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

Whereas there are a plethora of navigation apps, Google Maps stays probably the most 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 not discovered each replace is helpful, some new and present options have genuinely improved my day by 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 would possibly 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 parking zone, park your automotive, after which fully overlook the place you parked, solely to wander round till you lastly keep in mind.

Sure, it occurs. Fortunately, Google Maps features a easy function that permits 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 telephone after parking your automotive.
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 Stage, Pillar J11”) and even set a reminder to maneuver your automotive later if wanted.

5

Filter areas with the “Open now” toggle

Excellent whenever you’re dashing or it is late

I am certain 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 ideal 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 instances than I can rely, and it would show you how to too.

This function 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’ll slender down the listing 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, 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

Very best for vegetarians, vegans, and extra

Google Maps is well the most effective instruments to search out eating places and cafes. You may filter areas by scores, delicacies, accessibility, and extra. However one underrated Google Maps possibility is you could additionally tweak Google Maps to mechanically present solely these eating places and eateries round you that match your dietary preferences.

Meaning in the event you’re vegan, vegetarian, or want halal, gluten-free, or different choices, Google Maps can filter outcomes mechanically. This is the way to set it up:

1. Within the Google Maps app, faucet your profile icon on the high 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 must kind them each single time

In case you use Google Maps to navigate to your office or house daily, this function is a should. Google Maps enables you to save your house and work addresses instantly within the app. That approach, everytime you’re on the street and want instructions, you may merely faucet Residence or Work with out manually looking.

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

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

2

Customise public transit with sensible 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 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 enables you to customise your public transport journey based mostly in your preferences. For instance, in the event you want taking the metro over buses, you may set that. Equally, in the event you’d fairly take the quickest route, even when it means altering traces 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 traces, 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 alter 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 or planning a visit itinerary in your laptop computer, you may instantly 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 gadgets. 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 instantly within the Maps app.

It is a good 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 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

Value

Free

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