Waze

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Waze is a free driving app, owned by Google, that gives you turn-by-turn directions and warns you about traffic jams, accidents, hazards, police and speed cameras. Much of that comes from other drivers, who report what they see as they go.

The AI part is new: with Talk to report, you can tell Waze what you see in your own words, such as "There's a broken-down car in the left lane", and it adds a report to the map, sometimes asking a quick follow-up question. Google says this uses its Gemini AI. Waze works on iPhone and Android phones, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

What You Can Use It For

• Beating the traffic. Waze changes your route as jams and road closures are reported, and you can ask it to avoid toll roads.
• Telling others about a hazard. Tap the report button and say what you see. You don't need to remember any special words.
• Letting family know when you'll arrive. Use Share drive to send a link that shows your progress and arrival time.

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 Waze and check it's made by Waze. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. Allow Waze to use your location. You can sign in to save your home and favourite places, but you can also just start driving.

Your First Drive

1. Tap the search bar and type an address or a place name.
2. Tap the place, then tap Go now. To compare routes first, tap View routes.
3. To add a stop on the way, tap the arrival time bar at the bottom, then Add a stop.
4. To finish, tap the arrival time bar and choose Stop.

Turning On Talk To Report

1. Open Waze and tap the menu button.
2. Tap Settings, then Voice and sound.
3. Turn on Talk to report, and allow Waze to use the microphone if it asks.
4. When you're driving, tap the report button and say what you see. Waze says this may not be available in every country.

Things To Try Typing

After tapping the report button, say something like:

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy. Waze shows some adverts on the map.

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

Checked 29 October 2026 on the official Waze FAQ, which says the app is free to download and use on phones, CarPlay, Android Auto and cars with it built in.

Privacy And Safety

• What it keeps. Waze saves places you navigate to in your navigation history and recent locations. To see or delete them, tap the menu, then Settings, then Privacy.
• Your username and mood can show on the map to other drivers. Turn on Go invisible in the same Privacy menu if you'd rather not appear.
• Depending on your phone settings, Waze can check your location even when you're not using it. You can change this in your phone's location settings.
• Set your route before you set off, and only talk to Waze or tap the screen when it's safe and legal where you live.
• 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

• Free, with live warnings from millions of other drivers.
• Talk to report means fewer taps while you drive.
• Speed limit warnings and a speedometer can help you keep to the limit.

Watch-Outs

• Reports come from other drivers and can be out of date.
• It needs mobile data to plan routes and get live traffic.
• It runs the battery down quickly, so keep your phone on a car charger.
• Waze is for driving only. For walking or public transport, use Google Maps.

Similar Tools

• Google Maps: directions and places.
• Gemini: Google's assistant, handy if you use Gmail or an Android phone.
• Siri and Apple Intelligence: built into iPhones, iPads and Macs.

Common Questions

Is Waze free?

Yes. The official Waze FAQ says it's free to download and use on iPhone, Android, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It shows some adverts.

Is Waze better than Google Maps?

Both are owned by Google. Waze is built only for driving, with live reports from other drivers. Google Maps also covers walking, buses, trains and finding places.

How do I report something by talking?

Turn on Talk to report in Settings, then Voice and sound. While driving, tap the report button and say what you see. Waze may ask a follow-up question.

Does Waze work in the UK?

Yes. Waze works in the USA, the UK and many other countries. Talk to report may not be available everywhere yet.