Google Maps Live View is an incredible tool that uses augmented reality to help make walking directions more accessible and dynamic on Android phones and iPhones. Whether you're exploring a new city or simply trying to find your way around your local area, Live View can help you find what you're looking for. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you through how to use Google Maps Live View and all its features.
- Getting Started with Google Maps Live View
- To get started with Live View, follow these simple steps:
- Open Google Maps on your Android phone, iPhone, or iPad and search for your destination.
- Tap on "Directions" and then select "Walking" mode.
- Next to the blue "Start" button, find and tap the "Live View" button.
If you're using an iPhone, you'll need to enable camera access. If you're using an Android phone, you'll need to allow Maps to take pictures and record videos while using the app.
Point your phone camera around to locate your surroundings, focusing on buildings, landmarks, and street signs.
Once Live View recognises your position, it will augment your surroundings with arrows to guide you in the right direction. You can hold your phone vertically to continue using Live View or swap to a horizontal view to return to 2D map view.
Using Google Maps Live View to Find Nearby Places
If you don't want to use the Directions tool and simply want to check where a nearby business or restaurant is, select it on the map and swipe down the informational menu that appears to show a full map view. The Live View button should appear in the bottom right. Tap it and point your phone at your surroundings.
This will enable your phone to show you which direction the landmark is, how far away it is, and if it's somewhere above ground level. You can then switch to Directions mode if necessary.
Orienting Yourself and Improving Tracking with Google Maps Live View
Google Maps Live View is not just helpful for finding directions; it can also help you orient yourself and locate nearby businesses. Here's how:
Tap the camera icon inside the Search bar next to your profile picture.
Give camera permissions if you haven't already, and then orient yourself with the nearby businesses and landmarks.
In addition to your AR view, you'll see a "Find places near you" menu that shows nearby restaurants, shopping options, ATMs, and other Maps categories within a 5-minute walk.
Tap one, and an on-screen prompt will point you "this way" until you're facing the nearest option. You can then see how far away it is and, if necessary, tap the location to read reviews or pull up directions.
Calibrating Google Maps Live View
If you're not getting the best location data, possibly because buildings or other nearby obstacles are blocking the signal, you can calibrate your location using Live View.
Tap the blue button signifying your current location. A "Your Location" view should appear, and you may also see a "Location accuracy is low" warning.
Tap the "Calibrate" button.
Point your phone at nearby buildings, landmarks, and street signs.
How to Find People and Where Google Maps Live View Works
Google Maps Live View is an excellent tool that can help you locate not only businesses but also people. However, this feature is currently only available on Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones. Here's how to find people using Live View:
Tap your profile picture and then select "Location Sharing" from the subsequent menu.
If a Google contact has shared their location with you, that contact should appear here. Tap it. You can also tap a contact and request that they share their location.
Tap Live View and calibrate your surroundings.
Once you've done this, Google Maps will use the compass to direct you towards that person, telling you how far away they are and how to get to them.
Where Google Maps Live View Works
Google Maps Live View is a great tool, but it requires certain conditions to work.
Here's what you need to know:
Outdoor Areas
To use Live View, you must be in a well-lit outdoor area where the camera can recognize nearby buildings or street signs. Additionally, it must be somewhere with a mapped Street View, which Google stitches together with footage from its fleet of cars mounted with 360º cameras.
Not every location has a full Street View map created; this link shows where Google is currently mapping, so you can check if your area is getting the Street View treatment soon. Specific tools like searching with Live View may not work where you live, regardless of Street View and the lighting conditions.
Indoor Areas
Google also introduced "Indoor Live View" in 2021, and it has since expanded the feature. You'll mainly find that it works in airports, train stations, and malls, though there's no guarantee your local spot will be supported unless you check for yourself.
Some malls in Tokyo, Zurich, and some U.S. cities like Chicago, Long Island, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle had the feature in 2021, and we assume it's come to more American malls since then. Google also promises to bring Indoor Live View to Barcelona, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Paris, Prague, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Taipei in 2023.