How to Find Your Direction of Travel Using Google Maps

While Google Maps helps get directions, you’ll have to improvise if you’re off-road and can’t find your way home. If you are lost in a particular place, you can use Google Maps to find your way back to your starting point. That takes us to the focus of this guide. Below, we’ll be having a look at how to find your directions of travel using Google Maps.

This will only work if your Android or iPhone device includes a magnetometer that can use the Earth’s magnetic field to determine your direction of travel. The good news is that most latest Android and iPhone smartphones come equipped with a magnetometer, which helps in direction tracking.

Finding Your Direction Using Google Maps

Using the Google Maps app, you can easily find your direction of travel. While doing this, you’ll find a compass on the Google map. However, you won’t notice it if you just open the app. The compass will appear if you try to move the map manually using your fingertips. The compass will point you in the right direction. Once you’ve figured out one path, you’ll be able to figure out the rest.

Also read: How to Check Traffic on Google Maps

Generally, the compass on Google Maps has two needles that move as you’re moving the map with your fingertips, The North direction is indicated by the red needle on the compass. It signifies that the red needle is pointed north in whatever direction it is pointing. The gray needle, on the other hand, denotes the direction of travel to the south.

However, your location is highlighted by a large blue dot with a light shadow on the Google Maps app. This shadow is pointing in the same direction as you are. As a result, determining your trip route becomes easier.

While the compass is displayed on the screen, you can tap it to make it just point north. The letter ‘N’ with an arrow mark will appear on the compass. This will assist you in thoroughly confirming the directions.

You only need to know which way is north and which way you are facing. Then, using Google Maps, you can easily determine your direction of travel. With that put in place, you can as well figure out the East, West, and South directions once you’ve figured out the North.

Final Words

There you have it! That completes everything you need to know on how to find your direction of travel using Google Maps. This info will come in handy if you find yourself in an unfamiliar location and you’re unsure of the direction to go. You can use the maps on Apple iPhones as well as Android phones to find directions. After all, there isn’t much of a difference in map compass functionality on Android and iOS devices.