How to turn off voice on Google Maps

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Voice guidance and Google Maps navigation make things much easier for you. However, you may want to disable this feature from time to time. Maybe you find it annoying or just want to follow the map without spoken instructions.

Fortunately, this feature can be disabled relatively easily. This article will explain everything you need to know and help you get the most out of the voice feature.

Disable voice in Google Maps on iPhone and Android

It is not difficult to disable Google Maps voice for iOS and Android users. Below are the steps to follow:

1. Open Google Maps.
   
2. Start a route to a destination of your choice.
   
3. Press start.”
   
4. Select the sound icon and tap the mute icon (the crossed out speaker). This completely disables Google Maps voice guidance.
   

Mute addresses when you make a call

You may receive a phone call while you are navigating somewhere. However, you will still hear voice instructions. If that is the case, you can mute the voice.

1. Open Google Maps.
   
2. Tap initial settings or your profile photo.
   
3. Tap “Navigation Settings.”
   
4. Turn “Play voice during phone calls” on or off.
   

Choose to mute, unmute, or listen to alerts

1. Being able to control the Google Maps Voice feature means you can turn it on and off as needed. Open Google Maps on iPhone or iPad.
2. Start navigation.
   
3. Tap “Sound” at the top of the screen (right).
   
4. Tap “Mute” if you do not want to receive alerts or spoken instructions.
   
5. Tap “Alerts” to get updates on accidents, construction or traffic.
   
6. Tap “Sound” to hear step-by-step instructions and updates.
   

Why people disable voice on Google Maps

Voice guidance is an important navigation tool. However, it can be irritating at times. The voice function can interrupt your music, for example. You may also be surrounded by noisy people in the car, making it impossible to hear the voice guidance.

Using navigation in the Google Maps app

Google Maps has altered the way people travel. Offering more than just directions, you get real-time traffic information to help you find a suitable route and avoid delays.

By activating voice navigation, things get even better. You can hear everything while you’re on the move, including traffic alerts. You get information about the best lanes and when it’s time to turn. If a better route is available, you will also be notified.

Here’s how to use navigation on your tablet or phone:

1. Navigate to GPS and turn it on.
2. Allow Google Maps to use your audio speakers and your current location.
   

Using navigation on iPad, iPhone and Android

For new users, navigation can be a blessing. If you want to start or stop the function, do the following:

1. Open Google Maps.
   
2. Tap or search for a location.
   
3. Tap “Directions.” You will see a person walking, a person waving, a bicycle, a bus and a car.
   
4. Choose a mode of transportation. Alternative routes are shown in grey.
   
5. To begin browsing, select “Start.” You may see a “Searching for GPS” pop-up. This means that your device is trying to receive a signal. For example, you may be in an area with no signal, such as a parking lot, tunnel, etc. With an active signal, navigation should start automatically.
   

To cancel or stop the started navigation, tap exit by dragging up from the bottom.

Important tips:

• Tap the compass if you want to see the map from your point of view.
• Add shortcuts to get directions to places you frequent, like your home or work.
• Share your progress while you navigate: A live location can be shared throughout your trip. Real-time location sharing is possible on Google Maps.
• Find a route: If you want, you can search for places along the way.

changing the voice

You can switch to another voice on your tablet or phone using text to speech.

1. Open your tablet or phone’s settings.
   
2. Select “Text to speech.”
   
3. Select the text-to-speech option you want under “Preferred Engine.”
   
4. Voice navigation will use what you select. Please note that this will also change the voice of the app.

Change voice navigation volume on iPad and iPhone

When you start browsing, changing the media volume is easy. Press the volume buttons to decrease or increase the volume. For example, if the screen shows “Ringer Volume”, press the volume buttons while the guide is speaking. Here’s how to use the settings to change the volume:

1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
   
2. Tap “Sounds & Haptics” and then switch using the buttons.
   

Change navigation voice volume

Adjusting the volume of the navigation voice allows you to choose what suits you best based on your location and surroundings. To adjust the volume, follow these steps:

1. On iPad or iPhone, open Google Maps.
   
2. Select the account circle or profile picture if already set.
   
3. Tap “Settings” followed by Navigation Settings.
   
4. Choose from softer, normal or stronger.
   

Change navigation language

If the current voice navigation language does not work for you, you can also change it.

1. Go to device settings on iPad or iPhone.
   
2. Select “General.”
   
3. Tap “Language & region.”
   
4. Tap “iPhone Language” and set another language.
   

Changing the language of your device affects the settings of other applications and menus. For example, street names may not be provided if the language is changed.

Activate voice guidance in Google Maps

Enabling voice guidance in the app can be helpful.

1. Open Google Maps on your device.
   
2. Select the account icon on your screen (top right).
   
3. Tap “Settings.”
   
4. Scroll to “Navigation settings” and tap.
   
5. Select “Muted” under Sound & Voice.
   

The voice guidance volume can be adjusted using “Guidance Volume” in the navigation settings.

Using Google Maps with voice prompts enabled

After making sure voice guidance is enabled, open Google Maps and ask for walking directions. For example: “Google, navigate to the bus stop by walking.”

You can customize your experience by requesting pit stops along the way. Instead of heading straight to the bus stop, you can request a stop at a restaurant: “Google, add a restaurant to my current route.”

If you make a request and Google Maps can find multiple locations that match the requested destination, it will show the first three matches closest to you. These will be displayed on the screen. The bad thing is that Google Maps does not read these options for you. To remedy this, you should make Alexa the default voice assistant. An important tip is to make your destinations as precise as possible.

In case you need walking directions, you must specify them. If you don’t, Google Maps offers driving directions. This is the default setting.

Voice commands

Typically, Google will provide you with regular updates on your progress. The best thing is that you can request more assistance using different voice commands:

• “How far is the next turn?”
• “How long until I reach my destination?”
• “What is my next step?”
• “Mute/unmute voice guidance”.
• “Exit navigation”.

Google Voice settings at your fingertips

Google voice navigation and guidance are essential for everyone. The app recommends the best route to take to help you avoid delays. By turning voice on and off, you can create the best experience for you and your passengers.