How to Use Location and Navigation Services on the Android Phone

Having an Android phone is useful for so many things, and one of them is navigation. I have used this feature countless times to find my way as I am driving both locally and on long distances. The simplest app to use, which comes pre-installed on many Android phones, is Google Maps with Navigation. This tutorial will show you how to find and install Google Maps with Navigation, and then use the app to navigate to your destination.

Install Google Maps with Navigation

If it is not already on your Android phone, get Google Maps with Navigation by doing the following:

1. Go to “Play Store”

2. Search for “Maps”

3. Select “Maps” by Google Inc.

4. Select “Install.”

Set Permissions for Google Maps with Navigation

Before using Google Maps with Navigation, you have to make sure that you have given your phone permission to use location services provided by Google.

1. Go to “Settings”

2. Go to “Location and Security”

3. Enable “Google location services”

4. Enable “Standalone GPS services”

Using Google Maps with Navigation

Once you have set the proper permissions, then you can go ahead and use your Google Maps with Navigation app. The app will simply show up in your phone as “Navigation.”

1. Go to “Apps”

2. Select “Navigation”

3. Choose to “Speak destination” or “Type destination”

4. If there are multiple navigation systems available on your phone, for example the navigation provided by your service provider and “Navigation,” you will get a dialogue box that says “Complete action using…”

5. “Complete action using Navigation”

6. The navigation screen will appear and will tell you to “Follow the Route”

7. There are some useful features that can be enabled or disabled according to your preferences. To find these features, select the three vertical lines on the lower right hand side of your screen.

8. The “Route and Alternatives” feature will show you the complete route, as well as allow you to select alternative routes to do things like avoid highways or tolls.

9. The “Directions List” gives a list of directions that can be read by a passenger in the car, but should not be used while driving as they require attention to be on the phone.

10. The “Layers” option allows you to view the map, which initially appears in a GPS style, in multiple ways that include traffic, parking, satellite, gas stations, ATMs, and restaurants.

11. The “Turn off Voice” option allows you to disable the navigation voice. The navigation voice is necessary if you are driving alone, but if you have a passenger to help you navigate, you may elect to turn of this option. Keeping the voice option enabled does not prevent normal use of the phone.

12. The “Exit Navigation” should be used when you are done your trip.

This is part of our Android Basics/Tips and Tricks series. Great for anyone new to Android, or anyone just looking to learn a few tips and tricks! For all our Android Basics, head here.