hidden features that are secretly useful
Apple Maps is fine, of course, but we have to be honest: Google Maps has a lot more features right now. But did you already know these hacks for Google Maps?
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Google Maps: Hacks
You undoubtedly know how to plan a route with Google Maps, but the app has many more features. We have the following three Google Maps tips for you.
1. Turn your icon into a car
Have you had enough of the (boring) blue arrow while driving the route in Google Maps? Then make it a car. This hack only works if you have planned a route with your car, and it won’t work if you map out a route in Google Maps, for example.
- Type the location of your final destination in the text box;
- Select your means of transport at the top left, in this case the car;
- Tap ‘Start’;
- Tap the arrow and customize your vehicle.
2. Quickly download a map
When you’re on vacation, you don’t always have a fast internet connection. If you are somewhere on WiFi for a while, it is smart to download a piece of the Google Maps map. You can still navigate without an internet connection. In these Google Maps hacks, we show a special way to download the map on your iPhone.
Download Google Maps map for offline use
- In Google Maps, open the part of the map you want to download;
- Tap in the text box and type ‘ok maps’;
- Tap the blue ‘Search’ button and choose ‘Download’;
- Wait for the map to be downloaded.
3. Calibrate with Live View
This last tip from our Google Maps hacks is especially helpful when using the live view to navigate. It sometimes happens that the route planner gets lost and does not pick up the right location. At such a moment it is best to recalibrate Google Maps. The app does this using Live view.
- Open Google Maps;
- Tap the blue dot (your location);
- In the menu, choose ‘Calibrate with Live View’;
- Point your camera at buildings, shops and signs around you. Google Maps can then better determine your location and the route planner will pick up the correct route again.
More tips for Google Maps
In addition to these hacks for Google Maps, we have many more tips for you. With these 7 tips you can get more out of the route planner, but we also show you how you can share your location in Google Maps with someone in four steps. Check out the video below for more Google Maps tips.
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