Google Maps is nice, however tweaking these 5 settings makes it means higher

Google Maps is broadly thought-about to be one of many leaders in navigation apps. It is turn out to be ubiquitous with street journeys, trip vacation spot scouting, and each day navigation. Whereas there are different apps in the marketplace like Apple Maps, Waze, and so on., Google Maps has a stable UI and an excellent assortment of settings to benefit from.

I nearly solely use Google Maps to navigate on each iPhone and Android gadgets. It does not matter if I am in search of instructions to a brand new restaurant close to my house or navigating a brand new metropolis whereas touring; Google Maps is all the time my default. The inventory app is useful and serviceable, irrespective of the circumstances. Nonetheless, profiting from these few settings could make Google Maps extra helpful to you and your life.

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5 Obtain maps to make use of them offline

Do not sweat if you happen to’re heading into an space with low or unreliable connectivity

For many customers, having a steady mobile or Wi-Fi connection is regular. Nonetheless, do not take this luxurious with no consideration when heading into an space with less-than-reliable protection. Fortunately, Google Maps offers the ability to download maps for offline use. Though you may need to forgo real-time updates comparable to site visitors reflections, these offline maps can help you with navigating in rural areas or these with low mobile reception.

To obtain a map, choose the Profile icon inside Google Maps and faucet Offline Maps. Subsequent, navigate to Choose Your Personal Map. Transfer the blue rectangle over the realm you want and hit Obtain. The app will then relay the obtain measurement it will take up in your system earlier than permitting you to simply accept. All offline maps will probably be out there for 30 days.

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4 Use Darkish Mode to save lots of your eyeballs in Google Maps

Significantly, cease utilizing something aside from Darkish Mode

I will stand on a soap box and say that Darkish Mode must be used on any app when out there. Google Maps fortunately gives a Darkish Mode. In my view, it not solely saves me from being additional uncovered to harsh white lights when taking a look at my telephone, but it surely additionally improves the UI. I fairly just like the distinction between the darker background and the assorted icons for eating places, points of interest and textual content. Dwelling in a bigger metro metropolis, Darkish Mode additionally makes it simpler to see transit routes.

To toggle Darkish Mode on or off, merely click on on the Profile icon inside Google Maps. Choose the Settings choice and scroll all the way down to Utilizing Maps. Right here, you will discover the choice to show Darkish Mode on or off. Moreover, you may have it replicate the identical choice because the system setting.

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3 Set reminders of when to depart

By no means miss an appointment with this Google Maps setting

It took me an embarrassingly very long time to find out about this setting. So, let me fill you in on somewhat secret. Google Maps can notify you when it is time to go away for an appointment, dinner, or every other obligation. This manner, you may know the time to depart, contemplating site visitors and transit updates, so that you by no means need to arrive fashionably late once more.

To make the most of this setting, seek for the placement you are touring to on Google Maps. Choose the three-dots icon within the high right-hand nook of the system. Faucet Set a Reminder to Depart. Right here, you may inform once you’d like to depart within the Depart At tab and click on end. Alternatively, Google Maps helps you to customise and set an Arrive By time as a substitute. Google Maps will then decide the right departure time and notify you when to depart.

2 Share your location with family and friends

Sharing your location might help these closest to you understand once you’ve arrived protected

Google Maps, like different navigation and site companies, lets you share your location with others. This can be a actually helpful security function. It lets others monitor your location in actual time and ensures you arrive safely. Sharing your location with family and friends may also present useful data if one get together is misplaced whereas touring to a gathering spot.

Faucet the Profile icon on Google Maps to start utilizing this function. You’ll be able to then choose Location Sharing. If you begin to share your location, you may customise the length of the information sharing. There’s a For 1 Hour choice to begin. As soon as chosen, you may share your location with somebody out of your contacts listing. You may also faucet Extra Choices to ship a hyperlink to others utilizing a special app.

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1 Lock the Google Maps route to all the time level North

By no means get your instructions confused by all the time having the app face north

One of the crucial irritating issues about utilizing navigational apps is getting momentarily rotated whereas wanting on the display screen. For example, Google Maps generally faces you within the route you are going through at the moment. So, there could also be an opportunity you could possibly assume the north is the south or vice versa. The following factor you understand, you’ve got traveled one block, solely to appreciate you’ve got gone the unsuitable means. Fortunately, Google lets you mitigate this challenge.

To lock the north to the highest of the display screen, go to Google Maps Settings and choose Navigation. Right here, you may choose Maintain Map North Up. Experiment and see if this setting works for you. It might not be for everybody, but it surely’s a helpful choice to check out.

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