How to Use Google Maps in iOS

Apple Maps has many useful features, but many people still prefer to stick with Google Maps. Beyond getting from point A to B, the app allows you to save your favorite locations, follow people, and much more.

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Since Google Maps has several functions, understanding each will help you get the most out of the app. And in this article, we aim to do precisely that.

Trying to Get From Point A to B

Probably the most common reason you’ll use Google Maps is to get from where you are to where you’d like to be. Doing so is simple; you only need to type the place you wish to get to in the second bar at the top.

For the first bar, you can simply choose your location – or the place you will be traveling from.

Once you’ve outlined where you want to go, Google Maps will show various options. You’ll see how to get to your destination by car, foot, bicycle, and public transportation.

For long-distance destinations, you can also see how long it’ll take you to get there by plane. Select See Flights on Google to book the trip that suits you.

Depending on where you live, you can also see how long it’ll take you to get to your endpoint via a ride-sharing service – such as Uber.

When you’ve entered your start and finishing points, you can select Start to get real-time directions on your map.

Categorizing Searches on Google Maps

Let’s say you’re out and about, but you’re flexible about where you end up. For example, you might want to meet a friend for coffee. If that sounds like you, Google Maps can help you out.

In Google Maps, you can categorize your searches based on multiple parameters. These include, but are not limited to:

• Restaurants
• Coffee
• Grocery stores
• Hotels

Beneath the search option for getting somewhere, you can pick from these categories. When you select one, you’ll see what you can choose from within the area you’ve specified.

If you move the map, you can select Search this area at the top to find your options for the new region you’ve covered. You can then tap on one to either save it or get directions.

By going to View list in the bottom right, you can see all of your options outside of the map view. And if you click on More, you will see even more options to choose from.

Sorting Filters for Your Searches

When you search for different places in Google Maps, you can add filters to better refine your search for your needs. You can choose your price range, and it’s also possible to select only places that are open at the time you search.

In the Filters section, you can also segment your search based on the minimum user rating you’re willing to allow.

To access these filters, go to the toggle icon – which you’ll see below the search bar. You can also quickly choose different parameters by going to the tabs next to it.

Finding Out What’s Going on in an Area

User reviews are a crucial part of the Google experience in general, and that’s also the case for Google Maps. If you want to find out what others are doing in a certain part of the world, you can go to the Latest in [Place Name] section at the bottom of the screen.

Here, you’ll see all of the latest reviews and photos that people have published for that place. You can also choose whether you want to follow those that have published them.

Adding Lists on Google Maps

Are you traveling to a new town or city, and you’d like to start bringing everything you want to do together? If so, adding lists on Google Maps is a good idea.

To add a list, go to Saved > New List and give it a name. You can also choose whether you want it to be public, shared, or private.

After creating your list, you can add new places to it.

Adding Favorites

Adding favorites on Google Maps is a great way to keep track of the places that you really love. Doing so is pretty simple; all you have to do is search for and click on whatever it is that you’d like to add.

If you press the Save icon, you’ll see an option titled Favorites. If you tick that box and select Done, you will now see the destination added as a favorite on your map. When saving the place as a favorite, you can also add a note if you feel this is necessary.

Contributing on Google Maps

Besides reading other people’s reviews and viewing their photos, you might also want to add your own and help others out. Google Maps is easy to contribute to; start by going to the Contribute tab at the bottom of your screen.

In the Contribute section, you’ll see options for writing reviews and adding photos. But beyond that, you can also add new places to the map – along with fixing addresses.

If you go to Edit map, you can also send Google feedback if you think that they can improve in a specific area.

Using the Updates Tab

As you use Google Maps more, you might want to follow others that you find particularly interesting. Once you do this, you can go to the Updates section – before selecting Following – to get an overview of what they’re saying.

In the Updates section, you can also see suggestions for people that you might want to follow. On top of that, you can view any messages that others have sent you.

Adding More Than One Spot to Your Journey on Google Maps

Besides going from point A to B, Google Maps makes it easy to add multiple stops to your route. You might want to use this feature if you’re going on a road trip and you’d like to add some viewing spots on the way to your destination, and the same goes if you’re traveling and want to stop somewhere to eat.

On the main screen, you can go to the three dots icon and select Add stop. You can have as many as 10 stops in total.

Saving Home and Work Addresses

Adding places you frequently go to can save you a lot of manual work on Google Maps. In particular, you might want to add where you live and work.

To add your home and/or work address(es), expand the search bar and go to Home or Work. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to manually enter the address. Your address will automatically save once you’ve entered it and selected your choice.

Google Maps Is Comprehensive on iOS

As you can see, Google Maps for iOS has plenty of useful features that will help you get to the places you want to be. You can easily go from one place to the other by entering your end destination and choosing your starting location, and you can choose from multiple forms of transport to get there.

Google Maps is also excellent if you wish to compile a list of places to visit for an upcoming trip. Similarly, you can follow other people that you either find interesting – or you think have good advice.

When you use Google Maps, another benefit is that you can easily sync everything across multiple devices. So, if you wish to continue on your Mac, you’ll have hardly any problems.