Google Maps boasts more than 1 billion active users today, making it the most popular navigation software in the world. It gets millions of us where we need to go every day. It’s easy to miss new features or hidden options. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide on how to use Google Maps. It’s time to take your first step on the road to mastery with our Google Maps tips and tricks.
How to Save your Home and Work Addresses
One of the first things you should do with Google Maps is to save your home and work addresses. To do this, open up Google Maps, tap the menu button — represented by the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner — and tap Your places. You’ll see entries for Home and Work. Put your addresses in. You can now ask Google Maps to navigate to Home or Work instead of having to enter the address. You can also enter searches like “restaurants near work,” and get a list of viable suggestions.
How to Get Directions Quickly
Most of us are familiar with the Google Maps Navigation feature that offers voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions. but You can search for a place or touch it on the map, then touch and hold the blue Directions button at the bottom right, and Google Maps will choose the best route and launch straight into Navigation mode.
How to check Bus and Train Timetable
You can also use Google Maps to check up on bus and train times to any location. Simply enter the location you want to travel to in the search bar, tap on Directions and tap on the icon of the train at the top. You’ll see a list of options based on the current time.
If you want to check when a later train is available or see when the last train leaves, then tap where it says Depart at and enter a specific time, or you can tap on Last to find your latest option. You can also filter the results by type of transport (bus, train, underground), and set preferences in terms of fewer transfers or less walking via Options in the top-right corner.
How to use Voice Commands in Navigation
There are various voice commands that you can use while you’re in Navigation mode in Google Maps. You just have to tap the microphone icon at the top right and then speak your command.now say “OK, Google” or “Hey, Google” if you have Google Assistant set up. then turn off the voice by saying “Mute,” or “Be quiet.” You can also “Show traffic,” ask it to “Show alternate routes,” or say “Next turn” to find out what your next turn is. Many options have multiple triggers and there are lots of possibilities, but you can browse Google’s full list of voice commands for a detailed summary of the various commands.
How to Check Traffic on Google Maps
traffic analysis is built-in to Google Maps and it can help you find the best route and avoid jams. If you tap the three vertical dots at the top right on your directions screen and tick the box next to All traffic, you’ll see traffic overlaid in color on the map. Red spots are to be avoided, orange is a bit congested, and green is for go. You can also check traffic when you’re just browsing around.