You’re Using Google Maps Incorrectly – All iPhone Hidden Features You Need To Know

Think you’re a Google Maps pro? There might be a few tricks you missed.

Here are five tips to instantly update your Google Maps game on iPhone.

1

Hidden Google Maps quick menu

You can long press Google Maps App to get quick access to various tricks.

This is thanks to an Apple feature called Quick Actions, and it works from the home screen.

Just long press an app icon to unlock a hidden menu.

It may not work for all apps, but many support this feature.

And one of them is Google Maps.

The bottom three long-press options are standard Apple plans.

You can edit the home screen position, share the app, or remove it entirely.

But the first three are specific to Google Maps.

The top one is a quick shortcut to your saved places.

So if you are on vacation and have marked many useful places, you can quickly navigate to this collection.

You can also use a shortcut to get to your posts, which is handy if you’re a regular Google Maps contributor.

Finally, there is the very useful Send My Location.

This is a quick way to share your current location with a friend or family member.

It can be useful, but it could also come in handy in an emergency situation.

Share your location

If you want to share something with someone who has a Google account, add their Gmail address to your Google contacts.

Then open Google Maps on your device, tap your profile picture, then select share location.

Next, tap the share location Button.

Now you can decide how long and with whom you want to share your location.

You can tick as many contact names as you like.

When you’re done, tap Split button on your iPhone.

The people you selected will now receive a notification to follow you.

Zoom faster

If you pinch in Google Maps to zoom, you’re doing something wrong.

Instead, try double-tapping the map surface, and instead of lifting your fingers after the second tap, hold them on the display.

You can then slide your finger up or down on the screen to adjust the zoom.

It’s a nice alternative to the pinch gesture most users prefer when zooming in or out.

The nifty hack works on both the iOS and Android versions of the app, the world’s most popular navigation software.

It’s a great way to adjust zoom if you’re using your phone with one hand while carrying a coffee or clinging to a rail on public transport.

Avoid tolls on Google Maps

If you want to make a car trip as cheap as possible, Google Maps offers an easy way to avoid tolls on your route.

Just enter your destination in the Google Maps app and tap on “Directions”.

Then click on the three vertical dots next to “Your location” and then on “Route options”.

Here you will find a section called “Avoid tolls” that you can turn on or off.

Turn on Avoid Tolls, then go back and click Start.

Use augmented reality directions from Google Maps

Google Maps supports augmented reality directions in certain locations – on newer iPhone and Android models.

This includes major cities like London and New York.

Recommended for pedestrians only, the feature adds additional directions on your phone screen so you can search through your phone camera for helpful tips.

If AR functionality is available for your location, the Live View option will appear once you have started your route.

Click on it and your phone will display the street as if you were seeing it through your phone camera, but with relevant information about it.

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