Fix voice navigation problems

When you navigate to a place, you can hear voice directions. Learn how to fix voice navigation problems on your mobile devices.

Hear directions through your phone instead of Bluetooth

Bluetooth devices don't always connect easily. If you're having trouble hearing Maps instructions through your Bluetooth speakers, play Maps audio through your phone's speakers instead. You can choose which speakers to use in Google Maps settings.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, turn off Bluetooth.
2. Open the Google Maps app .
3. Tap your profile picture or initial  Settings   Navigation settings.
4. Turn off Play voice over Bluetooth.

Fix other navigation problems

Step 1: Turn on your device’s volume.

• Make sure that your device’s volume is on and not muted. After you start navigation, turn up your volume.

Step 2: Make sure voice is turned on in the Maps app.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
2. Start navigation.
3. In the top right, you'll see the volume setting. It'll be either:
   • Sound
   • Mute 
   • Alerts 
4. To hear sound all the time, tap the volume setting and switch to Sound . Google Maps should start talking.

Step 3: Turn up the volume in the Maps app.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
2. Tap your profile picture or initial  Settings   Navigation settings.
3. Choose Louder.

Step 4: Switch to your car speakers.

• You can hear voice navigation from your car speakers using Bluetooth or a USB cable.

Use Bluetooth

1. On your iPhone or iPad, turn on Bluetooth.
2. Pair your iPhone or iPad to your car.
3. Set the source for your car's audio system to Bluetooth.
4. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
5. Tap your profile picture or initial  Settings   Navigation settings.
6. Turn on Play voice over Bluetooth.
7. Start navigation.

Use a USB cable

1. Set the source for your car’s audio system to USB.
2. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
3. Tap your profile picture or initial  Settings   Navigation settings.
4. Turn off Play voice over Bluetooth.
5. Connect your device to your car with the USB cable.
6. Start navigation.

Note: Use a charging-only USB cable or a power adapter that’s connected to an outlet or cigarette lighter.

Step 5: Download voice directions

• Sometimes voice directions aren’t downloaded or must be updated on your device. When this happens, you’ll hear a chime instead of voice directions.
  1. Make sure you're connected to the internet. If you have a strong internet connection, voice directions download faster.
  2. Get directions.
  3. Use the Google Maps app as you normally would. Voice directions are downloaded while you have the Maps app open.
  4. When the voice directions are done downloading, you'll hear directions instead of chimes when navigating to a place.