Top 11 Google Maps Tips and Tricks You Should Know

When it comes to exploring a new place or navigating from one city to another, Google Maps is perhaps one of the best navigation apps to do so. Available for both iOS, Android and web, this navigation app makes navigation easy and stress-free. However, to get the most out of Google Maps, whether you’re on your phone or on the web, it’s important to know everything about this app.

That’s why we made it our mission to list some essential Google Maps tips and tricks to help you get the most out of this app.

If it’s going to be a long post, let’s get started, shall we?

1. Add Your Music App

Road trips and music are the ultimate combinations. However, switching between the music app and Maps can be tricky unless you’re using the car’s built-in navigation system. The good news is that you can now control your music playback directly from Maps. When you control music and navigation from your smartphone, this feature will undoubtedly help you.

For now, Maps for Android supports Spotify and YouTube Music (among others), while iPhones support Apple Music and Spotify.

To add a music app to Maps, go to Settings > Navigation settings and select Default Media Provider (for Android) or Music Controls (for iPhone). Then select the app from the list according to your preference.

The next time you start the journey, the music controls will be available to you at the bottom.

Android users need to enable Driving Mode (Settings > Navigations > Google Assistant settings) to see the playback controls at the bottom.

2. Search and Navigate Under Radar

You may already know that Google Maps records most of your searches and places you visit. If allowed, the app also places these calls and trips on your timeline. However, if you want to get under the radar, it is Incognito mode that you should try.

This mode hides your location searches or shared location. The good thing is that it’s pretty easy to open.

If you don’t want to be searched on your timeline next time, tap the profile icon in the top right corner and select Turn on incognito mode.

After that, you can turn it off in the same way.

When browsing in incognito mode, you won’t see your Saved places and pinned locations.

3. See Indoor Maps of Museums and Monuments

Would you like to see the interior of Madrid Plaza Mayor via maps? Simple. Search for the place on maps on your phone and select Street View by tapping the Layer icon in the top right corner.

This will highlight the viewable areas in blue. Tap one of the many lines to ‘travel’ virtually.

The same option is also available in the web version.

4. Add Temporary Parking

One of the nifty features of Google Maps is the Add Parking feature. Using it, you can quickly record where you parked your car/bike. Once you have marked a parking spot, you can easily return there.

Besides saving your parking spot, you can also use this feature to temporarily save landmarks, especially when exploring a new place or city. In our case we used this feature to save the locations of cute little shops and cafes that are not on Google Maps to visit later in the day/evening.

To add a parking spot, tap the little Blue dot menu and hit Set as parking.

5. Add Custom Tags and Shortcuts

Maps has long had the option to add your Home and Work locations. Once added, you can easily navigate to these places with a single tap. Now the iOS and Android apps for Google Maps allow you to add custom labels for quick navigation. These tags can be from one of the restaurants you usually visit or your friend’s place.

To add them, tap the search box in your mobile app and tap More. Next, tap the little Plus button in the bottom right corner.

Next, search for the place and then press the OK button to add the place.

Once added, you’ll find these tags next to Work and Home. Is not it beautiful?

6 Create Custom Maps

Did you know that Google Maps for the web lets you create custom maps? Using it you can add your locations, routes, shapes and hiking trails. For example, if you are planning an itinerary, you can use custom maps to mark places for your visit. The best part is that you can keep these maps private.

While this option is available for Android, the web version is much easier to use. However, you may find it a bit complicated at first.

After creating the map, it will be found under Your Places > Maps.

Maps for iOS does not support this feature.

7. Voice Search

If you don’t want to take your eyes off the road while driving, you can use Google Assistant’s voice search feature to ask for location, directions and other details.

Android users can say ‘OK, Google’ followed by the command. On the other hand, iOS users will need to enable this setting. One of the downsides for iPhone users is that you can’t use Siri for voice commands while navigating.

To do this go to Settings > Navigation and enable the ‘Access your Assistant…’ option as shown above.

8. Check Road Height

Did you know that Google Maps also lets you see road elevations? This helps you plan your runs and walks, especially if you’re new to an area.

To do this, search for the place in Maps and switch to walking mode. The altitude will be displayed next to the time and distance. Now, tap on it to see the full height detail.

9. Control the Crowd

It’s 2021 and the world is still in the clutches of the COVID-19 pandemic. At times like these, you’ll want to avoid very crowded places. If you are unsure of a public place, you can check when the place is most crowded to plan your visits accordingly.

Search for the place on your phone and swipe up on the details card. Scroll down until you see the Popular Timings section.

Here you will see a graph showing the crowdedness of the place and you can plan your visit accordingly.

10. Pin Your Favorite Places

Did you know that Maps lets you pin some of your favorite places and trips? If you’re driving to your favorite Taco place almost every Friday, you can check the traffic details or the shortest route before you pedal.

If you search for the place quite often, it will most likely appear under the Go tab. Once you find it, all you have to do is tap the Pin icon.

Next time you need to see traffic, go to the Go tab and tap on pinned locations to start your journey. Simple, see. And hey, you can pin several places at once.

Just by chance, if you don’t see the place/location under the Go tab, you may need to add the place to your list of saved tags (see #6).

This feature is available on both iOS and Android.

11. View Your Data and Automatically Delete Location History

As mentioned earlier, Google saves most of your searches and navigation. This helps you customize your Maps experience as the app tailors the recommendations to your taste. You can also use this feature to revisit places you have visited in the past.

However, if you are uncomfortable with that, you can disable location history. On your iPhone or Android phone, tap your profile in the upper-right corner and select Your data in Maps.

You’ll see all the data Maps has saved, including recent searches and reviews. To clear your location history, tap Location History and choose an auto-delete option.

For now, the app gives you three options: 3 months, 18 months or 36 months.

Smart Route

Perhaps two of the most important features of Google Maps are adding multiple stops or searching for gas and restaurants on the way. The best part is that most of them are available on both iOS and Android.

So, which of these Google Maps features do you use the most?