40+ hidden Google Maps settings that each person ought to be making the most of

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Google Maps has dozens of settings that unlock hidden options.
• They enhance navigation, battery life, accessibility, privateness, and extra.
• Listed here are the highest suggestions and tips I consider make Maps way more helpful.

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I open Google Maps virtually on daily basis to get from level A to level B, discover a restaurant, or examine visitors earlier than even leaving the home.

However that method barely scratches the floor of what the service can do. After writing about Google Maps for practically 15 years, I’ve realized firsthand that it is filled with hidden settings, menus, and toggles. Many allow you to fine-tune the app to your liking, whereas others unlock new options you most likely did not know existed.

Additionally: Learn how to blur your private home on Google Road View – and why you need to do it ASAP

Beneath is my grasp checklist of Google Maps settings, suggestions, and tips each energy person ought to know. I’ve centered on Google Maps for iOS and Android, particularly, however lots of the recommendations do work on the net model as nicely.

1. Preserve the map going through north

Let’s begin with a typical annoyance: the map not auto-rotating as you progress, making it laborious to orient your self. When you favor to maintain the map going through north, go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and activate Preserve map north up.

Additionally: A hidden Google Earth slider allows you to journey as much as 80 years again in time – here is methods to strive it

2. Keep away from tolls, highways, or ferries

When you favor to keep away from tolls, highways, or ferries, whether or not to save lots of money and time or take the scenic route, you’ll be able to inform Google Maps to keep away from them by default. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and toggle on Keep away from tolls, Keep away from highways, or Keep away from ferries.

3. Use fuel-efficient routes

Who does not wish to save fuel on a visit? If you wish to journey as effectively as attainable, inform Google Maps to recommend fuel-efficient routes by default, particularly if arrival occasions are related. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and activate Want fuel-efficient routes.

Additionally: 10 Google Maps settings I instantly change on each new cellphone – and why

4. Inform Google Maps your automobile sort

Instantly beneath the Want fuel-efficient routes choice (Profile icon > Settings > Navigation), you will note a setting so as to add your automobile. Faucet it to set an engine sort (fuel, diesel, hybrid, or electrical) for extra customized outcomes and route suggestions. For instance, if you happen to drive an electrical automobile, Google Maps can consider your battery wants when suggesting routes and stops.

5. Specify your EV mannequin and charging plug

I am not accomplished with electrical automobile options simply but. As talked about earlier, Google Maps can prioritize EV charging stations, however it may well additionally tailor outcomes to your actual automotive and charging setup. In Profile icon > Settings > Your automobiles, when you’ve got chosen Electrical as your engine sort, you’ll be able to enter your automobile’s make, mannequin, 12 months, trim, and plug or adapter particulars. Google Maps will then filter charging stations particularly on your automobile.

6. Add a number of stops to a route

I typically make stops or run errands throughout a visit, so I attempt to add them to my Maps route not just for navigation assist however to get a extra correct estimated time of arrival. When making a route, faucet the three-dot menu subsequent to your place to begin, choose Edit stops, and add as many stops as you want. Press and maintain the three-line deal with on stops to reorder, or faucet X to take away one.

7. Set a departure time

This one is essential if you need an correct estimated time of arrival.

Visitors varies by time of day, so checking a route throughout rush hour can skew your journey time if you happen to plan to go away earlier or later. For instance, if you happen to search for a drive to Montreal at 4 p.m. however plan to go away in the course of the night time, your estimate will probably be off. As an alternative, set a departure time. From the route display, faucet the three-dot menu subsequent to your place to begin and choose Set a departure time.

8. Set a reminder to go away

Must get someplace by a sure time? As an alternative of setting an alarm, you’ll be able to ask Maps to remind you. From the route display, faucet the three-dot menu subsequent to your place to begin and choose Set a reminder to go away. You may select a leave-by and arrive-by time, and Google Maps will consider dwell visitors to inform you when it is time to go. No different alarm or app required.

9. Activate Glanceable Instructions

You may preserve turn-by-turn instructions seen in your lock display with out unlocking your cellphone. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and allow Glanceable instructions whereas navigating. This function is helpful when your cellphone occasions out throughout navigation to save lots of battery, or if you lock the display to forestall distractions or unintended faucets, however you continue to wish to look at upcoming turns.

10. Use voice instructions

Typically it’s simpler to say the place you’ll want to go slightly than sort it out, corresponding to when your fingers are full whereas strolling, or you’re driving in heavy visitors and may’t safely take a look at your display. In these circumstances, faucet the microphone icon within the Google Maps search bar and say your vacation spot. You may ask to search out fuel, reroute, or seek for locations, together with your private home, with out touching the keyboard.

Notice: You may change your language at any time by going to Profile icon > Settings > Apps and show > Voice search.

Additionally: 6 Google Maps tips to strive for the navigation app’s twentieth birthday

When you’re not in a position to faucet the microphone icon for no matter cause, you’ll be able to at all times say “OK Google” after which converse your vacation spot. To make use of this fully hands-free function, first allow Entry your Assistant with OK Google in Profile icon > Settings > Navigation.

11. Allow power-saving mode

Google Maps is usually a lifesaver, nevertheless it will also be a battery vampire.

Additionally: I discovered a free Google Maps various that does not monitor my location (or kill my cellphone battery)

When you want the app to settle down and go away you some juice to get by means of the remainder of your day, go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation > Driving choices and activate Energy saving mode. That is solely accessible when driving, nevertheless it provides you a easy, low-power map in your lock display with key data in-display, like subsequent turns. In response to Google, this alteration can considerably lengthen your battery.

Sadly, Energy saving mode is at present restricted to Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Professional, Pixel 10 Professional XL, and Pixel 10 Professional Fold gadgets. Like many Pixel-exclusive options, it might finally roll out to different Android and iOS customers.

12. Present the speedometer and pace limits

I actually love these two options. How typically are you driving someplace new and notice you haven’t seen a pace restrict signal shortly? It occurs to me on a regular basis. Google Maps solves this by displaying the present pace restrict and a built-in speedometer to assist keep away from unintended rushing. Simply go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation, and allow Pace restrict and Speedometer.

13. Flip off voice over Bluetooth

Hate when Google Maps interrupts the music enjoying by means of your automotive’s audio system? Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation, and switch off Play voice over Bluetooth. This step forces voice steering by means of your cellphone speaker as a substitute of your automotive’s audio system.

14. Make voice steering louder

When you turned off Bluetooth voice playback however now discover you are having hassle listening to instructions by means of your cellphone’s speaker, you’ll be able to enhance the amount in Google Maps itself. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation > Steerage quantity and choose Louder.

15. Get detailed audio cues whereas strolling

Google Maps can present extra frequent and detailed audio steering whereas strolling, together with landmark-based cues that will help you keep oriented. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and allow Detailed voice steering.

16. Use Reside View for AR instructions

That is one other helpful strolling function. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation, and allow Reside View.

Now, when you are on foot and following instructions in strolling mode, faucet the “Reside View” button. It makes use of your cellphone’s digicam and GPS to overlay arrows and instructions onto the true world, which is very useful in cities when it’s laborious to inform which avenue or route to take. Reside View even works indoors in some supported malls, airports, and transit hubs.

Additionally: Google’s Gemini 3.1 Professional is right here, and it simply doubled its reasoning rating

Notice: It’s also possible to tilt your cellphone to enter Reside View routinely, if enabled underneath Profile icon > Settings > Navigation.

17. Discover accessible locations

Want wheelchair-friendly entrances, restrooms, or parking? Maps can present accessible locations and options immediately on the map. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Apps and show and allow Emphasize accessibility data.

18. Use wheelchair accessible transit routes

Google Maps can prioritize elevators over stairs and keep away from inaccessible transfers when attainable. When making a route, choose the strolling choice, faucet Choices (the filter icon), and select Wheelchair accessible routes. It’s also possible to allow this out of your beginning location by tapping the three-dot menu, choosing Choices, and selecting Wheelchair accessible routes.

19. Select a most well-liked public transit mode

When making a route with public transit, you could have a number of journey modes accessible, relying in your location. Use the Modes dropdown or faucet Choices (the filter icon) to select from Subway, Practice, Tram, or Bus. Maps will then prioritize your chosen modes when calculating the route.

20. Change your automobile avatar

Do you know you’ll be able to change the blue arrow that represents you whereas navigating? Simply change it to a special icon or shade. For instance, I drive a black Mini and was in a position to choose a automobile avatar that appears very shut to at least one.

Go to Profile icon > Settings > Your automobiles > Driving avatar. From there, you’ll be able to decide considered one of a number of automobile choices, every with a number of colours, or change the arrow shade to make your place simpler to identify at a look.

21. Change to darkish mode (night time mode)

Google Maps allows you to select a Day or Evening shade scheme, or change routinely primarily based on the time of day. You’ll find this setting underneath Profile icon > Settings > Navigation. Faucet Shade scheme and choose your desire. This controls whether or not Maps makes use of a darker view throughout navigation, which could be simpler on the eyes in case you are delicate to a vivid display at night time.

22. Examine visitors

Regardless of the place you’re, you’ll be able to examine visitors on your route or present space. On the map, faucet the Layers icon (the stacked squares) within the high proper and choose Visitors. Roads are color-coded: inexperienced for fast-moving visitors, orange for reasonable visitors, and crimson or darkish crimson for heavy congestion. It’s also possible to view typical future visitors by utilizing Instructions and setting a future departure time.

23. Examine parking

One of many issues that stresses me out about touring or going to an occasion is parking. The place do I park? Is there parking close by? How a lot will it price? It’s so anxiety-inducing. However Google Maps may help. To make use of it to search out parking, seek for your vacation spot. As soon as the map facilities on it, choose the Parking choice, normally proven within the recommendations or underneath the Extra filter. 

Additionally: Gemini vs. Copilot: I in contrast the AI instruments on 7 on a regular basis duties, and there is a clear winner

When you see the “Ask” button seem, you can too ask Gemini about parking. Both approach, the function will present close by garages and much, together with their web sites, cellphone numbers, and fundamental itemizing data, which could be helpful for worrywarts like myself.

24. Save your parking location manually

The subsequent factor I hate about parking is remembering the place I parked my automotive.

I strive to take a look at indicators and poles and make a psychological observe of the extent and quantity, however if you happen to rush right into a venue to get to your seat, then navigate 20 flooring, 5 hallways, and a number of related buildings, it’s straightforward to neglect. However once more, good previous Google Maps may help.

Faucet the blue dot on the map and choose Save parking. Google Maps will drop a pin so you’ll be able to navigate again to your automotive later. It’s also possible to faucet the Extra choice within the place card and choose Set as parking location.

25. Make collections or lists of locations

Discover the small You tab on the backside of your Google Maps display? That is the place you’ll be able to group locations into collections, corresponding to your favourite eating places, by creating lists. Faucet New checklist, add a title and outline, then seek for locations and even routes to incorporate.

Additionally: Inside Google’s AI plan to finish Android developer toil – and pace up innovation

It’s also possible to share whole lists with others. Faucet the three-dot menu subsequent to an inventory to search out sharing choices, together with the flexibility to ask collaborators. This can be a nice function for coordinating journeys or exchanging suggestions.

26. Save your journeys

The You tab can be the place your saved journeys dwell.

For instance, once I used to journey to Montreal typically for work, I saved journeys round that metropolis so that they’d be straightforward to drag up later. To avoid wasting a visit when you are navigating, enter your vacation spot, begin the route, then faucet Save on the backside of the display.

27. Set residence and work addresses

Talking of labor, you need to set your private home and work addresses.

This offers you one-tap navigation and simpler commute planning with out repeatedly typing addresses. This step additionally unlocks extra customized visitors updates, group alerts, and search outcomes for close by locations, corresponding to fuel stations or eating places.

Additionally: Sick of AI in Search? These 7 Google options nonetheless put hyperlinks first

You may set these underneath Profile icon > Settings > Location and Privateness > House and work addresses.

28. Toggle 3D buildings

Exploring dense metropolis areas could be disorienting. For some folks, having extra visible depth makes the map simpler to know. In these circumstances, turning on 3D buildings may help. 

Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation settings and ensure Present raised buildings is turned on. After that, change it on from the map itself. Faucet the Layers icon (the stacked squares) within the top-right nook, then choose Raised buildings.

29. Know your layers, like air high quality and satellite tv for pc

The Layers icon (the stacked squares) on the map hides a number of map sorts and particulars. The default Google Maps view is ok and dandy, however I like switching to Satellite tv for pc infrequently. There may be additionally a Terrain choice for geography or topography nerds.

Additionally: How you should use Google Maps to trace wildfires and air high quality

Map particulars is the place issues get actually attention-grabbing. I’ve already talked about Visitors and Raised buildings, however you can too change on a Road View layer and see air high quality and wildfires in your space by toggling these layers.

30. Customise your models and map scale

Does it drive you bonkers that Google Maps reveals miles as a substitute of kilometers? You may change it. Go to Profile icon > Settings > App and show > Distance models. It’s also possible to set this setting to Automated, which I’ve discovered helpful when crossing the Canadian border. When you return to the App and show display, you will note choices to alter temperature models and toggle whether or not the map scale is seen.

31. Obtain maps for offline use

It is 2026, and my hometown nonetheless does not have a single bar of cell service.

It isn’t simply my city both; a lot of upstate New York is a patchwork of lifeless zones. In different phrases, downloading maps is important for me. That approach, I can get the place I must go with out worrying about instructions stalling.

Additionally: Gemini can look by means of your emails and pictures to ‘assist’ you now – however must you let it?

To obtain a map, enter your vacation spot, open the Extra choices within the place card that seems, and faucet Obtain offline map. Later, faucet your profile icon, go to Offline maps, and choose any map you want.

Simply keep in mind, offline maps sometimes expire after a 12 months.

32. Label locations for simple entry

Ever discover the little Label icon on the place card that seems after you seek for a vacation spot? I take advantage of it typically. One instance: most summers, I journey a few hours to my sister-in-law’s household camp. I by no means keep in mind the tackle or precisely methods to get there, so I created a label for it known as ‘Kenzie camp.’ This label provides me an simply searchable identify, making it fast to search out.

Labels even work with voice instructions in Google Maps. To create a label, seek for a vacation spot, then within the place card, choose Add label and enter a reputation. Labels are personal and solely seen to you.

33. Go incognito

You already know Chrome’s Incognito mode? Google Maps has one, too. This mode prevents exercise corresponding to searches, navigation routes, and placement historical past from being saved to your Google Account. To show it on, faucet your profile icon and choose Activate Incognito mode.

34. View, flip off, and delete your timeline

Google Maps has a Timeline function that routinely saves your location historical past, routes, and visited locations to your Google Account. Don’t love that? You may flip it off. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Location and Privateness, then flip off Timeline. Beneath that choice, you can too export your Timeline knowledge, delete all knowledge or a particular date vary, or set it to auto-delete on a rolling foundation if you happen to select to maintain it on.

Inquisitive about what’s in your timeline? You may entry it underneath Profile. It’s going to present you journeys and locations from at this time or the previous. You may faucet the three-dot menu on the high to entry your Location and Privateness settings for Timeline shortly or to delete a day.

35. Handle your historical past

There are a few different historical past toggles within the Location and Privateness display you need to find out about.

The primary is known as Your historical past. It saves your exercise throughout Google websites and apps to offer you a extra customized expertise in Maps. Slightly below it’s a Maps historical past choice, which saves your searches, instructions, and place views.

Additionally: I let Chrome’s AI agent store, analysis, and electronic mail for me – here is the way it went

If you choose Your historical past and faucet Flip off underneath Internet and App Exercise, it disables the function but additionally stops your Maps historical past from being saved. When you open the Maps historical past choice immediately, you’ll be able to delete or auto-delete your previous exercise.

You may delete particular person searches or clear the whole lot.

36. Delete latest searches

Don’t want your associate to see that you just just lately visited their favourite retailer to purchase them a gift? Regardless of the cause, it may be annoying if you faucet the search bar in Maps and your latest searches seem. When you swipe from proper to left on any entry, nonetheless, you’ll be able to shortly delete it, clearing your latest checklist and conserving your journey exercise out of sight.

37. Contribute to Google Maps

Ever surprise how Google Maps will get its knowledge? A whole lot of it comes from folks such as you and me who take the time to contribute. You may be a part of the Native Guides program to earn factors and perks, and get early entry to new Maps options by including critiques and pictures. When you enroll, open the Contribute tab subsequent to You in Google Maps so as to add pictures, replace locations, write critiques, and extra.

Earlier than you begin, there are a few switches value figuring out.

Underneath Profile icon > Settings > Location and Privateness, you will see that a Restricted Mode toggle that protects your privateness by stopping strangers from following you or viewing your full historical past of critiques, pictures, and edits. There may be additionally a Seen to companies toggle. When turned off, it stops companies from seeing that you just comply with them, together with your identify, picture, and public profile.

38. Scale back your notifications

Google Maps might be one of many greatest offenders in terms of notifications. You get alerts for nearly the whole lot.

The excellent news is you’ll be able to fine-tune precisely what Maps notifies you about, whether or not it’s suggestions, instructions, or one thing else. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Notifications and begin toggling choices off or on. I see greater than 20 switches on my display, a few of which seem as a result of I’m a Native Information. For instance, I can obtain contribution alerts. I believe I will flip that off.

39. Share your real-time location

Maps allows you to share your dwell location with mates or household in only a few faucets. Anybody you share with can see your real-time location on a map, alongside along with your motion and battery degree, till the sharing ends. Go to Profile icon > Location sharing, then select Share location or New share. Then, set how lengthy you wish to share, corresponding to one hour or till you flip it off.

Additionally: Learn how to share your location on Android shortly – through textual content or Google Maps

40. Use Road View to time journey

You may view previous Google Road View pictures of a spot immediately in Maps to see the way it has modified over time.

I’ve a separate information that walks by means of how, however the TL;DR is: open Google Maps, seek for an tackle, then faucet the Road View preview to enter street-level view. As soon as in Road View, search for the See extra dates choice on the backside of the display and faucet it to open a timeline of previous imagery. Choose a month and 12 months to see how the situation regarded when Google’s Road View automobiles captured it.

41. Strive Lens with Gemini

Final however not least, Google Maps now integrates Gemini.

Additionally: You may chat with Google Maps now, due to this massive AI improve – the way it works

Obtainable by means of the digicam icon within the search bar, also called Lens with Gemini, this function allows you to get details about your environment. Faucet the digicam icon, level your cellphone at a constructing, landmark, or space, and ask a query about what you’re seeing. Gemini analyzes the dwell digicam view and returns AI-powered summaries in regards to the scene in entrance of you.