Google Maps

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Google Maps gives you directions, shows places nearby and tells you opening times and reviews. It now uses AI to answer questions about places and summarise reviews.

It works on phones and computers, and is free.

What You Can Use It For

• Getting around. Step-by-step directions by car, bus, train or on foot.
• Finding places. "Cafés with step-free access near me."
• Checking before you go. Opening hours and how busy it usually is.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for Google Maps and check it's made by Google LLC. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. On Android it's usually already installed.

Getting Directions

1. Tap the search bar and type where you want to go.
2. Tap Directions.
3. Choose car, public transport or walking at the top.
4. Tap Start to hear spoken directions.

On A Computer

1. Open your web browser and go to google.com/maps. Check the address carefully, because look-alike sites exist.
2. Type a place in the search box.

Things To Try Typing

Things to type into the search bar.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• Location history. Google Maps can keep a Timeline of where you've been. You can turn it off or delete it in the app's settings under Your data in Maps.
• Be careful sharing your live location. Only share it with people you trust, and switch it off afterwards.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Spoken directions while you walk or drive.
• Wheelchair-accessible routes on public transport in many places.
• You can make maps bigger by pinching to zoom.

Watch-Outs

• Opening times may be wrong. Ring ahead for important trips.
• Uses mobile data and battery.
• Fake business listings exist. Use official phone numbers.

Similar Tools

• Google Translate: translates words, speech and signs.
• Mindtrip: an AI trip planner with maps.
• Wanderlog: puts your whole trip on one map.

Common Questions

Is Google Maps free?

Yes, it's free.

Can it give spoken directions?

Yes. Tap Start after choosing your route.

Can I turn off location history?

Yes. Look under Your data in Maps in the app's settings.