black grid screen came up. I then clicked on 3d flyover. And the screen came on with a St Louis

flyover. I know it was correct as the fly over went right over the ST Louis Arch. U then tried

Poughkeepsie, NY and Atlanta. 3d Fly over perfect, directions to my home were correct including the blue trace showing the road, but no image.

I cant be the only person that has experienced this issue. Is there no one out there that can help

me get this running again as it has for the past 14 years, perfect no issues whatsoever. Does not Apple read these posts and step in when no help is offered from the community?

Thank You

Paul

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Answer 5

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Sep 12, 2024 5:31 AM in response to hoku2020

Sorry, I haven't been able to find any information this issue and have no suggestions other than reinstalling macOS. Perhaps someone will eventually be able offer a suggestion. No, Apple does not participate in these forums. If you want help from Apple, you'd have to call Apple Support.

Regards.

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Answer 6

hoku2020 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 12, 2024 9:49 AM in response to varjak paw

Varjak Paw

Thanks for the reply and your help. I dont have a problem reloading OS 10.11.6 El Capitan, however two questions.

I bought this Mac Pro Mid 2010 year, now 2 house moves later, I can not find the OS disk to reload and it does not appear to be available from the apple store, or maybe it never came with

a OS 10.11.6 disk. I dont remember, to many years ago. And if I did find OS 10.11.6 disk to reload with, will that destroy all my data and files or will it only touch the OS. I think the problem is something simple as Directions work including the blue line for route on a otherwise blank screen. And 3D Flyover works great.

Profound Thank You

Paul

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