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 one of the crucial broadly used choices. It comes pre-installed on most Android smartphones, presents 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 beneficial, some new and present options have genuinely improved my every day commute and journey experiences. Listed here are just a few 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 parking zone, park your automotive, after which utterly neglect 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 allows you to save your car’s parking location simply. It is simple to make use of, and here 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 areas with the “Open now” toggle

Good if you’re speeding or it is late

I am positive you have 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 occasions than I can depend, and it’d assist you to too.

This function works if 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 record to solely present locations which are 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 if you’re in a rush or when locations are about to shut.

4

Discover locations that match your dietary wants

Superb for vegetarians, vegans, and extra

Google Maps is definitely probably the greatest instruments to seek out eating places and cafes. You’ll be able to filter areas by rankings, delicacies, accessibility, and extra. However one underrated Google Maps choice is which you can additionally tweak Google Maps to mechanically present solely these eating places and eateries round you that match your dietary preferences.

Which means if you happen to’re vegan, vegetarian, or desire halal, gluten-free, or different choices, Google Maps can filter outcomes mechanically. Here is the way 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 residence and work for faster route entry

No must kind them each single time

In the event you use Google Maps to navigate to your office or residence every single day, this function is a should. Google Maps enables you to save your property and work addresses straight within the app. That method, everytime you’re on the highway and wish instructions, you possibly can merely faucet Dwelling or Work with out manually looking out.

To set your property 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 residence or work.
3. Select the one you need to set or edit, then both kind in or manually set the tackle.

2

Customise public transit with sensible filters

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

Top-of-the-line options of Google Maps is how simply it helps you get round utilizing public transport, even in a very new place. You need not 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, if you happen to desire taking the metro over buses, you possibly can set that. Equally, if you happen to’d moderately take the quickest route, even when it means altering strains extra typically, 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, 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, comparable to fewer transfers or wheelchair entry, and Maps will modify 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 straight ship the Google Maps itemizing to your telephone for fast entry.

Simply be sure 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 telephone.” Faucet it, and you may immediately get a notification in your telephone that opens the placement or route straight within the Maps app.

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

All in all, Google Maps presents a variety 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, comparable to 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 device helps drivers, commuters, walkers, and cyclists get to the place they’re going with options like scheduled departures, incident reporting, and slowdown warnings.