Google Maps is a necessary app, we’ve all probably used it during our lives, and if you haven’t, if you have a smartphone, you’re missing out! Google maps have a lot of functions that are very useful whether you’re on foot, using public transport or by car. Today we’re talking about the usage of Google maps strictly in cars, and get in-depth answers to how to connect Google maps to car bluetooth, and other things that may help you on your adventures. Connecting Google maps to car bluetooth is commonly a hassle among travel and automotive enthusiasts. It’s much easier to hear the audio from Google maps rather than constantly looking at your desired route. It’s hard to figure out sometimes so let’s get some solutions. It’s probably easier than you think.

How to Connect Google Maps to a Car Bluetooth?

Firstly, the answer to your problem may be just one minute away. When you open google maps, and click the icon with the three bars on the search bar, an options menu pops out. Go to settings, then open the Navigation tab. You should see an option called “Play voice over bluetooth”, and you should check if that option is enabled. Of course, you need to make sure that you select bluetooth as your audio source in the car. Listening to something other than bluetooth, radio for example, and still having the google maps instructions is in some cases impossible. Google maps is a necessary tool if you drive for long periods, especially if you are visiting that location for the first time, and you are unaware of your surroundings. If you’re using this feature while listening to music, the Google maps audio will not pause or mute the music while instructions are being given. This is good for some situations, but it can be a bit annoying. While you won’t miss your favorite part of the song, you might miss the Google maps instructions though. It could end up being a much bigger problem than just not hearing the part of the song. If you’re working with IOS ( iPhone or iPad) the process of connecting is similar. When you open Google maps, and set your destination, swipe up and it will open the Route Card. Open Audio and set the navigation volume. If you scroll down you will see the option to set the output device you want the navigation audio to play from. This process varies from vehicle to vehicle so there are some things you will need to figure out on your own.

Here’s a step by step of what your task of connecting your phone with your car via bluetooth should look like:

• Initiate the pairing on your cars stereo (it may ask you a few questions)
• Go to Wireless & Networks setting on your phone, activate and open bluetooth settings
• Select your stereo device (which is your car)
• In some cases it requires a PIN, and it’s most likely 0000 or 1234
• You may need to enable media audio

Some people have problems even though they have done the necessary steps required for it to work. Google maps has an option where you can listen to the radio, and receive the information Google maps is giving at the same time, if you have the play as bluetooth option enabled. But while in some cases it works, in some cases it does not. A commonly perceived reason for this is that the car stereo bluetooth system is different from your phone’s. It’s missing certain bluetooth protocols when the source is set to radio.

If none of these suggestions end up helping, which is highly unlikely I’d advise you to contact Google map’s customer service or have your audio system checked out. But before you go and spend money going to a mechanic try if other apps like Google maps work. Waze is a popular option. You should get this sorted out so you can enjoy the fruits without being in a rush to find a solution when you should be on the road. Spare yourself and get it done. It’s not that hard, you get your desired route, and solve everything out in a few minutes. The best part about it is, you’ll only need to do this once! It’s simple, easy, and you’ll never have to worry about it again.