Using the Google Maps app

Google Maps is very popular

The Google Maps app is one of the most popular apps for getting directions and finding locations anywhere in the world. It’s available on Android phones and Apple devices too. For most Android phones, the Google Maps app comes pre-installed, but you can also get it from the Google Play Store. If you have an iPhone, you can get Google Maps from the App Store.

Google Maps uses Google Search

The Google Maps app takes advantage of Google’s powerful search algorithm to help you find things nearby. You can get directions to a street address, or you can search for recommended restaurants, events, things to see and do, and much more.

Google Maps also shows real time alerts

The Google Maps app also shows alerts of various kinds. If you have a destination set in the app, it will show any traffic disruptions on the route. As well as disruptions from crashes or closed roads, the app will also warn of higher-than-expected traffic due to big events, such as sporting matches or music concerts.

There are lots of options for directions

As well as showing a route for when you want to drive your car to a destination, Google Maps can also show routes for other forms of transport. You can tell the app you want to travel by foot, or different kinds of public transport. For some locations, there are also directions for cycling.

How Google Maps chooses a route

When you put in a destination, Google Maps calculates a route for you based on the easiest and fastest way to get there. It will also include alternative routes that you can tap to select. These alternatives might avoid toll roads, or traffic. Sometimes, Google Maps will choose a route it calls fastest due to current traffic conditions. The app will also tell you when a route has the usual traffic, so you can remember the best times of day to travel.

Google Maps is sometimes slow to update

Sometimes it takes a little while for Google Maps to update information about traffic conditions. You might set off on a longer journey, thinking the traffic is fine, only to discover a traffic jam or incident later on. When this happens, Google Maps may offer an alternative route. However, it can be a good idea to pull over and check regularly while travelling.

Other ways to search on Google Maps

Usually, you will use Google Maps to search for a destination by suburb or street address. However, you can also search by topic, or just by something you’re interested in. For example, you can search plant nursery and Google Maps will give locations including shops and displays.

Google Maps needs location services

If you turn off your phone’s location services, Google Maps will only have limited functionality as it won’t be able to track your current location. When Google Maps is accessing your location, most phones will show a small icon in the status bar at the top of the screen. This icon usually looks like a map pin or sometimes a little compass.

eSafety tip

If you don’t want any apps on your phone to access your location, you can turn off location services. This is in your phone’s Settings app.

You can find out more about location settings on your iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet in the Using the cloud topic.

Sometimes Google Maps needs mobile data

When you are using the Google Maps app away from your home Wi-Fi connection, it needs an active mobile data connection with good reception, and available data. However, you can put in your destination and get directions at home, while using your home Wi-Fi. Then you can download these as Offline directions if you expect to travel somewhere with bad mobile data reception.

Other apps that work like Google Maps

Google Maps is the most popular maps app but there are others to choose from if you’d prefer. Make sure to only download these from your device’s official app store. Some other map apps include:

• Apple Maps (on Apple devices only)
• Waze
• Here WeGo
• Maps.me

Well done!

This is the end of the Using the Google Maps app activity. You’ve learned how Google Maps works and how it can do more than just give directions.

Up next in the Rideshare and taxi apps activity, you’ll learn about some useful apps you can use to order transport when you are ready to travel and want to leave as soon as possible.