How to Use Google Maps for Directions and Places

A clear, senior-friendly guide to using Google Maps on your phone to find places and get turn-by-turn directions.

At a Glance

Open Google Maps

~15s

Tap the white icon with a red-and-yellow map pin on your home screen. The map opens centered on where you are, shown by a blue dot.

Search for a place

~15s

Tap the search bar at the top that says "Search here." Type what you are looking for — a store name, an address, or something like "coffee near me." Tap the blue Search key.

Pick your destination

~15s

Results appear as red pins on the map and in a list at the bottom. Tap the place you want. A card shows the name, hours, phone number, and reviews from other customers.

Tap the Directions button

~15s

On the place's card, tap the blue Directions button. Google Maps calculates the best route. Pick your travel type at the top: car, transit, walking, or bicycle.

Start the turn-by-turn voice

~15s

Tap the blue Start button at the bottom. A voice reads each turn out loud. The map follows you as you drive. The estimated arrival time shows in the bottom-left.

Pull over to a gas station or rest stop

~15s

While driving, tap the magnifying-glass icon on the right side of the screen. Pick from Gas stations, Restaurants, Rest stops, or Coffee. Google Maps shows what is along your route.

End the trip or recenter the map

~15s

To stop directions, tap the red X Close button at the bottom. If the map scrolls away from your location, tap the compass arrow in the bottom-right to snap back to your current position.

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Google Maps is the most-used navigation app in the United States. It is free, works on both iPhone and Android, and can show you maps, give turn-by-turn driving directions, and even let you peek at what the front of a building looks like before you go.

You probably already have Google Maps on your phone — on Android, it is pre-installed, and on iPhone, most people download it from the App Store. The icon is a small diamond-shaped pin in red, yellow, green, and blue on a white background. If you do not see it, search for "Google Maps" in your app store and tap Get or Install.

Using Google Maps costs nothing. It does need an internet connection, either through Wi-Fi at home or cellular data while you are out. Driving directions use about as much data as listening to music. If you are worried about data, you can download an offline map of your area under your account menu — then directions work even with no signal.

The first time you open Google Maps, it will ask to use your location. Tap "Allow While Using App." Without this, the app cannot know where you are, so directions will not work. You may also be asked to sign in with a Google account (the same one you use for Gmail). Signing in is optional, but it lets you save favorite places and your home address.

One everyday tip: you can pinch the screen with two fingers to zoom in and out. Two fingers spreading apart zooms in. Two fingers pinching together zooms out. This helps when the map feels too crowded or too far away.

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