Earlier this year Google announced Live View, an augmented reality version of walking directions for Google Maps that allows you to see directions overlayed the world around you. So rather than trying to decide “Is it asking me to go down this street or the other one?” you’ll see an arrow literally on that street you’re trying to go down.
The feature has been in alpha testing for a while with Local Guides and Pixel users and now Google is rolling the feature out to everyone with a phone that supports ARCore or ARKit.
We did a pretty in-depth rundown on the feature back when it was announced at Google I/O.
To access it you’ll just load Maps how you typically do, type in your destination, and tap on the blue Directions icon. If the feature is available for you now then you’ll see a “Start AR” icon, press that to start AR directions.
Image: David Murphy
It’s a pretty cool feature, although admittedly not one I can see myself using a ton. Regular maps can definitely get you where you’re going. Still, for those “which one of these super-close-together streets am I supposed to pick” moments, it’s a great option to have.
Image: David Murphy
In order to use the feature, you’ll need to have an ARCore or ARKit-enabled phone and the latest version of Google Maps. If you don’t see the option now, verify your phone is compatible and you have the latest version of the app.
If the feature is still MIA, check back in a few days and see if that rollout has made its way to you.
Manufacturer Model Notes
iPhone iPhone XR
iPhone XS and XS Max
iPhone X
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
iPhone 6S and 6S Plus
iPhone SE
iPad iPad Air 3rd Generation
iPad mini 5th Generation
12.9-in. iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation)
11-in. iPad Pro
10.5-in. iPad Pro
9.7-in. iPad Pro
iPad (6th Generation)
iPad (5th Generation)
Acer Chromebook Tab 10 Requires ChromeOS stable builds 69 or later.
Asus ROG Phone
Zenfone 6
Zenfone AR
Zenfone ARES
General Mobile GM 9 Plus
Google Nexus 5X Requires Android 8.0 or later.
Nexus 6P Requires Android 8.0 or later.
Pixel, Pixel XL
Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL Supports 60 fps camera capture frame rate on the rear-facing camera
Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL Supports 60 fps camera capture frame rate on the rear-facing camera
Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL
HMD Global Nokia 6 (2018) Also known as Nokia 6.1
Nokia 6.1 Plus
Nokia 7 Plus
Nokia 7.1
Nokia 8 Requires Android 8.0 or later.
Nokia 8 Sirocco
Nokia 8.1
Huawei Honor 8X, Honor 10
Honor View 10 Lite
Honor V20
Mate 20 Lite, Mate 20, Mate 20 Pro, Mate 20 X
Nova 3, Nova 3i
Nova 4
P20, P20 Pro
P30, P30 Pro
Porsche Design Mate RS,
Porsche Design Mate 20 RS
Y9 2019
Infinix Mobile Note 6
LG G6 Requires Android 8.0 or later.
G7 Fit, G7 One, G7 ThinQ ARCore uses the wide angle fixed focus rear camera for AR tracking.
G8 ThinQ ARCore uses the wide angle fixed focus rear camera for AR tracking.
Q6
Q8
V30, V30+, V30+ JOJO,
LG Signature Edition 2017 Requires Android 8.0 or later
ARCore uses the wide angle fixed focus rear camera for AR tracking.
V35 ThinQ,
LG Signature Edition 2018 ARCore uses the wide angle fixed focus rear camera for AR tracking.
V40 ThinQ
V50 ThinQ ARCore uses the wide angle fixed focus rear camera for AR tracking.
Motorola Moto G5S Plus
Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus
Moto G7, Moto G7 Plus, Moto G7 Power, Moto G7 Play
Moto One, Moto One Power
Moto X4 Requires Android 8.0 or later.
Moto Z2 Force Requires Android 8.0 or later.
Moto Z3, Moto Z3 Play
OnePlus OnePlus 3T Requires Android 8.0 or later.
OnePlus 5, OnePlus 5T
OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T
OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
Oppo R17 Pro
Reno 10x Zoom
RealMe X Lite
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) Requires Android 8.0 or later.
Galaxy A5 (2017)
Galaxy A6 (2018)
Galaxy A7 (2017)
Galaxy A8, Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Galaxy A30, Galaxy A40, Galaxy A50, Galaxy A60, Galaxy A70, Galaxy A80
Galaxy J5 (2017), Galaxy J5 Pro SM-J530 models
Galaxy J7 (2017), Galaxy J7 Pro SM-J730 models
Galaxy Note8
Galaxy Note9
Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge
Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+
Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+
Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 5G
Galaxy Tab S3, Galaxy Tab S4, Galaxy Tab S5e
Sharp AQUOS R3
Sony Xperia XZ Premium Requires Android 8.0 or later.
Xperia XZ1, Xperia XZ1 Compact Requires Android 8.0 or later.
Xperia XZ2, Xperia XZ2 Compact, Xperia XZ2 Premium Requires Android 8.0 or later with software update after Aug 2018 (security patch level 2018-08-05 or later).
Xperia XZ3
Xperia 1
Vivo NEX S
NEX Dual Display Edition
Tecno Phantom 9
Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi 8 SE
Mi 9, Mi 9 SE
Mi Mix 2S
Mi Mix 3
Pocophone F1
Zebra TC52 WLAN Touch Computer
TC57 WWAN Touch Computer
TC72 WLAN Touch Computer
TC77 WWAN Touch Computer