Fix voice navigation problems

When you navigate to a place, you can hear voice directions. Learn how to fix voice navigation problems on your mobile devices.

Step 1: Turn on your device’s volume.

• Make sure that your phone or tablet’s volume is on and not muted. After you start navigation, turn up your volume.

Step 2: Make sure voice is turned on in the Maps app.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app 👁 Maps
   .
2. Start navigation.
3. At the top right, you should see Sound 👁 Sound
   . If you don’t see this, tap Mute 👁 Mute
   👁 and then
   Sound 👁 Sound
   . Google Maps should start talking.

Step 3: Turn up the volume in the Maps app.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app 👁 Maps
   .
2. Tap your Profile picture or Initial 👁 Account Circle
   👁 and then
   Settings 👁 Settings
   👁 and then
   Navigation 👁 and then
   Guidance volume.
3. Choose Louder.

Step 4: Choose which speakers to use.

1. On your phone or tablet, turn on Bluetooth.
2. Pair your phone or tablet to your car.
3. Set the source for your car's audio system to Bluetooth.
4. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app 👁 Maps
   .
5. Tap your Profile picture or Initial 👁 Account Circle
   👁 and then
   Settings 👁 Settings
   👁 and then
   Navigation.
6. Choose an option:
   • To hear navigation from your car speakers, turn on Play voice over Bluetooth.
   • To hear navigation from your phone or tablet’s speaker, turn off Play voice over Bluetooth.
     • Notes:
       • On Google Maps for Android version 9.13 and up, you can play a test sound. To play a test sound, open the Google Maps app 👁 Maps
         👁 and then
         your Profile picture or Initial 👁 Account Circle
         👁 and then
         Settings 👁 Settings
         👁 and then
         Navigation 👁 and then
         Play test sound. You'll hear "This is what it will sound like when navigating with Google Maps."
       • If you want to charge your phone or tablet, use a charging-only USB cable or a power adapter. Connect it to an outlet or cigarette lighter.

Step 5: Download voice directions.

• Sometimes voice directions aren’t downloaded or must be updated on your phone or tablet. When this happens, you’ll hear a chime instead of voice directions.
  1. Make sure you're connected to the internet. If you have a strong internet connection, voice directions will download faster.
  2. Get directions.
  3. Use the Google Maps app as you normally would. Voice directions are downloaded while you have the Maps app open.
  4. When the voice directions download is complete, you'll hear directions instead of chimes when navigating to a place.