Questions
Questions people actually ask.
What the app does, where the cases come from, and what it does with your location.
Is Murder Maps free?
Yes. Murder Maps is free to download and there is no subscription, paid tier or in-app purchase.
What do I need to run it?
An iPhone running iOS 16.6 or later. The download is only 23.4 MB!
How many cases are in the app?
More than 430 documented incidents!
How far around me does it look?
Murder Maps searches a 30-mile radius around your current location. If you travel, the map redraws itself for wherever you are.
Where does the case information come from?
Every case is drawn from publicly documented, previously reported homicides, including cases featured on long-running investigative programs such as Forensic Files, 20/20 and Cold Justice. Nothing in the app is speculative or first-published there.
Does Murder Maps track my location?
The app needs to know roughly where you are in order to draw the map, and that is the only reason it asks for location access. Location is processed on your device and is not uploaded to a server. Apple's privacy label for the app lists only a device identifier, collected for app functionality and not linked to your identity. Note that iOS may report the app can use location while it is not open; you can restrict this at any time in Settings.
What is Incident of the Day?
A single case delivered to you each day from outside your local area, so the map around you is never the whole story. If you allow notifications, opening the notification takes you straight to that case.
What is On This Day?
A daily view of cases that share today's calendar date — anniversaries that are otherwise unmarked.
Can I save a case to read later?
Yes. You can keep up to five incidents in My Archive and return to them when you have time.
A case near me is missing. Can I add it?
Yes, and submissions are welcome. Use the Submit an Incident screen in the app's settings. The same screen is the right place to flag a listing you believe is inaccurate.
Why is the app rated 16+?
Because the subject matter is real homicide. Apple's rating reflects frequent mature or suggestive themes and frequent horror or fear themes. It is not intended for children.
Does Murder Maps show ads?
Yes. The app is free and is supported by advertising, including interstitial ads shown before Incident of the Day and before the Dig Deeper view.