8 Tips to Make Google Maps Work Like a Pro

23/12/2021
Contributed by: Google author

Google Maps is a tool that most people have used at some point. These eight tips will help you use all the features of Google Maps. Google Maps is a must-have feature in modern life. You can use it to navigate the globe faster and more efficiently. But are you making the most of Google Maps? Probably, not!

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Other than the features you often use, some hidden attributes can make Google Maps even more enjoyable. Let's look at a few.

1. Modify the Directions Arrow

You may have been guided to your destination by the blue arrow that appears on Google Maps since the beginning of Google Maps. Although it may be leading you in the right direction, it is a very dull visualization.

Google Maps allows you to customize the pointer to make it more fun. Google Maps lets you replace the dull blue arrow with a fancy new car model.

To customize your vehicle icon, follow the steps below:

  • Open Google Maps on your smartphone.
  • Start a navigation session, and then enter your destination.
  • In driving mode, long-press the blue navigation arrow.
  • Choose your vehicle from the list.

2. Access Maps Offline

Google Maps lets you download entire areas where you plan to vacation. You won't lose your way if you don't have internet access, and you won't use up your data plan while you travel. This feature can save you time, even if you're trying to navigate around town.

How to use Google Maps Offline without Internet, source: Youtube, How To Tutorial

Here's how to save a location in Google Maps for offline use:

  • Open Google Maps.
  • Tap on the 3 horizontal lines in the upper-left corner.
  • Navigate to Offline Maps from the Menu.
  • Click on Select Your Map in the top right corner.
  • Zoom in to see the entire map until it covers the area you want to use offline.
  • When you are done selecting, hit the Download button.

Google Maps may take some time, depending on how large the area is. It will save the location once it is downloaded unless you update it.

Follow the above steps to access the downloaded maps. You'll find a list of your downloaded maps under the offline maps section.

3. Share your location

Although it may seem daunting at first, sharing your location can prove to be very helpful. Share your website with friends and rescue teams if you get lost in the woods.

Open Google Maps and click the search bar to share your location. It will display your site. Next, tap on Share your position.

4. Search for and Save Your Parking Spot

Google Maps can help you find free parking spaces. This feature makes it much easier to find a parking space. You can use this feature to locate accessible parking spaces near you, whether you are moving around the city, shopping malls, or traveling to unknown destinations.

How to Find Your Parked Car on Google Maps 2021, Source: Youtube, Supreme Guru Tech

You can also save your car's parked location so that you won't forget where it was parked in ample space. This feature is handy if it takes time to find your car in a busy parking lot.

Here are some ways to find a parking spot.

  • After reaching your destination, open the Google Maps app.
  • Use the search bar to find parking near you.
  • Pick a parking spot.
  • Tap Directions.

Here are some ways to save your parking spot:

  • When you're close to your car, tap on the blue dot.
  • Click Save Your Parking

5. Find out how busy businesses are

Did you ever make a last-minute reservation to eat lunch or dinner at a restaurant? If the restaurant is always full, it might be challenging to get a reservation.

Google Maps crowdsourcing allows you to determine when the busiest hours are for any business. Knowing the most active hours will enable you to go to theaters and shopping malls at quieter times, avoiding queues.

Here are some ways to check busy hours in any business.

  • Open Google Maps.
  • Tap on Restaurants under the Search bar.
  • Select the restaurant you prefer from the list.
  • Scroll down to Popular Times

The Popular Times section displays how busy a business has been throughout the day or right now.

6. Google Maps History Can Be Deleted

You can see suggestions of places you have visited previously when you type any location into the Google Maps search box. This information is pulled from your location history by Google Maps.

How to Delete Search History on Google Maps! (2021 Guide), Source: Youtube, How to Digital

It can save you time by suggesting places you frequent. It could also reveal your visited sites to others if they check your phone. To keep your location history private, you should delete it.

  • Google Maps Launched
  • Tap the icon for your Google account in the upper-right corner.
  • Tap on Map History and go to Settings.
  • Using the Delete Maps Activity, you can delete maps from the last hour, last night, or all-time.

7. Take a look at what streets look like

Google Maps Street View makes use of Google's 360 imaging. Users can share panoramic photos to give the map a personal touch. It saves pictures to show how a street has changed over time. This is an excellent tool to explore new routes before you drive.

Google Maps will automatically rotate and position images that you post in the Street View section. It then creates a slideshow of photos added for a particular location. Fellow travelers can view the street for many years.

  • Use the down arrow to navigate the Google Maps app.
  • Tap on Street View in the Map Details.
  • To see street photos from your location, tap on the blue dots.

8. Street View: Hide Your Home

Google Maps showing your street view home could be considered intrusive. Although it's not unusual for people not to care about their home being added to Google Street View, they might be interested in having strangers see your location.

Google makes it easy to erase or blur their home address completely. This protects their privacy and prevents secret locations from being made public.

How to hide your Home or Car from Google Street, Source: Youtube, AllPositiveThings

Click on Street View in Google Maps to hide your home address. Then, enter your address. Google Street View allows you to locate your home quickly.

Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner to hit "Report Problem."

9. Conclusion

Use the above features to change the way you use Google Maps. You can also change the language used to navigate Google Maps if you frequently travel around the globe.

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Hope this information is helpful, thanks for reading.

 Source: https://proreviewsapp.com/

 


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