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Key takeaways
- Google Maps has dozens of settings that unlock hidden features.
- They improve navigation, battery life, accessibility, privacy, and more.
- Here are the top tips and tricks I believe make Maps far more useful.
I open Google Maps almost every day to get from point A to point B, find a restaurant, or check traffic before even leaving the house.
But that approach barely scratches the surface of what the service can do. After writing about Google Maps for nearly 15 years, I've learned firsthand that it's packed with hidden settings, menus, and toggles. Many help you fine-tune the app to your liking, while others unlock new features you probably didn't know existed.
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Below is my master list of Google Maps settings, tips, and tricks every power user should know. I've focused on Google Maps for iOS and Android, specifically, but many of the suggestions do work on the web version as well.
1. Keep the map facing north
Let's start with a common annoyance: the map not auto-rotating as you move, making it hard to orient yourself. If you prefer to keep the map facing north, go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and turn on Keep map north up.
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2. Avoid tolls, highways, or ferries
If you prefer to steer clear of tolls, highways, or ferries, whether to save time and money or take the scenic route, you can tell Google Maps to avoid them by default. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and toggle on Avoid tolls, Avoid highways, or Avoid ferries.
3. Use fuel-efficient routes
Who doesn't want to save gas on a trip? If you want to travel as efficiently as possible, tell Google Maps to suggest fuel-efficient routes by default, especially if arrival times are similar. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and turn on Prefer fuel-efficient routes.
4. Tell Google Maps your vehicle type
Directly below the Prefer fuel-efficient routes option (Profile icon > Settings > Navigation), you will see a setting to add your vehicle. Tap it to set an engine type (gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric) for more personalized results and route recommendations. For example, if you drive an electric vehicle, Google Maps can factor in your battery needs when suggesting routes and stops.
5. Specify your EV model and charging plug
I'm not done with electric vehicle features just yet. As mentioned earlier, Google Maps can prioritize EV charging stations, but it can also tailor results to your exact car and charging setup. In Profile icon > Settings > Your vehicles, if you have selected Electric as your engine type, you can enter your vehicle's make, model, year, trim, and plug or adapter details. Google Maps will then filter charging stations specifically for your vehicle.
6. Add multiple stops to a route
I often make stops or run errands during a trip, so I try to add them to my Maps route not only for navigation help but to get a more accurate estimated time of arrival. When creating a route, tap the three-dot menu next to your starting point, select Edit stops, and add as many stops as you need. Press and hold the three-line handle on stops to reorder, or tap X to remove one.
7. Set a departure time
This one is crucial if you want an accurate estimated time of arrival.
Traffic varies by time of day, so checking a route during rush hour can skew your travel time if you plan to leave earlier or later. For example, if you look up a drive to Montreal at 4 p.m. but plan to leave in the middle of the night, your estimate will be off. Instead, set a departure time. From the route screen, tap the three-dot menu next to your starting point and select Set a departure time.
8. Set a reminder to leave
Need to get somewhere by a certain time? Instead of setting an alarm, you can ask Maps to remind you. From the route screen, tap the three-dot menu next to your starting point and select Set a reminder to leave. You can choose a leave-by and arrive-by time, and Google Maps will factor in live traffic to notify you when it's time to go. No other alarm or app required.
9. Turn on Glanceable Directions
You can keep turn-by-turn directions visible on your lock screen without unlocking your phone. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and enable Glanceable directions while navigating. This feature is useful when your phone times out during navigation to save battery, or when you lock the screen to prevent distractions or accidental taps, but you still want to glance at upcoming turns.
10. Use voice directions
Sometimes it is easier to say where you need to go rather than type it out, such as when your hands are full while walking, or you are driving in heavy traffic and can't safely look at your screen. In those cases, tap the microphone icon in the Google Maps search bar and say your destination. You can ask to find gas, reroute, or search for places, including your home, without touching the keyboard.
Note: You can change your language at any time by going to Profile icon > Settings > Apps and display > Voice search.
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If you're not able to tap the microphone icon for whatever reason, you can always say "OK Google" and then speak your destination. To use this completely hands-free feature, first enable Access your Assistant with OK Google in Profile icon > Settings > Navigation.
11. Enable power-saving mode
Google Maps can be a lifesaver, but it can also be a battery vampire.
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If you need the app to calm down and leave you some juice to get through the rest of your day, go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation > Driving options and turn on Power saving mode. This is only available when driving, but it gives you a simple, low-power map on your lock screen with key information in-display, like next turns. According to Google, this change can significantly extend your battery.
Unfortunately, Power saving mode is currently limited to Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold devices. Like many Pixel-exclusive features, it may eventually roll out to other Android and iOS users.
12. Show the speedometer and speed limits
I really love these two features. How often are you driving somewhere new and realize you have not seen a speed limit sign in a while? It happens to me all the time. Google Maps solves this by showing the current speed limit and a built-in speedometer to help avoid accidental speeding. Just go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation, and enable Speed limit and Speedometer.
13. Turn off voice over Bluetooth
Hate when Google Maps interrupts the music playing through your car's audio system? Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation, and turn off Play voice over Bluetooth. This step forces voice guidance through your phone speaker instead of your car's audio system.
14. Make voice guidance louder
If you turned off Bluetooth voice playback but now find you're having trouble hearing directions through your phone's speaker, you can increase the volume in Google Maps itself. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation > Guidance volume and select Louder.
15. Get detailed audio cues while walking
Google Maps can provide more frequent and detailed audio guidance while walking, including landmark-based cues to help you stay oriented. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation and enable Detailed voice guidance.
16. Use Live View for AR directions
This is another useful walking feature. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Navigation, and enable Live View.
Now, while you are on foot and following directions in walking mode, tap the "Live View" button. It uses your phone's camera and GPS to overlay arrows and directions onto the real world, which is especially helpful in cities when it is hard to tell which street or direction to take. Live View even works indoors in some supported malls, airports, and transit hubs.
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Note: You can also tilt your phone to enter Live View automatically, if enabled under Profile icon > Settings > Navigation.
17. Find accessible places
Need wheelchair-friendly entrances, restrooms, or parking? Maps can show accessible places and features directly on the map. Go to Profile icon > Settings > Apps and display and enable Emphasize accessibility info.
18. Use wheelchair accessible transit routes
Google Maps can prioritize elevators over stairs and avoid inaccessible transfers when possible. When creating a route, select the walking option, tap Options (the filter icon), and choose Wheelchair accessible routes. You can also enable this from your starting location by tapping the three-dot menu, selecting Options, and choosing Wheelchair accessible routes.
19. Choose a preferred public transit mode
When creating a route with public transit, you may have several travel modes available, depending on your location. Use the Modes dropdown or tap Options (the filter icon) to choose from Subway, Train, Tram, or Bus. Maps will then prioritize your selected modes when calculating the route.
20. Change your vehicle avatar
Did you know you can change the blue arrow that represents you while navigating? Just switch it to a different icon or color. For example, I drive a black Mini and was able to select a vehicle avatar that looks very close to one.
Go to Profile icon > Settings > Your vehicles > Driving avatar. From there, you can pick one of several vehicle options, each with multiple colors, or change the arrow color to make your position easier to spot at a glance.
21. Change to dark mode (night mode)
Google Maps lets you choose a Day or Night color scheme, or switch automatically based on the time of day. You can find this setting under Profile icon > Settings > Navigation. Tap Color scheme and select your preference. This controls whether Maps uses a darker view during navigation, which can be easier on the eyes if you are sensitive to a bright screen at night.
22. Check traffic
No matter where you are, you can check traffic for your route or current area. On the map, tap the Layers icon (the stacked squares) in the top right and select Traffic. Roads are color-coded: green for fast-moving traffic, orange for moderate traffic, and red or dark red for heavy congestion. You can also view typical future traffic by using Directions and setting a future departure time.
23. Check parking
One of the things that stresses me out about traveling or going to an event is parking. Where do I park? Is there parking nearby? How much will it cost? It is so anxiety-inducing. But Google Maps can help. To use it to find parking, search for your destination. Once the map centers on it, select the Parking option, usually shown in the suggestions or under the More filter.
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If you see the "Ask" button appear, you can also ask Gemini about parking. Either way, the feature will show nearby garages and lots, along with their websites, phone numbers, and basic listing information, which can be useful for worrywarts like myself.
24. Save your parking location manually
The next thing I hate about parking is remembering where I parked my car.
I try to look at sig...