Navigate like a pro: 7 Google Maps features you may have missed

A few months ago, Google introduced a new feature called "Glanceable Directions" that allows users to get directions to places without unlocking their phone. This feature lets you see an overview of your route without having to press the ‘Start’ button.

To enable the feature, open Google Maps on your phone and tap on the profile picture icon in the top right corner of the screen. Next, select ‘Settings’ and scroll down to tap on ‘Navigation Settings.’ On the screen that appears, enable the toggle labeled ‘Glanceable Directions,’ and you’re all set.

Ever struggled to find the entrance to a building? Google Maps can help with that. The tech giant recently introduced a new feature that automatically highlights the entrance to a building as you approach and helps you find nearby parking lots. This is especially useful for large buildings or when you're arriving at a location at night. However, this functionality will be available in the coming days.

Do you often forget where you parked your car or bike? Google Maps can help you save and locate your parked vehicle. To save your parking spot, simply tap on the blue dot that appears on the main screen right after you park. You will see an option labeled ‘Save parking,’ and your parking location will be saved until you remove it manually. To clear it, just tap on the saved location and press the ‘Clear’ button.

Last month, Google updated Maps with a new feature that lets you find EV charging stations near you easily. All you need to do is set the type of charger your vehicle uses and search for “electric vehicle charging stations near me” to see the nearest charging stations.

To set the type of charger, head over to the Google Maps settings, tap on ‘Electric vehicle settings’ and click on the ‘Add plus’ option to select from different types of plugs.

Did you know you can use Google Lens in Maps to find places of interest near you? The feature lets you quickly point your camera down a street to get information about nearby places like restaurants and cafes as well as opening hours, ratings, reviews and photos of a place. To use the feature, tap on the Lens button that appears on the right side of the search bar and point at a place to get more information about it.

In addition to checking the real-time travel time to a location, Google Maps can also help you estimate how long it will take to reach a destination at a specific time. To use this feature, set your starting point and destination, then tap on the three-dot menu on the right side.

Here, you will find an option labeled ‘Set depart or arrival time.’ Choose the time you want to leave or arrive, and Google Maps will show you how long it will take to reach your destination at that time.

Ever wondered where you were at a certain time in the past? Google Maps' timeline feature can provide insights into your locations and travel history since you started using the app.

To use it, tap on your profile picture in the top right corner and select ‘Your Timeline’ to view your travel history for today or a chosen date. Keep in mind that this data can sometimes be inaccurate.