Google Maps is Google’s flagship map and navigation app. Google Assistant is a virtual assistant built into Android and also available on iOS. Both are useful separately, but the integration of Google Assistant into Google Maps makes navigation easier and safer and unlocks additional features. Here’s how to use voice commands for Google Maps to get where you want to go quickly.

How Google Assistant Works in Google Maps

Google Assistant replaces the basic voice commands that Google Maps originally relied on. This integration means that you can fully control the Google Maps app by saying, “Okay Google,” followed by a command. It also means that you can access a ton of Google Assistant features without leaving the Google Maps app.

Here’s how to use Google Assistant in Google Maps:

  • Open the Google Maps app and start navigation as you would normally.
  • Say Okay Google.
  • When you see the four dots icon appear at the bottom of the Google Maps screen, Google Assistant is listening.
  • Ask Google Assistant a question, like find gas, or ask it to perform a function like text Mom.
  • Say call or text, followed by the name of a person in your contacts list, to initiate a phone call or text message. Say play, followed by a song, album, or genre of music, to play music without leaving the Google Maps app. There are many other commands to try.

Google Assistant executes your command without leaving Google Maps or interrupting your navigation. You can issue additional commands by activating Google Assistant again or continue with your route.

Open the Google Maps app and start navigation as you would normally.

Say Okay Google.

When you see the four dots icon appear at the bottom of the Google Maps screen, Google Assistant is listening.

Ask Google Assistant a question, like find gas, or ask it to perform a function like text Mom.

Say call or text, followed by the name of a person in your contacts list, to initiate a phone call or text message. Say play, followed by a song, album, or genre of music, to play music without leaving the Google Maps app. There are many other commands to try.

Why Use Google Maps Voice Commands?

Integrating Google Assistant with Google Maps provides a better, more robust, hands-free experience when using the navigation feature on compatible mobile devices.

The integration allows you to access Google Assistant without leaving the navigation screen. You can also perform tasks while the Google Maps navigation screen remains in place.

In some cases, asking Google Assistant to perform a task causes the Google Maps app to shrink down to a picture in picture (PIP) thumbnail size, while the requested information or app appears to take over. Returning Google Maps to full size in these situations is a simple matter of tapping the thumbnail or asking Google Assistant to resume navigation.

What Can Google Assistant Do in Google Maps?

Google Assistant can perform any function in Google Maps that would normally require you to take your eyes off the road and tap the screen. This includes basic commands like muting voice guidance, altering a route, changing your destination, finding the estimated time of arrival, and checking for traffic.

In addition to controlling navigation functions, Google Assistant can also perform a range of functions that typically require you to leave Google Maps. Some of the functions that Google Assistant can perform without leaving the navigation screen include:

  • Place calls and send text messages.
  • Locate gas stations, restaurants, and other places of interest.
  • Report on weather conditions.
  • Play music.
  • Access your calendar to provide information about meetings and appointments.

How to Use Google Assistant to Play Music in Google Maps

One useful feature that Google Assistant integration brings to Google Maps is the ability to play and control music during navigation. This allows you to request a genre, song, album, or artist while driving without exiting Google Maps.

Here’s how it works:

  • Open Google Maps and start navigation as usual.
  • Say Okay Google to activate Google Assistant.
  • Say play, followed by a music genre, song, album, or artist. For example, say play some jazz to generate a jazz playlist automatically.
  • The music app that’s set as the default launches without interrupting Google Maps. If you look in the status bar at the top of the screen, you’ll see the service’s icon.
  • Use Google Assistant to pause or stop the music, or swipe down on the status bar to access the mini player.
  • If you tap the mini-player, the music app launches with Google Maps in a small window in the corner of the screen. Tap the small Google Maps window to return it to full size.

Other Voice Commands You Can Try in Google Maps With Google Assistant

Google Assistant integration with Google Maps allows you to use voice commands to create a route and alter it along the way. This replaces and improves upon the basic voice commands that the Google Maps app was always capable of accepting.

Open Google Maps and start navigation as usual.

Say Okay Google to activate Google Assistant.

Say play, followed by a music genre, song, album, or artist. For example, say play some jazz to generate a jazz playlist automatically.

The music app that’s set as the default launches without interrupting Google Maps. If you look in the status bar at the top of the screen, you’ll see the service’s icon.

Use Google Assistant to pause or stop the music, or swipe down on the status bar to access the mini player.

If you tap the mini-player, the music app launches with Google Maps in a small window in the corner of the screen. Tap the small Google Maps window to return it to full size.

Here are some other navigation voice commands that work in Google Maps:

  • Mute voice guidance: Mutes turn-by-turn voice assistance.Unmute voice guidance: Resumes turn-by-turn voice assistance.Show traffic: Reveals any traffic problems on your route.Show satellite: Replaces the basic map view with a satellite image.Navigate (destination): Generates a route to whatever destination you request.

  • Show route overview: Zooms out the route map so that you can see the entire route.Show alternate routes: Provides alternative ways to get to your destination.What’s my estimated time of arrival (ETA): Provides an estimated time when you will arrive at your destination.Avoid (tolls/highways/ferries): Alter your route to avoid toll roads, highways, or ferries.Enable (tolls/highways/ferries): Alter your route to allow toll roads, highways, or ferries.

In addition to basic navigation commands, Google Assistant responds to a variety of other commands within Google Maps. In most cases, it can answer questions and perform associated tasks while navigation remains in full screen.

Say navigate home to get directions to your house, or say the name of a business. This command also works outside of Google Maps, in which case it launches Google Maps and creates a route.

Here are other Google Assistant voice commands you can try in Google Maps:

  • Call (name): Places a call to someone in your contacts list.
  • Send a text to (name): Starts a text message to someone in your contacts list.
  • What’s the weather like: Provides a summary of the local weather.
  • How’s the weather in (location): Provides a summary of the weather in another location.
  • Play (music): Plays a genre, artist, album, or song of your choice.
  • What’s the closest (point of interest): Provides the nearest location that fits your request. For example, What’s the closest hotel provides the hotel that is closest to you.
  • When’s my next meeting: Accesses your calendar and provides the time of your next scheduled meeting.

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