Along with access to notifications, calls, and health tracking, your Android smartwatch can be a handy add-on for navigating busy city streets through Google Maps. Cyclists and runners can leave their phones at home and follow turn-by-turn directions from their wrists. Whether you have aSamsung Galaxy Watch 6,Google Pixel Watch 2, or another Android wearable, use the steps below to set up Google Maps on Wear OS.
The app is pre-installed on most Wear OS watches. If not, download it from the Play Store on your watch or phone.
Check permissions for Google Maps on Wear OS
Before using Maps on your Wear OS watch, give the app the necessary permissions, including location access, so that the Wear OS Maps app works properly. When you first launch Google Maps on your smartwatch, it asks for the required location permissions. If you denied it accidentally, use the steps below to activate it.
Now, you’re set to use Google Maps on your smartwatch without glitches.
Can you use Google Maps on your smartwatch without your phone?
Yes, you can use Google Maps on your Wear OS smartwatch when not paired to your phone. However, for turn-by-turn navigation directions, you must have a watch that connects to an LTE network. You can also start navigation on your phone and get the directions on your watch, even if your phone is left behind.
If you have a Bluetooth-only Wear OS watch, Google Maps only provides turn-by-turn directions when the wearable is paired to your phone.
How to use Google Maps on your Wear OS smartwatch without your phone
Before you start, ensure your watch is paired with your phone or connected to the internet. Then, follow the steps below to use Google Maps on your smartwatch to get navigation directions.
The trick only works for Wear OS 3 smartwatches, not Wear OS 2 or older wearables.
Your Wear OS smartwatch vibrates when you need to take a turn or the Maps app needs your attention. If this behavior is annoying, scroll down from the directions page in the Maps Wear OS app and turn offVibrations.
Starting navigation on your Wear OS watch launches Google Maps on your phone. If you don’t want this to happen, open Google Maps on your watch, scroll to the bottom, and selectSettings. From there, tapMirroringand then turn offMirror on phone.
10 best Wear OS apps to install on your smartwatch
Looking for some apps to load up on your fancy new wrist computer? We’ve got you covered
How to mirror Google Maps directions from your phone to watch
When you use Google Maps navigation on your phone, you’ll get turn-by-turn directions on your watch for cycling, driving, and walking. By default, Google Maps doesn’t auto-launch on your Wear OS watch. Instead, an icon appears at the bottom of the watch face. Tap it to open Google Maps and see a preview of the directions.
You can change this behavior to auto-launch Google Maps on your Wear OS smartwatch.
You get navigation directions on your watch even when your phone is locked.
How to use Google Assistant to get Google Maps directions on your Wear OS watch
You can useGoogle Assistanton your watch to ask for directions. This is often faster than using the Maps app on your phone or watch.
The process above works even if your watch is not paired with your phone, provided your wearable has LTE connectivity. “OK Google” not working is acommon Wear OS problem, but solving it is relatively easy.
Public transit directions on Google Maps for Wear OS
Google recentlyannounced public transit support for Maps on Wear OS. From now on, when you search for a location in Wear OS, Maps displays public transit with driving, cycling, and walking. When you pick a relevant option, such as bus, train, or ferry, it displays routes with departure times.
Using Google Maps on Wear OS: Our observations
Here are our quick observations after using Google Maps on Wear OS.
Rely on your wrist for turn-by-turn navigation
Unlike Google Maps on your phone, the Wear OS version does not support Street View or location sharing. However, viewing live navigation from your wrist is handy, especially when cycling or walking down the street. Check out thetop Google Maps tips and tricksto get more out of the app.
