4 unspoken ways to maximize Google Maps in CarPlay and Android Auto

To say I am depending on Google Maps could be an understatement. Whereas I can drive to acquainted locations with none assist, I am not a kind of individuals who has the town’s grid memorized — if I stray off-course, it is fairly simple for me to get misplaced. Even once I do know the place I am going, I like seeing the site visitors state of affairs, and getting reminders that I must exit or change lanes. I swear that some metropolis planners enjoyment of placing exits and merges in essentially the most inconvenient locations — I am taking a look at you, Austin.

There are a number of issues you are able to do to make Google Maps simpler to make use of in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hopefully you already know a number of of these items, but when not, this record ought to make the expertise slightly smoother. Bear in mind to concentrate to the highway, nonetheless — you could must attempt a few of these suggestions whenever you’re parked or on a protracted straightaway.

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1

Load up your route earlier than you flip in your automotive

A cellphone is at all times quicker

Google / Pocket-lint

Let’s face it — as handy as it’s to have Google Maps in your dashboard, it is usually cumbersome to enter a brand new vacation spot that method. Voice recognition does not at all times get issues proper, and dashboard contact keyboards are awkward at finest. You may’t even entry the Maps keyboard as soon as your automotive is in movement — it is a security measure.

You will get round these points by launching instructions in your cellphone earlier than CarPlay or Android Auto kicks in. When you flip in your automotive, Maps will likely be able to roll. That is particularly helpful if it’s essential to make a number of stops — in any other case, you could find yourself plotting issues out for a couple of minutes in your automotive seat. I would by no means wish to plan a cross-country journey solely through CarPlay.

Generally, merely looking for a location will likely be sufficient to streamline issues. That is as a result of the app has a Current searches perform whenever you begin navigation contemporary — when you appeared up a specific place a couple of minutes in the past, all it’s important to do is faucet on its title in search historical past.

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2

Customise your map view

Get no extra or a minimum of what you want

Google

Google Maps has plenty of visible choices for in-car navigation, however these can doubtlessly be complicated, whether or not by providing an excessive amount of or too little information. For those who faucet on the gear icon (in Android Auto) — or else the journey card, then the gear icon (in CarPlay) — you possibly can toggle the app’s Site visitors, Satellite tv for pc, and 3D Buildings layers. Attempt disabling the Satellite tv for pc and 3D Buildings choices when you’re discovering navigation visually chaotic.

For those who like, you can too handle Alerts by this menu. Be cautious about turning them off — whereas it is going to reduce distractions, the very last thing anybody desires is to overlook a warning that might’ve saved you minutes and even hours of journey time. When the app says there’s an accident or main congestion forward, it is best to take it critically. I’ve realized that the arduous method.

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3

Silence navigation prompts

Another choice it is best to train with warning

Considered one of my pet peeves about Google Maps is the way it steadily interrupts my music and podcasts, regardless of if I am already properly conscious of the place I am going. It could actually’t learn my thoughts, after all, and that is the most secure default setting, however I am going to generally get two or three interruptions in lower than 30 seconds once I’m taking a freeway off-ramp.

You may mute audio instructions by tapping the speaker icon whereas driving. Android Auto customers have a bonus right here, since additionally they get a middle-ground Alerts solely setting that warns them of upcoming hazards. Regardless, it is in all probability finest to change audio prompts again on whenever you’re driving in an unfamiliar space — it is easy to overlook a flip with visual-only prompts, since your eyes are presupposed to be on the highway more often than not.

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Simplify sudden route modifications

I am going to admit it — it doesn’t matter what journey I am on, I am going to often simply punch in my remaining vacation spot, even when I do know I am going to want fuel, meals, or a battery cost alongside the best way. That makes it crucial to know the best way to add stops on the fly. All skilled drivers ought to be capable of do that, actually, since you possibly can’t at all times rely on indicators pointing the best way. In locations like rural Texas, fuel stations may generally be dozens of miles aside — lacking one can imply operating dry in the midst of nowhere.

In Android Auto, faucet on the magnifying glass icon within the journey card. CarPlay customers must faucet on the journey card first, then Add cease. Both method, it is best to see a listing of one-tap search classes, corresponding to Fuel Stations, Eating places, and Espresso. Faucet on one, and you will be introduced with areas alongside your route.

Do not fret if it’s essential to go someplace particular that does not fall inside Google’s presets. Voice searches are attainable, and when circumstances permit, it is best to be capable of sort one thing in. In some conditions, I would nonetheless advocate parking someplace first to make a extra knowledgeable resolution, and re-order your stops if crucial.

Talking of which, there is a most of 10 stops on any given route, so bear that in thoughts when you’re going cross-country or making plenty of deliveries. Additionally, whereas Google Maps will usually resume your routes robotically when you get out of your automotive for a couple of minutes, on-the-fly routes are in all probability going to fade after something longer than that — they should keep energetic in your cellphone’s reminiscence. Most individuals do not maintain a driving app operating whereas they’re exploring a theme park or watching a film with mates.

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