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This article will show you how to use Google Maps on Wear OS watch. One of the easiest and most useful things you can do with your smartwatch is use Google Maps to get directions. This works especially well on Google’s Wear OS devices. There’s no better way to get turn-by-turn directions without taking out your phone, and the watch app has gotten a lot better since it came back for Wear OS 3. It now comes pre-installed on devices with the new Wear software, so you could use it without your phone if you wanted to.
But there are a few things you should know before you start using your wrist. Google just put out a big update for Wear OS smartwatches that will make them easier to carry around. With Google Maps and the wearable platform, you can now get turn-by-turn directions on your wrist. The best part is that the smartwatch doesn’t need to be synced with a phone to use this feature. This guide is here to help how to use Google Maps on Wear OS watch. We’ll tell you what you can and can’t do with the Google Maps app for Wear OS 3, as well as what you need to run it.
What is Google Maps?
Google Maps is a service on the Internet that gives detailed information about places and areas all over the world. Google Maps has more than just road maps. It also has aerial and satellite views of many places. In some cities, Google Maps has street views that are made up of pictures taken from cars. As part of a bigger web application, Google Maps offers a number of services. For example, a route planner gives directions to people who are driving, biking, walking, or taking public transportation from one place to another.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Get directions | Get turn-by-turn directions to your destination, whether you’re walking, biking, or driving. |
Find nearby places | Search for nearby places, such as restaurants, shops, and gas stations. |
Save your favorite places | Save your favorite places so you can easily find them later. |
Get real-time traffic updates | Get real-time traffic updates so you can plan your route accordingly. |
Send directions to your phone | Send directions from your watch to your phone so you can see them on a larger screen. |
Google play Store | Download Now |
iOS Store | Download Now |
Amateur astronomers can get images of the moon, Mars, and the rest of the sky through extra services. Google Maps is a location-searching tool that lets you geolocate a specific point, figure out routes, find the closest places of interest, or use Google Street View to see what a place looks like from street level. It was made in 2005, and at first it only worked on PCs with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. But its use has become more common since smartphones came out, and that’s when it became an important part of local SEO.
How to use Google Maps on Wear OS watch
- Open Google Maps on your Wear OS smartwatch.
- View the list of recently visited places and most frequently visited locations.
- Select your desired destination.
- Alternatively, use voice input or the keyboard to manually search for a location.
- Choose between walking, biking, or driving to the selected address.
- Cards display time estimates for each travel option.
- Accept the terms and conditions for first-time Google Maps navigation on Wear OS 3.
- Tap the icon at the bottom to switch between text view and Maps view.
- Scroll down and click “Preview route” for a full route view.
How to mirror Google Maps directions from your phone to watch
When you use Google Maps navigation on your phone, your watch will automatically give you step-by-step directions for walking, driving, or cycling. Google Maps doesn’t start up automatically on your Wear OS watch by default. Instead, the bottom of the watch face shows an icon. To open Google Maps and see a preview of the directions, you need to tap it. You can change this behavior to have your Wear OS smartwatch automatically open Google Maps.
- Wear OS smartwatch: Open Google Maps app.
- Scroll and select Settings.
- Tap “Auto-launch.”
- Set phone for automatic navigation during driving, walking, or cycling.
How to use Google Assistant to get Google Maps directions on your Wear OS watch
- Say “OK Google” to activate Google Assistant on your watch.
- Open the Google Assistant app from the app drawer if hotword detection is turned off.
- Ask the voice assistant for directions to your desired address using navigation. For example, “navigate to the city center.”
- Google Maps for Wear OS opens automatically, displaying transportation options and estimated time to reach the destination.
- Choose your preferred mode of transportation.
- Your Wear OS watch will guide you through the journey step by step.
Conclusion
On your Wear OS smartwatch, it’s easy to get step-by-step directions. Plus, if your smartwatch has GPS built in, you can do it with Wear OS without being connected to your phone. Here’s how to use Google Maps on your Wear OS smartwatch, both by voice command and by hand. The new version can be used if your Wear OS smartwatch supports standalone LTE connectivity with a SIM card, which is needed.
Questions and Answers
Google’s support page makes it clear that standalone Maps navigation is only for Wear OS 3 watches. You can start navigation right from your watch, or when you leave your phone behind, your watch will take over. The second one only works if mirroring is turned on and your watch is paired with an Android phone.
This means that every Android device acts as a data collector. Most access points stay in the same place and only cover a small area, about 100 meters around. This makes them great anchors for figuring out where you are without GPS.
If your phone is only set to “airplane mode,” anyone with access to its GPS can find out where you are. If you don’t want people and third parties to know where you are, you can turn off the GPS on your iPhone or Android.
You can use Google Maps on your smartwatch to get directions or find places nearby. You don’t need to pull out your phone to use Google Maps on your smartwatch. But if your smartwatch doesn’t have its own LTE internet connection, you’ll need to have your connected phone close by.