10 hidden Google Maps tips and tricks
Google Maps is more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It’s also a way to learn more about the world around you and even play games. For instance, Smarty Pins is a trivia game within Google Maps. It asks you geography-based questions, and you move your pin around the map to answer.
Of course, with convenience comes some luggage in the form of privacy concerns. Tap or click here for eight ways Google constantly invades your privacy. Luckily, you can protect yourself by turning off a few hidden settings.
Once you’re done following our privacy-protection guide, you can take full advantage of everything Google Maps has to offer. There are many hidden features you may not even know about. That’s why we’re sharing our top 10 hidden Google Maps tricks — as well as how to use them.
1. Send your exact location to someone
This is great if you’re trying to meet someone in a public place. Maybe you’re on one side of the park and your friend is driving up. Make sure they don’t waste time looking for you by sending them your exact location.
To do this, whip out your Android phone and open Google Maps. Set your current location by pressing a finger down where you are located on the map. That makes the address pop up. Just tap Share and Messages.
Of course, you can also do this on an iPhone, but the method is more complicated. First, open a text message. Then, tap the profile of the person you want to meet. Tap Send my current location. Your screen will look something like this:
As you can see in the final image, tapping Send my current location automatically sends your map and location to the person you’re texting. It even includes exact coordinates so they can’t possibly miss you.
Speaking of texting, you should probably know that some messaging apps are more secure than others. Some may even leave your texts exposed for the world to see! Tap or click here to find out which messaging apps you should avoid at all costs.
2. Go back in time
8 Apple Maps tricks you have to try
Apple Maps is far from Apple’s most popular app. In fact, it tends to be outright deleted or ignored while users turn to third-party apps like Waze or even Google Maps.
We understand the lack of love for the app — to a degree. Some apps have some pretty crazy features! Tap or click here to learn about navigation apps with celebrity voices. But there are plenty of perks in Apple Maps; they’re just not that well-known.