5 must-know Google Maps tricks you probably haven’t tried yet - Talk Android

You probably open Google Maps almost every day — to find a café, dodge traffic, or plan a weekend hike. But beyond the usual navigation tools, Google quietly hides a few clever features that can make your life much easier. Here are five of the best, from offline maps to augmented reality navigation, that even frequent users tend to overlook.

1. Split your screen with Street View

If you’ve ever wished you could check what a place actually looks like while browsing the map, this one’s for you. Google Maps lets you open Street View side by side with the regular map. Just drop the little yellow “Pegman” icon on a street and tap the split-screen option. You’ll see both the map and the real-world imagery at once — perfect for spotting landmarks or figuring out which café is on the corner before you even get there. When I tried this while navigating a maze of alleys in Lisbon, it saved me from walking in circles (and looking very lost).

2. Navigate without Internet

Yes, Google Maps works offline — but only if you plan. Before heading somewhere with a patchy signal (think mountain roads or rural holidays), download the area you’ll need. Tap your profile icon → Offline maps → Select your own map. The app stores that chunk of the map on your phone, so you can navigate without a connection. It’s beneficial abroad when you don’t want to burn through mobile data. According to Google, the feature’s been available since 2015, but many travelers still miss it.

3. Use Live View to get directions in augmented reality

This one feels like science fiction. Live View uses your phone’s camera and augmented reality (AR) to show big arrows and street names layered over the real world as you walk. Point your phone at the street, and Maps will guide you visually — no more guessing which side of the road you should be on. It’s brilliant for dense cities where streets stack at odd angles (looking at you, Tokyo). If the arrows disappear, you’re facing the right way.

4. Add missing roads to help the map improve

Sometimes Google’s famous mapping cars and trekkers miss a spot — especially in rural or newly developed areas. If you notice a road missing, you can actually draw it yourself. Open Maps on desktop, go to Edit the map → Missing road, and sketch the route. It’s not instant, since Google reviews every submission, but locals who contribute help keep Maps accurate for everyone. Think of it as crowdsourced cartography.

5. Switch on dark mode for a calmer view

Finally, let’s talk about dark mode. It won’t change how Maps works, but your eyes might thank you — especially during night drives. You can make Maps automatically switch to dark mode based on your system settings, or enable it manually in the app’s display options. It’s a minor tweak, but it adds a touch of comfort to late-night navigation sessions and even saves a bit of battery power on OLED screens.

From split-screen Street View to Live View AR, these features turn Google Maps from a simple GPS into a surprisingly smart travel assistant. Once you’ve tried them, it’s hard to go back — and you might look like the most tech-savvy person in the car next time you’re on a road trip.

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