MakeUseOf - Google Maps

I changed these hidden Google Maps settings and my commute feels completely different

Jack Mitchell — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:00:17 GMT

Navigation apps are like politics—everyone has an opinion and everyone picks a side. Having tried almost every other app in existence, I have firmly settled on Google Maps, mostly because I like its features, interface, user interaction, and deep integration with the Google ecosystem.

I had no idea how much Google Maps was tracking me until I found these settings

Sagar Naresh — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 17:30:17 GMT

Among all navigation apps, Google Maps stands right at the top. With its familiar interface and ease of use, Google Maps is so popular that it is available on almost all phones. However, Google is notorious for tracking all sorts of users’ personal details. Recently, poking into the app, I discovered that it was doing a lot more than just getting me from point A to B. Google Maps was tracking my whereabouts in minute-to-minute updates. It knew exactly where I went yesterday and even remembered my old daily commutes.

I stopped using Google Maps on Android Auto after trying this change

Shimul Sood — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:16 GMT

I spent quite a bit of time trying to make Google Maps work better on Android Auto. I experimented with different settings, adjusted navigation preferences, and hoped something would finally improve the experience. For context, I'm very much a self-aware passenger princess. That means I'm usually the one sitting beside the driver, casually watching the route, missing out on directions (sometimes), and occasionally pointing out when something looks odd on the map. In reality, it also means I notice every wrong turn, confusing lane suggestion, or oddly timed instruction. So, even from the passenger seat, it became pretty clear that Google Maps wasn't exactly helping. When the person who's supposed to be the calm co-pilot starts questioning the directions, you know something isn't quite right.

I changed these 5 Google Maps settings, and my commute is actually faster now

Tashreef Shareef — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 19:00:18 GMT

Google Maps has been my default navigation service for years now, and for the most part (except for one day when it literally guided me to someone's backyard), it's been reliable. While the default settings work for most people, Google Maps has evolved to offer a lot more than just basic navigation.

I replaced Google Maps with this app and didn’t miss it

Raghav Sethi — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 20:01:17 GMT

Google Maps has been the default for so long that nobody really questions it. I used it for years without thinking twice. Recently, I just got curious and decided to switch to Apple Maps full-time, and I have not gone back since.

I had no idea Google Maps showed this much of my home

Tashreef Shareef — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:30:17 GMT

I've often seen the Street View vehicles roaming the streets with multiple cameras mounted on a tall mast. These cameras capture everything around them, letting you look around in 360 degrees on Google Maps' Street View, as if you were standing there. It's useful for locating places that aren't obvious in the map view, and it's been extremely handy when I'm on a trip or in an area I don't visit regularly. Between Street View and auto-updates for offline view, which makes navigation dramatically better, Google Maps has a lot going for it.

Apple Maps just did something I never expected

Jack Mitchell — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:00:16 GMT

I have been an inveterate Mac user for 25 years, and I have always loved the Cupertino company’s design philosophy, deep integration of hardware and software, and pure aesthetics. However, when it comes to mobile, I am an Android fan through and through, and I have always relied on its native Google Maps for navigation.

I started self-hosting my location history (and I actually love it)

Yadullah Abidi — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:30:16 GMT

For years, I've scrolled through Google Maps Timeline and relived trips, coffee runs, and random detours, but I've always been skeptical about where all that data is being stored. Realizing just how detailed that timeline was finally pushed me over the edge.

This route planner does what Google Maps can’t — and I love it

Brady Snyder — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:31:16 GMT

Google Maps is lagging behind other navigation apps for electric vehicle owners. Those of us with EVs know that it's rarely as simple as plugging in a destination into a navigation app and starting to drive. You have to consider battery range, real-world conditions, and the availability of charging stations. I've driven from the Santa Cruz, CA to Long Beach Island, NJ — a coast-to-coast road trip — in my Tesla Model Y. Surprisingly, there were few issues. Range anxiety seems to be more of an issue than the limited range itself. It all comes down to planning.

5 ways I use Google Maps and Gemini to plan a cheaper, less stressful weekend trip

Jack Mitchell — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:00:16 GMT

I like to use my weekends wisely, and at least once a month, I get out of the city for a short trip to recharge my batteries. A quick getaway can work wonders for one’s mental well-being; however, poor planning can result in hours stuck in traffic, overpacked itineraries, and money wasted on last-minute decisions.