Afrigather Google Maps is one of the vital widespread apps there may be. It’s utilized by greater than a billion individuals each month throughout Android, iOS, and the net. It’s additionally an app with extra options and capabilities in it than many individuals understand, and I’m going to spotlight a few of them right here.
These methods transcend the fundamentals of wanting up places, getting instructions, and navigating from place to put; I assume you are already fairly acquainted with these screens and the choices that come together with them.
As an alternative I wish to dig just a little bit deeper into the options you maybe did not know had been even in Google Maps. Plus, I can present you a number of methods for making it simpler to get across the app in your cellphone or on the internet.
Measure Direct Distances and Areas
Google Maps can measure distances and areas.
Courtesy of David Nield
Google Maps readily tells you the distances between two locations by way of driving or strolling instructions. However what about whenever you want a direct “because the crow flies” distance? It may be useful for every little thing from planning mountain climbing routes to measuring property sizes.
Google Maps can do that too, in the event you open it up on the internet: Proper-click on a spot and select Measure distance, then click on on one other location to get a measurement. To measure an space, maintain clicking so as to add extra nodes, then click on the unique one once more to outline the boundary of the realm.
The Double-Faucet Zoom Trick
That is one which an entire new group of customers appear to find once in a while, but it surely’s been in Google Maps for years. In case you’re utilizing the app on Android or iOS, you’ll be able to double-tap and maintain your finger or thumb on the map, then drag down or as much as zoom in or out.
It means you do not want two palms to zoom, which you do with the common pinch-to-zoom strategy—excellent for these events whenever you’re gripping a subway rail, strolling the canine, or carrying the groceries, and solely have one hand free.
Discover Unpaved Roads and Filth Trails
You may get extra particulars about tracks and trails in the event you want them.
Courtesy of David Nield
It isn’t all the time clear what sort of highway or path you are taking a look at in Google Maps, however there may be assist obtainable within the type of the biking or biking layer. That is obtainable throughout all platforms, but it surely’s of most use on the internet, the place it comes with a useful key.
Hover the cursor over the Layers panel (backside proper), then click on Biking. The map will then modify the way in which routes are marked for cyclists, with several types of strains for trails, devoted bike lanes, bicycle-friendly roads, and unpaved trails.
Add Your Personal Places
There are some spots which may be private to you—the picnic space, typical parking area, the park bench, the buddy’s home—that are not publicly marked on Google Maps. If they don’t seem to be marked, they’re tougher to get to whenever you’re looking out or navigating.
You possibly can repair this by creating your individual place: Faucet and maintain on a spot within the cellular app to drop a pin, then pull up the information card and select Add label. These labels then present up in search outcomes as flags on the map, and in your saved locations.
Bear in mind The place You Parked
By no means lose your parking spot once more.
Courtesy of David Nield
There isn’t any must waste time looking in your automotive after an extended day. Google Maps can bear in mind it for you. Once you’ve parked up, faucet on the blue dot on the map within the cellular app, then select Save parking from the panel that pops up.
When it is time to get again, simply seek for “parking” within the app, to see the created label. You can too pan across the map to search out the “you parked right here” flag—faucet on it and you may get instructions proper to the precise spot.
Report an Accident on the Street
Assist out fellow Google Maps customers by reporting accidents you come throughout in your travels: In case you’re in navigation mode within the cellular app, faucet the icon on the suitable (a plus image inside a search bubble), then select one of many choices listed.
These choices really fluctuate by nation, however it’s best to see Crash as one in all them. (Roadworks, congestion, and stalled autos are additionally generally listed.) If Google Maps will get sufficient of those particular person reviews, a warning will seem on the map for everybody.
Reply Questions About Locations
Ask questions to assist out different Google Maps customers.
Courtesy of David Nield
The social and group points of Google Maps are likely to go missed, however you’ll find them by way of the Contribute tab within the cellular app. Faucet Contribute now and you’ll reply some easy sure or no questions on locations you have visited not too long ago.
Maps will ask you in regards to the place’s opening hours, whether or not it has valet parking, accessible entrances, and so forth. Keep in mind that someday you is likely to be grateful that another person made contributions like this, as a result of they’ve helped you out in your individual travels.
