Accessibility in Google Maps

You can use a screen reader, keyboard shortcuts, and other features to make your Google Maps experience more accessible. To find wheel-chair accessible transit and places, adjust your accessibility settings.

Use a screen reader

You can use Google Maps with your Android's accessibility features, including the TalkBack screen reader.

Use TalkBack

Important: The precise steps may vary for your device. To find detailed instructions for your phone or tablet, go to TalkBack setup help.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app .
2. Tap Accessibility TalkBack.
3. Turn on TalkBack.

Use detailed voice guidance

You can hear detailed audio announcements during walking navigation, such as the distance to your next turn.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
2. Tap your Profile picture or Initial Settings .
3. Tap Navigation. Swipe to the bottom.
4. Under "Walking options," turn on Detailed voice guidance.

Use screen reader with Lens in Maps

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
2. In the search bar, tap Lens .
3. Tilt up your phone and point your camera at buildings, stores, or signs around you.
4. To find places near you, browse around with your camera.
5. To know more details about a place, double tap the place.
6. Tap Category chips to search for places like “restaurants,” “cafe,” and more.

Tips:

• You can only use the screen reader with Lens in Maps if the TalkBack is on.
• Lens in Maps feature doesn’t support tablet size devices.

Change text size

You can adjust the size of the labels on the map to see them more clearly.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app .
2. Tap Accessibility. From here, you can:
   • Change font size: To make words larger, tap Font size, and then set your preferred letter size.
   • Change display size: To make items on your screen larger, tap Display size, and then set your preferred icon size.

Zoom in the map

You can zoom in and out of the map with one hand.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
2. Double tap a spot on the map, and then:
   • Drag down to zoom in.
   • Drag up to zoom out.

Move the map

You can move around the map with one hand.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
2. Drag the map with your finger.

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Find accessible transit

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
2. In the search bar, enter your destination.
3. In the list of results, tap the location you want.
4. Tap Directions Transit .
5. Tap Options.
6. Under "Routes," tap Wheelchair accessible Done.
7. Choose your route.

Find wheelchair-accessible places

Important: You can find wheelchair-accessible places on Google Maps in certain countries only.

Wheelchair accessibility attributes on Google Maps show if people in wheelchairs can access a business’s entrance, restroom, seating, parking, and elevator.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
2. Tap your profile picture or initial Settings App & display.
3. Turn on Emphasize accessibility info.
4. In the Maps search bar, enter any location, such as a restaurant or business.
5. In the results, tap a place that displays a wheelchair icon .
   • You’ll find a summary of the location’s accessibility attributes.

Update a business's accessibility attributes

For wheelchair accessibility, if a location has a missing or incorrect attribute, you can suggest the correct attribute:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
2. Search for a place or tap it on the map.
3. Tap About Edit features .
4. Tap an attribute to change it.
   • To check for additional attributes, you can tap More .
5. Tap Submit.

Submit accessibility info through reviews

To submit accessibility info about a recent visit to a business, write a review:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
2. Search for a place or tap it on the map.
3. Tap Reviews Rate and review.
4. In “Wheelchair accessibility,” add any relevant accessibility information.
   • You can also write additional details in the text box.

Understand wheelchair accessibility

You can edit a business's accessibility attributes. Learn more about it below:

Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Add this attribute if the entrance to the business is approximately 3 feet wide and doesn’t have steps. Three feet (one meter) is about the width for 2 people to stand comfortably side by side. If there’s one or more steps, there should be a permanent ramp, or at least a moveable ramp. Entryways with only revolving doors should be marked “No” for this attribute.

Wheelchair-accessible restroom

Add this attribute if the entrance to the restroom is at least one meter wide and can be reached without any steps up or down. If a person in a wheelchair wants to enter a stall inside the restroom, the stall’s entrance also needs to be one meter wide. Remember, one meter is about the width of 2 people comfortably side by side.

Wheelchair-accessible seating

Add this attribute if the main area of the business can be accessed without stairs. There should also be enough space for someone in a wheelchair to navigate to and sit at a table. If all the tables are high (for example, at standing level), the business isn’t wheelchair friendly.

Wheelchair-accessible parking

Add this attribute if there’s a parking spot specifically marked for those with accessibility needs. These spots are often marked with specific painting on the ground, placards, or signs, depending on your country and region.

Wheelchair-accessible elevator

Add this attribute if a place has multiple floors and there’s an elevator large enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

Get more help

For more Accessibility help, contact the Disability Support team.