6 helpful Google Maps options I take advantage of on a regular basis (and you must too)

Whereas there are a plethora of navigation apps, Google Maps stays probably the most broadly used choices. It comes pre-installed on most Android smartphones, gives an easy-to-use and acquainted interface, and works easily on Apple’s iPhones as properly.

Over the previous few months, Google has been rolling out a number of new features to Google Maps. Whereas I have not discovered each replace is beneficial, some new and current options have genuinely improved my every day commute and journey experiences. Listed below are a couple of Google Maps options that not everybody is aware of about however are genuinely useful and may show helpful for you, too.

6

Save your parking spot with only a single faucet

By no means fear about discovering your automotive once more

Has this ever occurred to you? You enter a multi-storey car parking zone, park your automotive, after which utterly neglect the place you parked, solely to wander round till you lastly bear in mind.

Sure, it occurs. Fortunately, Google Maps features a easy characteristic that permits you to save your car’s parking location simply. It is easy to make use of, and this is how:

1. Open Google Maps in your telephone after parking your automotive.
2. Faucet the blue dot that reveals your present location.
3. Choose Save parking from the menu.

Optionally, you may also add particulars like notes (for instance, “0 Degree, Pillar J11”) and even set a reminder to maneuver your automotive later if wanted.

5

Filter places with the “Open now” toggle

Good whenever you’re dashing or it is late

I am positive you’ve got been in a state of affairs the place you are touring to a brand new place, and the restaurant opening hours aren’t the identical as what you are used to. You discover a terrific spot to eat close by, solely to find it is closed. In such instances, the “Open now” filter on Google Maps has saved me extra occasions than I can depend, and it’d assist you to too.

This characteristic works whenever you seek for issues like “cafes” or “pharmacy.” As soon as the Google Maps outcomes present up, simply faucet the “Open now” filter. It’s going to slender down the checklist to solely present locations which can be open at that second, making it a lot simpler to decide on the place to go.

It is such a easy characteristic, but it surely’s a complete lifesaver whenever you’re in a rush or when locations are about to shut.

4

Discover locations that match your dietary wants

Best for vegetarians, vegans, and extra

Google Maps is definitely among the finest instruments to search out eating places and cafes. You may filter places by rankings, delicacies, accessibility, and extra. However one underrated Google Maps possibility is which you can additionally tweak Google Maps to routinely present solely these eating places and eateries round you that match your dietary preferences.

Which means should you’re vegan, vegetarian, or favor halal, gluten-free, or different choices, Google Maps can filter outcomes routinely. Here is set it up:

1. Within the Google Maps app, faucet your profile icon on the prime proper.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Choose Handle your preferences, then faucet Dietary preferences.
4. Now select from choices like alcohol-free, halal, kosher, vegan, and extra.

3

Add dwelling and work for faster route entry

No must sort them each single time

For those who use Google Maps to navigate to your office or dwelling daily, this characteristic is a should. Google Maps enables you to save your house and work addresses immediately within the app. That method, everytime you’re on the street and wish instructions, you possibly can merely faucet House or Work with out manually looking out.

To set your house and work places within the Maps app, comply with these steps:

1. In Google Maps, faucet your profile icon on the prime proper and go to Settings.
2. Choose Edit dwelling or work.
3. Select the one you need to set or edit, then both sort in or manually set the handle.

2

Customise public transit with good filters

Much less strolling, fewer transfers, lowest value? Your name.

Probably the greatest options of Google Maps is how simply it helps you get round utilizing public transport, even in a very new place. You needn’t obtain a separate transit app, since Google Maps can deal with it for you.

What many individuals miss, although, is that Maps additionally enables you to customise your public transport journey primarily based in your preferences. For instance, should you favor taking the metro over buses, you possibly can set that. Equally, should you’d moderately take the quickest route, even when it means altering strains extra usually, you are able to do that too.

For instance, I normally choose “Fewer transfers” as a result of I do not like switching strains, particularly when I’ve baggage. To set your preferences in Maps, comply with these steps:

1. Open Google Maps and enter your vacation spot.
2. Faucet the public transport tab.
3. Faucet the gear icon to open transport settings.
4. Select your preferences, reminiscent of fewer transfers or wheelchair entry, and Maps will regulate your route accordingly.

1

Ship instructions straight to your telephone

Cross-device sync is underrated

This is without doubt one of the most underrated options on Google Maps. Everytime you’re looking out or planning a visit itinerary in your laptop computer, you possibly can immediately ship the Google Maps itemizing to your telephone for fast entry.

Simply be sure to’re signed in to the identical Google account on each units. When you discover a route or location, you may see an choice to “Ship to telephone.” Faucet it, and you may immediately get a notification in your telephone that opens the situation or route immediately within the Maps app.

It is a good way to plan forward with out having to retype something later. I take advantage of this on a regular basis whereas journey planning or shopping locations throughout work.

All in all, Google Maps gives a variety of options that make each on a regular basis journey and journeys to new locations or nations a lot simpler. However these aren’t the one helpful instruments. There are many different options, reminiscent of offline maps and incident reporting, that make Google Maps much more useful for navigation.

OS

iOS, Android

Model

Google

Worth

Free

Google Maps is probably the most generally used navigational app for touring. The favored software helps drivers, commuters, walkers, and cyclists get to the place they’re going with options like scheduled departures, incident reporting, and slowdown warnings.