11 Clever Google Maps Settings Everyone Should Be Using

11 Clever Google Maps Settings Everyone Should Be Using

Every time you head out to a new location, there’s a good chance you instinctively pull up Google Maps to help guide you there — there’s no better tool out there for navigation and traffic updates. But even if you use it practically every day, there’s a good chance you haven’t made the most of some of its better features.

The service has a lot of useful (but buried) tools — and it’s time you check them out.

Google Maps features you should be using

The Google Maps air quality feature

google maps
Image supplied, Google

In 2022, Google announced it had introduced a new Air Quality feature to its Maps and Search services.

Available on both Android and iOS devices, the new feature will show you the Air Quality Index (AQI) or AQC (Air Quality Categories), which are measures of how healthy (or unhealthy) the air is.

Google explains that:

To add the air quality layer to your map, simply tap on the layers button in the top right corner of your screen, then select Air Quality under Map details.

Data on air quality is provided by government agencies across Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory – allowing Aussies to be better prepared for the conditions awaiting them outside.

Review your navigation settings

Route options in Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Route options in Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

Far too many people have ended up stranded or delayed because a crucial navigation setting had changed. For example, you may have asked Google Maps to avoid toll roads during a journey and forgotten about it. On your next trip, Google Maps will remember the setting and could take you through longer or less safe routes (depending on where you are located).

Before you start your journey, tap the profile icon in Google Maps and go to Settings > Navigation. Under Route options, make sure the correct options are selected. You definitely don’t want to be avoiding highways or tolls under most circumstances, so it’s best to periodically check these settings.

Incognito mode

Enable incognito mode in Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Enable incognito mode in Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

By default, Google Maps will keep logging your searches and location data unless you ask it not to. Using incognito mode is a quick way to stop some of the tracking in Google Maps. Tap the profile icon and select Turn on incognito mode.

Pause Google Maps location history

Pause location history on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Pause location history on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

If you’d rather not allow Google Maps to keep a tab on your location history, tap the profile icon and then hit Your data in Maps. Under Location History, tap On. This will take you to the Activity Controls page of your Google account.

Flip the blue switch next to Location History and select Pause to stop Google from logging your Google Maps locations. You can also tap Manage activity to review all previously saved locations and remove them. Alternatively, you can keep location history enabled and tap Auto-delete to make Google delete this data once it’s three months old.

Download Google Maps for offline use

Download Google Maps data for offline use. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Download Google Maps data for offline use. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

While most of us live in places with fairly decent internet connectivity, our travels can take us to remote places with less robust infrastructure. If you’re planning this kind of a trip, be sure to download maps for offline use. They won’t have the accurate, up-to-date traffic data you’re used to, but it still beats being lost in a place with no cellular reception.

To download maps, tap the profile icon in Google Maps and then select Offline maps. Next, tap Set your own map and you’ll see a zoomed out map of the place you’re in. All you need to do is move the blue rectangle over the area you intend to visit and then tap Download. Before downloading, Google Maps tells you how much space downloaded maps will occupy on your smartphone. You can use offline maps for up to 30 days from the date of download.

Plot routes with multiple stops

Add a stop or two to your planned route on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Add a stop or two to your planned route on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

Since you are planning trips using Google Maps, you should try simulating the journey by adding planned stops to the route. Usually Google Maps shows the fastest possible route between two places, but if you plan to visit a few other spots along the way, adding it to the route will help you get a more realistic ETA.

You can open Google Maps and plot a route first. Once you’ve done that, tap the three-dots icon in the top-right and select Add Stop. This will allow you to add another location, and you can drag the three horizontal lines icon next to each stop to move it before or after the destination.

Set a Google Maps reminder to leave

Set a reminder on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Set a reminder on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

Google Maps can also send you a notification around the time you should leave to reach your destination on time. Enter the place you’re leaving from and the place you’re going to in Google Maps, then tap the three-dots icon in the top-right and select Set a reminder to leave. You can select when you want to leave in the Depart at tab, and hit Finished. Maps will then send you a notification at the time you chose.

Alternatively, you can go to the Arrive by tab and select when you’d like to reach your destination. Google Maps will figure out the right departure time for you to make it to your destination on time, and send a reminder accordingly.

Change vehicle icon

You can change the vehicle icon on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
You can change the vehicle icon on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

While you’re on one of these awesome road trips, you can quickly add a small — but fun — element to Google Maps. The default vehicle icon is a blue arrow and if you tap that arrow, you will see other vehicle icons too. Pick the one you like and you’re set.

Customise public transit options

Public transport route options on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Public transport route options on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

When you enter a destination on Google Maps, you’ll also see a tiny little train icon below it. Tapping this will allow you to check public transport timings and available routes for your journey. This is pretty accurate in many places, but the secret sauce here is the customizability of this route option. You’ll see these if you tap the Options button that appears when you select public transport.

Here you can select extremely useful options such as Wheelchair accessible and Lowest cost, apart from preferred modes of public transport.

Share your location in real-time

Real-time location sharing on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Real-time location sharing on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

Google Maps also allows you to share your location with others in real time. This may sound a bit creepy, but can be a useful safety feature. If you are feeling unsafe, you can allow close friends or family members to monitor your location for some time. This feature is also helpful when you’re heading to a friend’s home and they want to see how far out you are.

To use this feature, tap the profile icon in Google Maps and hit Location sharing. When you want to begin sharing, tap Share location and then tap For 1 hour to customise how long you want to share you location. Finally, you can select one of your contacts from the list or tap More options to send a link containing your realtime location using other apps.

Learn more about local businesses

Check more information about your local business on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)
Check more information about your local business on Google Maps. (Photo: Pranay Parab)

If you’re unsure if a local business has the amenities you need, you can look for the business in Google Maps, swipe right below the business name, and then tap the About tab.

This lists a lot of useful information, such as whether the lot is wheelchair accessible, if the bathrooms are gender-neutral, or if the business is minority-owned.

This article has been updated since its original publish date.

Lead Image Credit: iStock


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