Google Maps should offer audio guidance when navigating. Voice guidance helps drivers and cyclists maintain their eyes on the road, and Google Maps voice navigation works reliably.
Slow internet, wrong navigation settings, and intermittent system issues might destroy functioning. Google Maps won’t talk or give voice directions. Try these 12 remedies.
Install Voice Directions
Voice or Google Maps chime? Google Maps still needs to download or update audio directions.
Google Maps audio directions require strong internet, and Google Maps initially requires cellular data or Wi-Fi. Keep Google Maps open for audio recommendations.
Voice directions should start soon. Google Maps finishes downloading. If the problem persists, try these solutions.
Related: How to Find Elevation on Google Maps
Increase Volume Level
Google Maps voice navigation won’t work if your smartphone is muted. Increase the navigation voice volume on your phone by pressing Volume Up. Increase Google Maps’ loudness using your car’s volume control if your phone is connected to the speaker.
Enable Voice Navigation
Google Maps lets you mute traffic updates, turn-by-turn instructions, and warnings. The navigation interface unmutes alarms faster.
Tap the top-right speaker icon when Google Maps begins traveling. To make Google Maps verbalize all navigation warnings, select Unmuted (the usual speaker icon) in the far right corner.
Google Maps’ three loudness settings:
- Mute Alerts: The crossed-out speaker mutes navigation sounds and alarms.
- Hear Alerts Only: The exclamation mark speaker symbol (Alerts). Mute turn-by-turn direction notifications.
- Unmuted: The standard speaker icon (Sound) unmutes all navigation notifications and audio.
Google Maps’ sound & voice navigation options let you customize navigation warnings.
Google Maps Alert: Unmute (Android and iOS)
- Open the app to access your profile photo in Maps (or Google Maps on iOS).
- Go to the Settings tab.
- Choose Navigation settings. Tap Navigation under iOS’s “Getting Around” menu.
- Unmute the “Mute state” setting.
Turn On or Off Play Voice Over Bluetooth
Bluetooth-connected phones can speak Google Maps navigation. Enable “Play voice over Bluetooth” on your Bluetooth-connected phone. Google Maps won’t talk otherwise.
Even without Bluetooth, the function occasionally disrupts Google Maps voice navigation. Removing the option fixed Google Maps’ non-talking guidance for certain iPhone users.
Force Stop & Restart Google Maps
Force shutting an Android app restores certain functions. Force-close Google Maps and try again if voice navigation or other parts don’t work.
- Long-press the Maps app icon and hit info.
- Tap Maps in Settings > Apps & notifications > App details (or View All Apps).
Use Go Edition of Google Maps
Google Maps Go is a “lite” navigation software for Android phones with less memory. Download Google Maps Go if Google Maps breaks on your phone. Turn-by-turn navigation in Google Maps Go requires a companion app (Navigations for Google Maps Go). Both applications are faster than Google Maps.
Apple smartphones cannot use Google Maps Go. If none of these steps restore voice navigation, contact Google Maps Help. Try these Google Maps alternatives until you solve it.
