PluginBench
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MIT

Apple Maps MCP Server

io.github.JonathanRReed/apple-maps-mcp

Search places, estimate routes, and build Apple Maps links on macOS via MCP.

What is the Apple Maps MCP server?

The Apple Maps MCP server lets AI clients search places, estimate travel routes, and generate Apple Maps links directly from macOS. It requires Python 3.11+ and macOS, with no privacy prompts for map operations.

This server integrates Apple Maps functionality into your AI workflow on macOS. You can search for locations, get route estimates, and create shareable Apple Maps links—all without leaving your AI client. It's part of a broader suite of Apple app integrations that run locally on your Mac.

How to install Apple Maps

Copy-paste configuration for popular MCP clients.

transport: stdio
Config generated by PluginBench — verify against the source before use.
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apple-maps-mcp": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "apple-maps-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Tools & capabilities

Tools this server exposes to the agent.

  • maps_search_places — Search for places and locations using Apple Maps.
  • maps_estimate_route — Estimate travel routes and directions between locations.
  • maps_build_link — Generate Apple Maps links for sharing or embedding.
  • maps_health — Check the health and availability of the Maps service.
  • maps_permission_guide — Provide guidance on required permissions for Maps access.

Use cases

  • Search for nearby restaurants, hotels, or services while planning travel
  • Get estimated travel times and route information for trip planning
  • Generate shareable Apple Maps links to send to contacts or embed in documents
  • Integrate location-based information into AI-assisted workflows on macOS
  • Verify Maps service availability and troubleshoot permission issues

Apple Maps MCP server FAQ

What is the Apple Maps MCP server?

It's an MCP server that gives AI clients like Claude access to Apple Maps functionality on macOS, including place search, route estimation, and link generation.

Is it free to use?

Yes, it's open-source (MIT license) and free. It uses Apple Maps, which is available on macOS at no additional cost.

How do I install it in Claude Desktop?

Download the `.mcpb` bundle from the GitHub Releases page and double-click it, or use `claude mcp add --transport stdio --scope project apple-tools -- uvx apple-maps-mcp`.

What permissions does it need?

Maps requires no privacy prompt. However, the Swift helper needs Xcode command line tools installed. Use `maps_permission_guide` to check and resolve any permission issues.

Can I use it with other Apple apps?

Yes, this is part of a larger suite. You can use the unified Apple-Tools-MCP server for access to Mail, Calendar, Reminders, Messages, Contacts, Notes, Shortcuts, Files, and System tools in addition to Maps.

Does my data stay local?

The server runs on your Mac, but your MCP client may send returned data to its model provider, and Apple apps may sync through iCloud or another account.

README (reference)

Source of truth, from the repository.

Apple-MCPs

CI Python 3.11+ macOS

MCP servers that let an AI client use Apple apps and macOS tools. Create reminders, send messages, check calendars, search mail, manage files, and get directions.

The servers run on your Mac. Your MCP client may send returned data to its model provider, and Apple apps may sync through iCloud or another account. Local execution does not mean the data stays local.

Requires Python 3.11+ and macOS. Uses MCP specification 2026-07-28 and Python SDK 2.x, with support for older client protocol revisions. MIT license.

Install

Install uv, then register the unified server with your client.

Claude Code:

claude mcp add --transport stdio --scope project apple-tools -- uvx apple-tools-mcp

Codex:

codex mcp add apple-tools -- uvx apple-tools-mcp

Other stdio clients:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apple-tools": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["apple-tools-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Run uvx apple-tools-mcp to start the server directly. Standalone servers use the same approach, such as uvx apple-mcp-mail or uvx apple-calendar-mcp.

Restart your client after installing or upgrading. Call search_tools with calendar health to check discovery without reading app data.

For Claude Desktop, download a server's .mcpb bundle from Releases and double-click it.

Set app-specific safety modes and directories in your client's env settings. The configuration guide lists defaults and options. Mail attachments are disabled until you set APPLE_MAIL_MCP_ALLOWED_ATTACHMENT_ROOT to a dedicated directory. Files tools only access APPLE_FILES_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS; macOS may impose further restrictions.

Choose a server

Start with Apple-Tools-MCP. It combines all ten apps and tools below, plus saved defaults, contact routing, Mail thread helpers, undo, briefings, and cross-app workflows.

Choose a standalone server to expose fewer apps to your client:

ServermacOS accessHealth toolPermission help
MailAutomation access to Mailmail_healthmail_permission_guide, mail_recheck_permissions
CalendarCalendar accesscalendar_healthcalendar_permission_guide, calendar_recheck_permissions
RemindersReminders accessreminders_healthreminders_permission_guide, reminders_recheck_permissions
MessagesAutomation; Full Disk Access for historymessages_healthmessages_permission_guide, messages_recheck_permissions
ContactsContacts accesscontacts_healthcontacts_permission_guide, contacts_recheck_permissions
NotesAutomation access to Notesnotes_healthnotes_permission_guide, notes_recheck_permissions
ShortcutsUsually no separate promptshortcuts_healthshortcuts_permission_guide, shortcuts_refresh_state
FilesAllowed roots and protected-folder accessfiles_healthfiles_permission_guide
SystemSome actions need System Events, Accessibility, or Automationsystem_healthsystem_permission_guide
MapsNo privacy prompt; Swift helper needs Xcode command line toolsmaps_healthmaps_permission_guide

The unified server uses apple_health, apple_permission_guide, and apple_recheck_permissions. You must approve permissions yourself in the macOS prompt or System Settings.

Find and use tools

MCP tools/list returns each tool's schemas and read or write annotations. Use search_tools to search names, descriptions, and aliases; use get_tool_info for one tool's schema and examples.

Resolve recipients through Contacts before sending, unless you have the exact address. For Mail conversations, use mail_get_thread, mail_reply_latest_in_thread, or mail_archive_thread. Pass an exact sender email in from_account when the sending identity matters.

Mail search requires a query: a sender, subject fragment, or *. Reminders due_date requires a timezone offset, such as yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ss-08:00. Omit service_name when sending iMessages.

The unified server also provides apple_generate_daily_briefing, apple_generate_weekly_briefing, and apple_triage_communications_task. Clients without prompt support can use apple_list_prompts, apple_get_prompt, and their per-server equivalents.

For calls from Python, use the metadata in generated/tool_catalogs/ and wrappers in generated/tool_wrappers/python/. See code-mode.md.

Transport and stored state

stdio is the default. To use Streamable HTTP, set APPLE_<DOMAIN>_MCP_TRANSPORT=streamable-http and the matching _HOST and _PORT variables.

HTTP must bind to 127.0.0.1, ::1, or localhost. The servers have no remote authentication and reject network and wildcard binds. Do not expose them through a tunnel or public proxy.

Apple-Tools-MCP stores defaults in ~/.apple-tools-mcp/preferences.json, configurable through APPLE_AGENT_MCP_STATE_FILE. It stores recent actions in ~/.apple-tools-mcp/actions.json for audit and undo.

Develop

git clone https://github.com/JonathanRReed/Apple-MCPs.git
cd Apple-MCPs
uv sync --all-packages

The uv workspace installs every server into .venv/bin. Each server folder also has a start.sh for clients; it uses uv when available and otherwise creates a virtual environment. Root pyproject.toml defines workspace members, and uv.lock pins dependencies.

PathContents
Apple-Tools-MCP/Unified server; module apple_agent_mcp, environment prefix APPLE_AGENT_MCP_*
Apple<Domain>-MCP/Standalone servers; Calendar uses Apple-Calendar-MCP
AppleMCPCommon/Shared discovery and search, published as apple-mcp-common
generated/Tool catalogs and Python wrappers
scripts/Installation, checks, generation, and bundle builds
docs/Project and launch documentation

Run smoke checks:

bash scripts/inspector_smoke.sh
uv run python scripts/protocol_smoke.py

For the official conformance suite, start the server in a separate terminal:

APPLE_AGENT_MCP_TRANSPORT=streamable-http \
APPLE_AGENT_MCP_PORT=8765 \
APPLE_AGENT_MCP_CONFORMANCE_MODE=1 \
./Apple-Tools-MCP/start.sh
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/conformance@0.2.0-alpha.11 server --url http://127.0.0.1:8765/mcp --requirements 2026-07-28

Conformance mode registers test fixtures. Use it only for protocol validation. CI runs lint, macOS and Linux tests, generated-file checks, Inspector smoke checks, and conformance tests.

Documentation

Contributing · Security · Troubleshooting · MCP compatibility · Publishing · Changelog · Trademark notice · Launch docs

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