Use Google Maps on your Wear OS device (original) (raw)

Explore the map

You can use Maps to explore, orient yourself, and learn more about nearby areas. In the "Maps Tile" or on the "Maps home screen," tap the large Map button. To switch to compass mode, tap the button on the right. Learn more about location accuracy.

Find your location

When you open Maps on your watch, you can find your location as the blue dot and a compass needle that points north. To turn the compass on or off, tap the button on the right.

Pan & zoom on the map

• To pan the map: Use your finger to move the map around.
  • To return the map to your current location: Tap Location .
    * You may need to tap the map to find the Location button.
• To zoom on the map: Rotate the button at the side or the bezel of your watch. Alternatively:
  • To zoom out: Use a one-finger double-tap, then drag-up gesture.
  • To zoom in: Use a one-finger double-tap, then drag-down gesture.

Change map orientation

To change the map orientation, tap the button on the right.

• This switches between north up orientation, and compass heading up orientation.

Get directions on your watch

Important:

• To keep navigation active, turn on notifications for Maps on Wear OS.
• These steps only apply to Wear 3 and above. For watches with Wear 2, you can only use turn-by-turn directions in the Google Maps app on the paired phone.

To get directions on your watch, you can start navigation on your watch or on your paired phone. As you go along the route, your watch alerts for every turn. Maps currently supports navigation for cycling, driving, and walking. Public transportation directions are supported without turn-by-turn voice and haptics.

Search for locations

1. If you can't see your watch screen, wake up the watch.
2. Swipe up to find your apps and open the Maps app.
3. Select your home, work, or other recent locations.
   • To find another place, tap Search.

Get directions with your voice

1. To start Gemini or Google Assistant, say "Hey Google" or press and hold the designated button.
2. Say something like "Navigate to the Eiffel Tower by walking."
   • Walking navigation starts up on your watch.

Tip: If you don't find the destination you want, you might need to choose a more specific one.

After you start navigation, you can:

• Check a map view of the route.
• Find a route overview.
  • In the map view, repeatedly tap the button on the right. This switches between default orientation, north up orientation, and route overview.
• Find your remaining trip duration and the current time.
• Find all upcoming directions steps.
• Cancel your trip.
  • To stop directions and go back to the home screen:
    1. On your watch, tap in the map view.
    * If you're in the steps view, swipe left or swipe to the bottom.
    2. Tap Exit.

Use Search to find places

To open the Maps app, search menu, and find businesses, tap Search . You can use the keyboard and microphone to start a search, or find the phone number and address of a nearby business. Learn how to find places with Google Maps.

Use your watch without your phone nearby

You can start navigation on your watch without your phone nearby if you have:

• Offline maps for driving directions only
• LTE connection for driving, walking, and biking

You can also enable auto-launch and start navigation on your phone and then leave your phone behind. Once auto-launch is enabled and you leave your phone behind, your watch takes over navigation from your phone.

To start navigation from your watch:

1. On your watch, open the Maps app .
2. Search for your destination.
   • You can also tap the map to view your location and tap on a place.
3. To start your walk, bicycle, car, or public transit trip, tap the mode of transportation.
   • You can check your ETA from here.

Set up auto-launch on your watch

1. To auto-launch your navigation session on your watch, open the Maps app .
2. Tap Settings Auto-launch.
3. Turn on Auto-launch for each travel mode you want to enable auto-launch.

Tip: If you want a faster update rate on the watch and audio guidance to come from the watch itself instead of the phone, turn off Show on phone. If you turn off this feature, it consumes your watch battery more quickly.

Manage navigation for Maps on your watch

You can manage Maps navigation while you navigate through Settings.

Stop vibrations

1. On your watch, scroll to Settings.
2. Turn off Vibrations.
   • This setting is remembered for all your trips.

Stop auto-launch of directions on your watch

Directions automatically start on your watch when you start navigation in Google Maps on your phone when walking or biking.

To stop auto-launch of directions on your watch during navigation:

1. Tap from the map view or swipe left from the steps view.
2. Tap Don't show on watch.

If you're not navigating and want to stop auto-launch:

1. On your watch, open the Maps app .
2. Swipe to the bottom of the home screen.
3. Tap Settings Auto-launch.
4. To stop navigation auto-launch when you drive, cycle, and walk, select the modes that you want to turn off:
   • Driving
   • Cycling
   • Walking

Learn more about Maps on your watch

Important: This only applies to Wear 3 and above and some features may be different depending on your smartwatch's version. Learn how to check your watch's version.

• Power-saving mode can interfere with Maps.
• Maps on your Wear device uses the distance unit that's on your paired phone.
• The latest Terms of Service is available in the companion app setting on your phone. You may notice some discrepancy in Terms of Service provided by the watch manufacturer.
  • If there's a discrepancy, refer to your phone’s companion app for the latest and most accurate Terms of Service.

Related resources

• Set up Gemini or Google Assistant on your watch
• Google apps that work with Wear OS

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