Why can’t I hear voice directions on Google Maps?
Google Maps has a helpful voice directions feature that provides turn-by-turn navigation guidance by speaking directions aloud. This allows drivers to stay focused on the road without having to glance down at the map. It also greatly assists pedestrians, especially those who are visually impaired, to navigate unfamiliar areas.
However, sometimes Google Maps users find that voice directions are not working for them. They have the setting enabled, but cannot hear spoken directions come through their device speakers. This can be frustrating when relying on the voice guidance to reach a destination.
Common Causes
There are a few common reasons why you may not be able to hear voice directions from Google Maps on your Android or iOS device:
One of the most frequent causes is having voice directions disabled in the Google Maps settings. You can go into Settings > Navigation and enable “Voice guidance” to turn voice directions back on. Sometimes the toggle gets switched off accidentally, so it’s worth double checking.
Another reason could be your device’s volume is set too low. Make sure to turn up your device’s volume, as well as the volume levels within the Google Maps app specifically. The voice guidance won’t come through if it’s muted or barely audible.
Issues with your phone or car speaker can also prevent voice directions from playing properly. Your speaker may be damaged or functioning incorrectly. Try using headphones or a bluetooth speaker to see if that fixes the problem. If the voice still doesn’t come through, that points to a larger speaker malfunction.
Voice Directions Setting
The most common reason you may not be hearing voice directions from Google Maps is that the voice setting is turned off. Google Maps has a specific setting that allows voice directions to be played aloud during navigation. This needs to be enabled in order for the app to read directions to you.
To turn on the voice setting in Google Maps:
- Open the Google Maps app on your Android or iOS device
- Tap on your profile icon in the top right
- Go to Settings > Navigation settings
- Toggle on “Voice guidance” to enable spoken directions
Once this setting is turned on, you should hear voice prompts and directions during navigation in Google Maps. Make sure your device volume is also turned up. If voice still does not work, there may be another issue causing the problem.
For more help troubleshooting voice issues, see this Google support article.
Volume Issues
One common reason you may not be able to hear voice directions on Google Maps is because your phone’s media volume is set too low. The volume for voice navigation in Google Maps is controlled separately from your phone’s ringer volume.
To increase the volume for voice directions, you need to raise the media volume on your phone when navigating with Google Maps. On iPhone and iPad, you can press the volume buttons on the side while navigating to adjust the media volume higher [1]. On Android devices, pressing the volume keys during navigation should control the navigation volume [2].
If you have an iPhone or Android phone connected to your car stereo over Bluetooth, you may need to increase the volume on your car stereo as well. Check that the volume on both your phone and car stereo are at adequate levels to hear voice navigation clearly.
Speaker Problems
One potential cause of not hearing voice directions on Google Maps is issues with your device’s speaker. If the speaker on your phone is broken or damaged, voice directions may not come through properly or at all. According to Google’s support page, you should first check that your device’s volume is turned up and not muted.
If adjusting the volume does not resolve the issue, your phone’s speaker may need to be repaired or replaced. Phone speakers can wear out over time or stop working if exposed to moisture or damage. Inspect your phone’s speaker to check for cracks, holes, or other signs of damage. You may need to take your phone to a repair shop to diagnose and fix speaker issues.
As an alternative, you can route Google Maps voice directions to external speakers. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to your vehicle’s audio system, a wireless speaker, or headphones. Just make sure you only use external speakers in a safe and legal manner while driving. This allows you to hear voice navigation even if your phone’s built-in speaker is having problems.
Background Noise
Background noise in the car or environment can make it difficult to clearly hear Google Maps voice directions. Music, conversations, engine noise, and other ambient sounds may drown out the audio from your device speakers.
Try reducing background noise by turning down music and asking others in the car to avoid loud talking when directions are being given. Using noise-cancelling headphones or routing the audio through your car’s speakers via Bluetooth or an audio cable can also help minimize interfering sounds.
If background noise is a persistent issue, consider enabling pause/resume music options in your map settings which will briefly mute the music when voice guidance starts. You can also adjust the guidance volume in settings relative to your main volume to make directions louder than the ambient noise level.
Some users have reported background noise triggers making directions hard to hear even in quiet environments. Checking for app permissions, device damage or software issues may help resolve this. Overall, mitigating background noise as much as possible creates the optimal conditions for clearly hearing Google Maps voice guidance.
Network Connectivity
A poor cell or data connection can disrupt voice directions in Google Maps. If you have a weak signal or an unstable internet connection, the voice directions may cut in and out or stop working entirely (source).
To check your network strength, look for the signal bars or data icon in the status bar at the top of your screen. Full signal bars indicate a strong connection, while empty or missing bars show a weak connection. You can also open Settings and check the signal strength reading under Mobile Data or Wi-Fi.
Try moving closer to a window or stepping outside to improve your signal strength. Disabling Wi-Fi so your device uses mobile data can also help. Restarting your device may allow it to reconnect to the network and restore voice directions.
App Permissions
One of the most common reasons for Google Maps voice directions not working is the app lacking microphone permissions. Google Maps needs access to your device’s microphone in order to provide voice navigation and transcribe your voice searches.[1]
To enable microphone access on Android, go to your phone’s Settings > Apps & Notifications > Google Maps and toggle on Microphone access. For iOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and ensure Google Maps is enabled.
Without microphone permissions, Google Maps voice features simply won’t work. So it’s essential to check this setting if you suddenly lose voice direction capabilities.
Device Compatibility
One of the most common reasons you may not be able to hear voice directions on Google Maps is that your device may not be compatible with the feature. Google Maps voice navigation is only supported on relatively newer devices.
The voice navigation feature requires a device with an embedded GPS sensor and data connection in order to provide accurate turn-by-turn directions. Older devices without these capabilities will not be able to provide voice-guided driving, walking, bicycling or transit directions.
In general, most modern smartphones running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or higher or iOS 12 or higher should support voice-guided directions on Google Maps. Some specific devices confirmed to be compatible include:
- iPhone 6 or newer running iOS 12 or higher
- Recent Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, LG, Motorola, OnePlus phones running Android 6.0 or higher
If you’re unsure whether your device supports voice navigation, check the specifications or user manual. You can also try enabling voice directions in the Google Maps settings to see if the feature is available.
According to Google’s support page, voice navigation is not available on Android Wear or Android Auto. So if you are using one of those platforms, you will not be able to get voice directions.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some common troubleshooting steps to try if you can’t hear voice directions in Google Maps:
- Make sure the volume on your device is turned up and not muted (see source).
- Verify the voice setting is enabled in the Google Maps app (see source).
- Increase the volume for Google Maps in your device’s settings.
- Check for speaker or headphone problems and test other audio apps.
- Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
- Confirm Google Maps has microphone permissions enabled.
- Restart the Google Maps app and your device.
If you still can’t get voice directions after trying these basic steps, your device may not be compatible. You can contact Google Support for help determining if an issue with your specific device model is preventing voice directions from working properly.