14 handy hidden tricks for Google Maps on Android

Who doesn’t love Google Maps? The Maps Android app helps those of us with oatmeal for brains find our way anywhere, without having to fire any neurons or exercise any synapses. It even helps us find places to pick up tasty cuisine — like, uh, oatmeal (yum!).

But there’s much more to Google Maps than meets the eye — and odds are, you aren’t taking advantage of at least a few handy hidden features lurking within the Maps Android app. With Android 16 now right around the corner and more shiny new Googley goodies showing up left and right lately, I thought it’d be a fine time to dive deep into this ever-evolving Android anchor and think through some of its more off-the-beaten-path advanced options.

Take a few minutes to explore these possibilities the next time you’ve got Maps pulled up on your phone, and get ready to experience the world around you in a whole new way.

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Google Maps Android trick #1: Better directions

The most important part of Maps is navigation — right? And yet, the Maps Android app’s best navigation experience is curiously tucked away in a labyrinth of options and disabled by default. In fact, most average roaming land mammals would never even know the superior route exists!

But hey, you’re reading this column. You clearly aren’t an average organism. So let’s take your Maps adventuring to the next level, shall we?

Start by opening up the Maps app on your phone, then:

Tap your profile picture in the app’s upper-right corner.

Select “Settings,” then scroll way down and select “Navigation.”

Scroll down again until you see the section labeled “Glanceable directions while navigating,” and flip the toggle within that section into the on and active position.

One quick switch, and boom: The next time you search for a specific location, you’ll see the detailed steps and ETA info right on the route overview — from the second you hit the “Directions” button.

Google Maps’ glanceable directions options makes it infinitely easier to see where you’re going — at a glance.
JR Raphael / IDG

Much better, wouldn’t ya say?!

Google Maps Android trick #2: Drive time IQ

While we’re thinking about smarter directions, make a mental note of this route to higher Maps enlightenment: You can find out how long any specific drive is likely to take at any specific time with the help of Maps’ intelligent traffic estimation tool.

Just search for a location in the Android Maps app, then tap the Directions button and put in whatever starting point you want.

Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner of the same box where you typed the address, then select “Set depart or arrive time.” You can then specify exactly when you want to leave or when you want to arrive — with a specific day and time — and Maps will show you the likely traffic conditions and estimated travel time for that exact moment, based on mountains of historical data.

Google Maps Android trick #3: Faster paths

Here’s an interesting one that I only learned about recently by way of some chatter in my Intelligence Insider Community: By default, Maps now gives you directions based on the most fuel-efficient path to your destination.

That’s great if you’re trying to save on gas, but when you’re really in a hurry, you may just want the absolute fastest path possible — even if it potentially costs you a few extra pennies.

If so, do this:

Speed your way back into the Maps Android app’s settings and again head into the “Navigation” area.

Scroll down to the “Route options” section of the screen.

See the line labeled “Prefer fuel-efficient routes”? Tap the toggle next to it to turn it off.

And if you would rather stick with the fuel-efficient path, there’s still an option in that area you’ll want to adjust:

Within the “Navigation” area of the Maps app’s settings, tap the line labeled “Your vehicles.”

Select the type of car you’re actually using — gas, diesel, electric, or hybrid.

That’ll help Maps better select routes based on actual fuel (or energy) use for your specific vehicle type, if that’s the navigation approach you’d prefer.

Google Maps Android trick #4: Car customization

Why stick with the boring ol’ blue dot to represent your location during a Maps navigation?

As of a very recent update, the Android Maps app now empowers you to pick your own custom icon to represent your vehicle as you’re driving — which can be both fun and practical, since it makes it a whole lot easier to spot yourself at a glance. A custom icon even carries over to a car’s display via Android Auto, too, so you’ll see it there once you select it.

Best of all? It’ll take you all of 20 seconds to do.

Google Maps Android trick #5: Advanced maneuvers

Speaking of making your way around maps, sometimes, it isn’t exactly practical — or maybe even possible — to use two fingers to pinch and zoom your way around an area.

So remember this useful alternative: In addition to the standard pinch-to-zoom system, the Android Maps app supports a secret gesture for zooming in or out of any map view. Just double-tap anywhere on an active map screen, then keep your finger down and slide it up to zoom out or down to zoom in. You can also just double-tap without the slide to zoom in a teensy bit at a time.

Beyond that, you can spin a map around to change your perspective by placing your index finger and thumb on the screen and then twisting ’em together to the left or right — and you can shift into a funky three-dimensional “flyover” view of any area you’re examining by placing two fingers on a map together and sliding ’em upward on the screen.

Google Maps Android trick #6: Smarter searching

I don’t know about you, but I tend to be a semi-obsessive planner. And part of that, erm, condition means a burning need to know, anticipate, and — well, y’know, plan things out ahead of time.

Maps has a splendid system for this sort of in-advance organization. The next time you’re looking at directions to a specific spot, try this:

From the directions screen within the Android Maps app — the first screen you see after tapping the Directions button for any given destination — tap the Start button to begin a navigation (even if you aren’t actually ready to roll quite yet!).

Once the navigation is active, swipe upward on the bar at the bottom of the screen, where you see your current travel time.

In the menu that pops up, select “Search along route.”

You can then type any term into the box that appears to seek out a specific place along the way or look for, say, restaurants, gas stations, or any other type of business imaginable.

Searching along a specific route is one of Maps’ most helpful hidden options.
JR Raphael / IDG

Google Maps Android trick #7: On-demand context

When you’re looking at a specific location within the Android Maps app — be it a restaurant or any other type of business — you can now lean on Google’s next-gen Gemini assistant to learn more about it on demand, without having to do any manual digging.

You’ll need to be using Gemini as your device’s default assistant in order for this to work. Provided that’s the case, pull up any location within Maps and then summon Gemini — either by pressing and holding your physical power button or using the Hey Google launch phrase.

See the new “Ask about place” option above its main prompt area?

Gemini integrates with the Android Maps app to offer on-demand info when summoned.JR Raphael, Foundry

Tap that — and then, you can simply ask anything you want to know about the place present on your screen. And Gemini will serve up answers.

You can ask all sorts of questions about locations and get instant info from Google’s Gemini assistant.JR Raphael, Foundry

Google Maps Android trick #8: Helpful hailing

The next time you need a lift somewhere — be it via the actual Lyft service, Uber, or some other ridesharing provider — save yourself some steps and order your ride directly from the familiar Maps interface.

Start by searching for a specific place and then tapping the Directions button, as if you were gonna make the trek on your own. Then, look for the icon with a person waving her hand in the air like she just don’t care (or, erm, like she’s hailing a cab). Your friendly waver should show up within the directions panel at the bottom of the screen, to the right of the biking guy. If you don’t see her right away, swipe horizontally along that line to reveal her.

The Android Maps app integrates with ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber, provided you have the associated apps installed.JR Raphael, Foundry

That’ll show you current prices and wait times for both Lyft and Uber, right then and there, and allow you to hop directly into the ride-ordering process within either app — assuming you have them installed. (If you aren’t seeing any of this, incidentally, you probably need to install a compatible rideshare app first so Maps will detect it and start showing the associated info.)

Google Maps Android trick #9: Location curation

One of the Android Maps app’s most underappreciated features is its ability to let you create collections of places and then revisit ’em or share ’em with other human person-people later. It’s like a super-specific sort of bookmarking service that’s all about locations and connected directly to your favorite navigation companion.

And it’s super-practical, too, whether you’re looking to get organized ahead of a Very Important Business Trip or even just to plan around a drive to a different part of town for some manner of work-related meeting.

To take advantage of the system, tap the You tab at the bottom of the Maps app, then look for the section labeled “Your lists.” Tap the “New list” command within that area of the screen, and you can then give your fancy new list a name and a description and decide whether you want it to be private, shared only with specific people, or public for anyone to find.

Location lists are a lovely way to save related places for future reference — for yourself or for a group.
JR Raphael / IDG

With shared lists, you can even opt to let other people edit and add their own items into the mix — an easy way to collaborate with colleagues, cousins, or chinchillas on a list of lustworthy lunch spots or business supply stop-bys.

Google Maps Android trick #10: Spot saving

Remember way back in the early days of Android when one of the most popular apps was a simple little tool called Car Locator? No? Well, I do — but then again, I’ve been writing about Android for approximately 973 years now. (Related: I may or may not be a wise, if somewhat shriveled, tortoise elder.)

These days, that app is long gone — but little-known fact: Maps itself can do exactly what it used to do and save any location you want, then help you mosey back to it later.

The next time your noggin needs a memory aide, just open up Maps and tap the blue dot that represents your current location. That’ll pull up a big honkin’ menu, within which you’ll see the incredibly useful “Save parking” option — inside a horizontally scrolling bar of buttons toward the top of the panel. (And don’t let yourself be fooled: While its official purpose may revolve around parking, you can just as easily use the feature to save any kind of location for any reason you want.)

Tap that option, and that’s it: Your current location will be burned into Maps’ memory. If you want to add extra info to help your own mushy mammal brain later, swipe up on the bar that says “Parking location” at the bottom of the screen. You can then enter notes about your saved location (what level you parked on, how many oatmeal-serving establishments were in the vicinity, and so on), attach photos (you making silly faces in front of various passersby, etc), and create an alert to remind you about the location after a certain amount of time has elapsed.

Saving your location may be the best way you put Maps to use, ever.
JR Raphael / IDG

When you’re ready to get back to your car — or whatever sort of spot you’ve saved — all you’ve gotta do is tap that same “Parking location” bar at the bottom of the Maps app or look for the “Parking location” notification from anywhere in your phone.

Google Maps Android trick #11: Shared perspective

Next up: Help someone find you — or maybe just give ’em an update on your whereabouts and progress — by tapping the blue location dot within the main Maps screen and then selecting “Share location” from the menu that comes up.

That’ll let you send anyone a link to follow your location in real-time on a map for a specific amount of time or until you turn the feature off. You can beam the link directly into another app or service on your phone to get it wherever you need. You can also even ask Maps to give you helpful notifications about someone’s whereabouts once they’ve opted into location sharing with you, if you want.

(And yes, this is the same underlying location sharing system now also available within Google’s Find My Device app — as well as the Google Contacts app for Android.)

Alternatively, if you’re in the midst of a navigation, swipe up on the time estimate panel at the bottom of the Maps navigation screen. There, you’ll find a handy hidden “Share trip progress” option that’ll do exactly what you desire.

Google Maps Android trick #12: Traffic tracking

Did you know Maps can show you live, real-time traffic info as you’re navigating with your phone? All you’ve gotta do is tell it you want that info — a feat that’ll require approximately seven seconds of your time.

The next time you’re in the midst of a navigation within the Maps app on your phone…

Swipe up on that time estimate panel at the bottom of the screen.

Flip the toggle next to “Show traffic on map.”

Perform a spritely little jig to celebrate whilst whistling the tune of Tom Cochrane’s timeless 1991 hit song “Life Is a Highway.” *

* Jig and whistling optional but highly recommended

Google Maps Android trick #13: Private perusing

On your way to a secret lair? Well, look at you, Bruce Wayne. Pin this bit of info to your amygdala: If you tap your profile picture in the Maps app and then select “Turn on Incognito mode,” Maps will temporarily stop saving your location and using it for any future purposes. And no one — not even Google — will know where you are.

Not to worry: Your secret’s safe with me.

Google Maps Android trick #14: Hands-free helping

Last but not least, you’d be forgiven for forgetting — or maybe not ever knowing — but Maps has its own custom set of voice commands that work whenever you’re in the midst of a navigation. All you’ve gotta do is say “Hey Google” or activate your assistant in whatever manner you prefer, and then shout out the command in question.

So buckle up — here are some of the more intriguing possibilities:

“How’s traffic ahead?”

“How’s traffic home?”

“Show the route overview.”

“Show an alternate route.”

“What’s my ETA?”

“What road is this?”

“What’s my next turn?”

“Navigate home.”

“Avoid tolls.”

“Avoid highways.”

“Find a gas station.”

“Take me to Best Buy.”

“Find a restaurant.”

“Find me somewhere that serves oatmeal, gosh darn it.”

That last one may or may not work, but hey — it’s always worth a shot.

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