Google Maps is great, but tweaking these 5 settings makes it way better

Google Maps is widely considered to be one of the leaders in navigation apps. It’s become ubiquitous with road trips, vacation destination scouting, and daily navigation. While there are other apps on the market like Apple Maps, Waze, etc., Google Maps has a solid UI and a great collection of settings to take advantage of.

I almost exclusively use Google Maps to navigate on both iPhone and Android devices. It doesn’t matter if I’m looking for directions to a new restaurant near my home or navigating a new city while traveling; Google Maps is always my default. The stock app is handy and serviceable, no matter the circumstances. However, taking advantage of these few settings can make Google Maps more useful to you and your life.

Google Maps

OS

iOS, Android

Brand

Google

Price

Free

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5 Download maps to use them offline

Don’t sweat if you’re heading into an area with low or unreliable connectivity

For most users, having a stable cellular or Wi-Fi connection is normal. However, don’t take this luxury for granted when heading into an area with less-than-reliable coverage. Thankfully, Google Maps offers the ability to download maps for offline use. Although you’ll have to forgo real-time updates such as traffic reflections, these offline maps can assist you with navigating in rural areas or those with low cellular reception.

To download a map, select the Profile icon within Google Maps and tap Offline Maps. Next, navigate to Select Your Own Map. Move the blue rectangle over the area you desire and hit Download. The app will then relay the download size it’ll take up on your device before allowing you to accept. All offline maps will be available for 30 days.

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4 Use Dark Mode to save your eyeballs in Google Maps

Seriously, stop using anything other than Dark Mode

I’ll stand on a soap box and say that Dark Mode should be used on any app when available. Google Maps thankfully offers a Dark Mode. In my opinion, it not only saves me from being further exposed to harsh white lights when looking at my phone, but it also improves the UI. I quite like the contrast between the darker background and the various icons for restaurants, attractions and text. Living in a larger metro city, Dark Mode also makes it easier to see transit routes.

To toggle Dark Mode on or off, simply click on the Profile icon within Google Maps. Select the Settings option and scroll down to Using Maps. Here, you can find the option to turn Dark Mode on or off. Additionally, you can have it reflect the same option as the device setting.

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3 Set reminders of when to leave

Never miss an appointment with this Google Maps setting

It took me an embarrassingly long time to learn about this setting. So, let me fill you in on a little secret. Google Maps can notify you when it’s time to leave for an appointment, dinner, or any other obligation. This way, you’ll know the time to leave, considering traffic and transit updates, so you never have to arrive fashionably late again.

To utilize this setting, search for the location you’re traveling to on Google Maps. Select the three-dots icon in the top right-hand corner of the device. Tap Set a Reminder to Leave. Here, you can tell when you’d like to leave in the Depart At tab and click finish. Alternatively, Google Maps lets you customize and set an Arrive By time instead. Google Maps will then determine the correct departure time and notify you when to leave.

2 Share your location with friends and family

Sharing your location can help those closest to you know when you’ve arrived safe

Google Maps, like other navigation and location services, allows you to share your location with others. This is a really useful safety feature. It lets others monitor your location in real time and ensures you arrive safely. Sharing your location with friends and family can also provide helpful information if one party is lost while traveling to a meeting spot.

Tap the Profile icon on Google Maps to begin using this feature. You can then select Location Sharing. When you start to share your location, you can customize the duration of the data sharing. There is a For 1 Hour option to start. Once selected, you can share your location with someone from your contacts list. You can also tap More Options to send a link to others using a different app.

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1 Lock the Google Maps direction to always point North

Never get your directions confused by always having the app face north

One of the most irritating things about using navigational apps is getting momentarily turned around while looking at the screen. For instance, Google Maps sometimes faces you in the direction you’re facing currently. So, there may be a chance you could assume the north is the south or vice versa. The next thing you know, you’ve traveled one block, only to realize you’ve gone the wrong way. Thankfully, Google allows you to mitigate this issue.

To lock the north to the top of the screen, go to Google Maps Settings and select Navigation. Here, you can select Keep Map North Up. Experiment and see if this setting works for you. It may not be for everyone, but it’s a useful option to test out.

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