Where to find the voice settings

Google Maps lets you switch between different voices for turn-by-turn directions. On your phone, open Google Maps and tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner. Select Settings, then tap Navigation settings. You'll see an option called Voice selection — tap that to hear and pick from the available voices.

The voices available depend on your phone's operating system and language. Android phones typically have more voice options than iPhones, and you'll only see voices that match the language you've set for Google Maps. If you want a different language entirely, you'll need to change your Maps language first in the main Settings menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Voice settings are in Google Maps Settings under Navigation settings, not in your phone's main settings.
  • You can preview each voice before selecting it, so you can hear what the directions will sound like.
  • The voices available depend on your phone type and the language you've set for Google Maps.
  • Some phones let you use your device's system voices, while others are limited to Google's built-in options.
  • Your voice choice stays the same until you manually change it again.

Android phones: More voice options

Android users usually have the widest selection of voices. After you tap Voice selection in Navigation settings, you'll see a list with names like "Google UK English Female" or "Google US English Male." Each one has a play button next to it — tap the button to hear a sample of that voice reading directions.

Some Android phones also let you use voices from your device's text-to-speech settings. If you've installed additional voices through your phone's accessibility settings, Google Maps may be able to use those too. This means if you've downloaded a voice pack for another app, it might show up as an option in Maps as well.

iPhones: Limited but clear options

iPhones have fewer voice choices than Android phones because Google Maps uses Apple's built-in voice system. You'll typically see two or three options: usually a female voice and a male voice for your language. Tap the play button next to each one to hear how it sounds before you decide.

If you want more voices on an iPhone, you can change your phone's system language, which will give you different voice options in Maps. However, this changes the language for your entire phone, not just Maps. It's usually not worth doing just to get a different voice.

What happens when you switch voices mid-trip

You can change the voice while you're actively navigating, and the change takes effect when ready. The next instruction Google Maps gives you will use the new voice you selected. You don't need to restart your route or do anything else — just change the setting and keep driving.

If you're in the middle of a turn-by-turn direction and you switch voices, you might hear the new voice cut in partway through. This isn't a problem; it just means the old voice finishes its current instruction and the new one takes over for the next one.

Turning voice directions off completely

If you don't want to hear any voice at all, you can mute navigation in the same Navigation settings menu. Look for Voice volume or Sound and vibration and set it to silent or vibration only. This keeps the visual directions on your screen but stops the spoken announcements.

You can also lower the volume without turning it off entirely. Some phones let you adjust the navigation volume separately from your phone's main volume, so you can have Maps quiet while keeping other sounds at normal level.

Why you might not see all voices

Google regularly adds and removes voices, and not all voices work in all regions. If you're looking for a voice you've used before and it's gone, it may have been discontinued. You might also not see certain voices if your phone's language is set differently — a British English voice won't appear if your Maps language is set to US English.

Some older phones don't support all of Google's newer voices because they lack the storage space or processing power. If you have an older device and want more voice options, updating your phone's operating system sometimes unlocks additional choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a celebrity voice or custom voice in Google Maps?

Google has occasionally offered celebrity voices in certain regions, but these are temporary and not always available. Check your voice selection menu to see what's currently offered in your area. Custom voices that you record yourself are not supported in Google Maps.

Why does my voice sound different than my friend's?

Different phones and operating systems have access to different voice libraries. An Android phone might have five voices while an iPhone has two. Also, if you're in different countries or have different languages set, you'll see completely different voice options.

Will changing the voice affect my navigation accuracy?

No. The voice is purely for how directions are spoken to you. Changing voices doesn't change the route, the timing of announcements, or any navigation feature — only what you hear.

Can I have different voices for different routes?

Google Maps uses one voice setting for all your navigation. You can't assign a specific voice to a specific route. If you want to switch voices, you have to change the setting manually each time.

What if I can't hear the voice clearly while driving?

Try adjusting the navigation volume in Navigation settings under Sound and vibration. You can also enable Vibration so your phone vibrates when a direction is coming, giving you a heads-up before the voice speaks. If your car has Bluetooth, connecting your phone to your car's audio system usually makes voices clearer.