Abstract

  • Google Maps presents detailed voice steering to reassure you that you just’re on the suitable path.
  • It is nice for these with visible impairments, or for anybody who desires extra complete strolling instructions.
  • To allow the characteristic in Google Maps, go to Settings > Navigation > Detailed Voice Steering.

I am continuously utilizing Google Map’s voice navigation to assist route me once I’m strolling someplace unknown, however discovered myself wishing it gave extra data. Then I found a setting tucked away that does precisely that, and it immediately improved my expertise.

Why I Use Google Map’s Voice Navigation When Strolling

After I’m touring someplace new, I wish to stroll wherever potential in order that I can see the place I am staying and take in the environment. To assist get me to my vacation spot, I take advantage of Google Maps on my cellphone (Google Maps is great for more than just navigation, nevertheless it’s what I take advantage of it for many). Inside moments, I can see the most effective route and be on my manner.

Google Maps open on an iPhone showing a destination.
Jason Montoya/How-To Geek

Because of the glanceable directions feature, I do not even have to unlock my cellphone to get route updates. The difficulty is, generally I do not wish to pull out my cellphone in any respect, particularly in busy cities the place cellphone theft is an actual menace. I’ve enabled all my cellphone’s theft safety options, nevertheless it nonetheless will not stop somebody bodily snatching it from me.

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Higher protected than sorry.

As such, I are inclined to pop an earbud in and use Google Map’s voice navigation to assist route me. It means I can obtain audio instructions with out touching my cellphone and searching like an oblivious vacationer.

Google Map’s voice needs to be enabled by default, however you’ll be able to test it by tapping your profile image within the top-right and going to Settings > Navigation and setting Mute State to “Unmuted”. Right here it’s also possible to make the Steering Quantity louder, if vital.

Whereas voice navigation is cheap, I typically wished it gave extra element and reassurance. For instance, I’d stroll down an extended road and Google Maps would fall silent; presumably as a result of I used to be heading in the right direction, however what if I wasn’t?

I assumed it wasn’t potential to get what I wished, however then I poked round within the app’s settings and located it: detailed voice steering.

What Is Detailed Voice Steering?

Detailed voice steering is a characteristic Google launched in 2019 that was constructed for folks with visible impairments. It is definitely useful to that group of individuals, however it will possibly assist anybody.

With it enabled, Google Maps offers extra vocal details about the route. For instance, it lets you understand that you just’re on the suitable path, which immediately solved my drawback of feeling prefer it hadn’t spoken to me shortly.

It additionally updates you with how far it’s till the following flip, which suggests you’ll be able to cross the street in good time if vital, and in addition what route you are strolling in. Plus, when you go the mistaken manner, it verbally tells you that you just’re being re-routed.

Personally, a few of these are extra useful than others, although I perceive that, as somebody with sight, the characteristic wasn’t designed with me in thoughts. A pleasant enchancment can be if I might toggle which of those aids I wished.

When asserting the launch of detailed voice steering on The Keyword, Wakana Sugiyama, a blind girl dwelling in Tokyo, mentioned: “With detailed voice steering in Google Maps, my journey fades into the background and I can focus extra on what I am going to do at my remaining vacation spot. This may occasionally not sound extraordinary to these with sight, however for people who find themselves blind or have low imaginative and prescient, this may help us discover new and unfamiliar locations.”

Although my expertise is totally different from Sugiyama’s, I relate to the profit that the detailed directions present and I now spend much less time worrying about my journey.

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Easy methods to Allow Detailed Voice Steering

For those who assume detailed voice steering sounds helpful, it is easy to allow it. First, open Google Maps and faucet your profile image within the top-right. Subsequent, faucet “Settings”, then “Navigation.” Lastly, beneath Strolling Choices, allow “Detailed Voice Steering.”

For those who resolve it is not for you and wish to return to the usual stage of voice steering, return to the identical display and switch off the toggle—although when you’re mid-route and wish to disable it instantly, you will have to exit so you’ll be able to entry the settings.


I take advantage of Google Maps on a regular basis and solely simply found this, so it simply goes to indicate there are many handy Google Maps features you may not be using.


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