6 helpful Google Maps options I exploit on a regular basis (and it’s best to too)

Whereas there are a plethora of navigation apps, Google Maps stays one of the vital extensively 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 nicely.

Over the previous few months, Google has been rolling out a number of new features to Google Maps. Whereas I have never discovered each replace is helpful, some new and present options have genuinely improved my day by day commute and journey experiences. Listed here are a number of Google Maps options that not everybody is aware of about however are genuinely useful and would possibly show helpful for you, too.

6

Save your parking spot with only a single faucet

By no means fear about discovering your automobile once more

Has this ever occurred to you? You enter a multi-storey parking zone, park your automobile, 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 function that allows you to save your car’s parking location simply. It is simple to make use of, and this is how:

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

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

5

Filter areas with the “Open now” toggle

Excellent once you’re speeding or it is late

I am positive you’ve got been in a scenario 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 an awesome spot to eat close by, solely to find it is closed. In such circumstances, the “Open now” filter on Google Maps has saved me extra occasions than I can rely, and it would allow you to too.

This function works once you seek for issues like “cafes” or “pharmacy.” As soon as the Google Maps outcomes present up, simply faucet the “Open now” filter. It is 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 function, nevertheless it’s a complete lifesaver once you’re in a rush or when locations are about to shut.

4

Discover locations that match your dietary wants

Splendid for vegetarians, vegans, and extra

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

Which means for those who’re vegan, vegetarian, or choose halal, gluten-free, or different choices, Google Maps can filter outcomes robotically. This is easy methods to 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 house and work for faster route entry

No have to sort them each single time

If you happen to use Google Maps to navigate to your office or house daily, this function is a should. Google Maps permits you to save your own home and work addresses immediately within the app. That approach, everytime you’re on the street and want instructions, you possibly can merely faucet Residence or Work with out manually looking.

To set your own home and work areas within the Maps app, observe these steps:

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

2

Customise public transit with good filters

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

Among the finest options of Google Maps is how simply it helps you get round utilizing public transport, even in a totally 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 permits you to customise your public transport journey based mostly in your preferences. For instance, for those who choose taking the metro over buses, you possibly can set that. Equally, for those who’d reasonably take the quickest route, even when it means altering strains extra usually, you are able to do that too.

For instance, I often choose “Fewer transfers” as a result of I do not like switching strains, particularly when I’ve baggage. To set your preferences in Maps, observe 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 alter your route accordingly.

1

Ship instructions straight to your cellphone

Cross-device sync is underrated

This is among the most underrated options on Google Maps. Everytime you’re looking or planning a visit itinerary in your laptop computer, you possibly can immediately ship the Google Maps itemizing to your cellphone for fast entry.

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

It is an effective way to plan forward with out having to retype something later. I exploit this on a regular basis whereas journey planning or shopping locations throughout work.

All in all, Google Maps gives a spread of options that make each on a regular basis journey and journeys to new locations or international locations 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

Value

Free

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