10 Google Maps Life Hacks Every User Should Know

Google Maps is the only navigation service I use, and over the years I’ve mastered its many features. The default settings are fine for most users, but it’s worth exploring all its capabilities to ensure you’re getting exactly what you need. For example, the ability to avoid toll roads may be very useful in your area, but if you’re driving in another state or country, the same feature could cause serious problems. These tips will help you get the most out of Google Maps’ many features and reduce the likelihood of getting lost while using the app.

Double check your route settings before leaving.

Even if you ignore everything else in this article, don’t ignore this. I’ve noticed that Google Maps sometimes automatically includes route options I haven’t selected, which can lead to some frustrating situations. When I’m going on a long trip to unfamiliar places, I like to double-check my route settings before heading out. To do this, tap the profile icon in the upper-right corner of the Google Maps app and go to Settings > Navigation > Route Options . There are four options here: “Avoid toll roads,” “Avoid highways,” “Avoid ferries,” and “Prefer low-cost routes.” I prefer to turn all of these options off to ensure I get to my destination quickly and efficiently.

If you’re in a familiar area, you can enable some of these options to find a cheaper route or one with less traffic. But in unfamiliar territory, I prefer to proceed with caution.

Use offline maps to your advantage.

I often find myself in places with poor or no cell service, and Google Maps’ offline mode is a lifesaver in those situations. It allows me to download Google Maps data for specific locations, and I set the app to automatically download and update this data whenever new information becomes available. This makes navigation much easier when the internet connection is down.

This is easily done by finding a destination on Google Maps and swiping left on the controls that appear below its name. Tap More > Download Offline Map > Download to save it for offline use. To automatically update offline maps, go to Google Maps settings and select Offline . Now tap the gear icon in the upper-right corner and select Automatically update offline maps .

Select the correct vehicle type.

Google Maps displays higher-quality search results and improves fuel-efficient route recommendations if you select the correct vehicle type. Go to Google Maps settings and select ” Your vehicles.” Select the correct engine type for your vehicle to get better recommendations. If you drive an electric vehicle, you can also use this page to set the type of charger you use. This will help Google Maps direct you to compatible EV charging stations when you’re out and about.

Connect your music streaming account to Google Maps.

If you frequently stream music while driving, consider connecting your streaming accounts to Google Maps, which supports both Apple Music and Spotify. Once your navigation app is connected to either service, you’ll be able to control music playback and select playlists from your library without leaving the Google Maps app. I don’t recommend looking at your phone while driving, but you can use this feature to control playback or quickly change songs while the car is stationary. It’s much faster than switching to a different app to change music.

Some of you might prefer to use voice assistants for this, but on my iPhone in particular, I wasn’t very good at changing music using Siri. So, I connected my streaming accounts to Google Maps.

Get Google Maps accessibility information.

Google Maps can highlight accessibility information for people with disabilities. This can be incredibly helpful if you’re traveling with someone with mobility issues or disabilities. I never really thought about these features until I started traveling with my elderly parents, who can no longer climb stairs or stand for long periods of time. So, I went into Google Maps’ settings, went to “App & Display,” and turned on “Highlight accessibility information.” This feature clearly shows whether your destination has accessible entrances, seating, reserved parking, restrooms (and whether they’re accessible), and more.

Please note that this information isn’t always accurate, so if accessibility is a priority for you, I still recommend calling ahead to confirm the availability and functionality of accessible facilities at your destination. Similarly, when using walking directions, try clicking the “Options” button next to the “Share” icon. This will open the “Trip Options” page, where you can select “Wheelchair Accessible” to avoid routes with stairs and select routes with elevators.

Improve your orientation while walking.

I often use Google Maps while walking, and I have a few tips to help you navigate more easily. The first tip is to use Google Maps while wearing your Apple Watch or Android smartwatch, if you have one. Google Maps vibrates on your watch when you need to go in a certain direction, and you can quickly glance at your watch to see where you’re going. This eliminates the need to constantly look at your phone for directions. This approach worked great during a recent rainy trip to Singapore, when it wasn’t always possible to look at your phone while holding a water bottle and umbrella.

You can also use Live View mode for even more detailed walking directions . It uses your phone’s camera to identify stores, signs, and other points of interest near you. It then shows you the route in real time, like a video walkthrough leading you to your destination. This makes it a great tool for indoor navigation, such as in airports or shopping malls.

Hide your Google Maps profile

When you leave reviews of properties on Google Maps or make other changes, other users can see your profile, including all your ratings, reviews, photos, and other content. If you don’t want this information visible, you can make your profile private on Google Maps. To do this, go to Google Maps Settings > Location & Privacy > Profile and enable “Restricted Profile.”

Delete your Google Maps history and timeline data.

Google Maps also tracks all the places you’ve visited , and not everyone is willing to store this data on Google’s servers. It’s worth noting that this information is sometimes genuinely useful. A friend of mine once got a speeding ticket from another state, and he was able to use data from his Google Maps timeline to prove to law enforcement that he wasn’t actually in that state at the time.

However, you can better protect your privacy by not storing this information initially. To do this, go to Google Maps Settings > Location & Privacy . Review all the options under “Timeline” to choose the one that best suits your preferences. I disabled “Timeline” entirely and selected “Delete all timeline data,” but your needs may vary, so you can choose to delete a specific range of timeline data or automatically delete it after a certain period of time.

To delete your search history from Google Maps, scroll down and select Maps History .

Use Incognito Mode in Google Maps

If completely deleting Google Maps data isn’t ideal, try Incognito Mode. It works just like in web browsers, meaning your Google Maps data won’t be saved while you’re in this mode. You can enable it by clicking your profile icon in Google Maps and selecting “Enable Incognito Mode.” You can check if it’s enabled by checking your profile icon, where your profile picture will be replaced with the Incognito Mode icon.

Save your favorite places in lists.

If you have trouble remembering all the places you want to visit, you can quickly save your favorite routes in Google Maps and add them to various lists. For example, if you’re planning a trip to Florida and want to save all the places you’ve heard about in one place, you can search for each one individually in Google Maps and click the “Save” button on the list. This will save the destination to a new list, where you can keep track of all the places you want to visit. You can also share these lists with others, so anyone can add their favorite places to your list. I used this feature during my trip to London last year, when I bookmarked restaurants that served authentic dishes from around the world. This allowed me to try food I’d never tried before and helped me better organize my day to include visits to several museums or other attractions during my mealtimes.

More…