How to update your home and work locations
Google Maps stores your home and work addresses so it can show you commute times, suggest faster routes, and give you directions without you typing an address. You can change these addresses anytime from your phone or computer — the changes sync across all your devices once you sign in with the same Google account.
The process takes about two minutes. On a phone, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture in the top right, select "Settings," then "Home" or "Work" under "Your places." On a computer, go to Google Maps, click your profile picture, choose "Settings," and find "Home" or "Work" in the left menu. Tap or click the address field, delete the old one, type the new address, and tap or click "Save."
Key Takeaways
- Your home and work addresses are stored in Google Maps under "Your places" and sync across all devices signed into your Google account.
- You can update either address in about two minutes from your phone or computer without affecting any other settings.
- Google Maps uses these addresses to show commute times on your home screen and suggest routes when you open the app.
- If you delete a home or work address, Google Maps stops showing commute information but keeps all your other saved places and history intact.
Changing your home address on Android or iPhone
Open the Google Maps app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Settings" near the bottom of that menu.
In Settings, scroll down to a section called "Your places." You will see "Home" and "Work" listed there. Tap whichever one you want to change. A card will open showing the current address with an edit button (usually a pencil icon). Tap that button to edit.
The address field will become active. Delete the old address completely and type the new one. As you type, Google Maps will suggest matching addresses. Tap the one you want from the list, or finish typing and tap "Save" at the bottom of the screen. The new address is now stored and will appear the next time you open Maps.
Changing your home address on a computer
Go to Google Maps in your web browser and make sure you are signed into your Google account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
On the left side of the Settings page, you will see a menu. Look for "Home" or "Work" under a section labeled "Your places." Click the one you want to change. The current address will appear in the main area with an edit option next to it.
Click the edit button (pencil icon) to open the address field. Clear the old address and type the new one. Google Maps will show suggestions as you type. Click the address you want from the list, or finish typing and click "Save." The change takes effect when ready and will sync to your phone within a few minutes.
What happens when you change your address
Once you save a new home or work address, Google Maps uses it right away. If you have the commute widget on your phone's home screen, it will update to show travel times from your new address. Any saved routes or directions you had planned will not be affected — they stay in your history.
Your saved places (like favorite restaurants or stores) and your location history remain unchanged. Only the home and work addresses themselves are updated. If you later want to see commute times from your old address, you would need to change the address back.
Deleting your home or work address
If you want to remove a home or work address without replacing it, follow the same steps to open that address in Settings. Instead of editing the address field, look for a delete button (usually a trash icon) near the address. Tap or click it, then confirm the deletion.
Once deleted, Google Maps will stop showing commute information for that location. The commute widget on your phone's home screen will disappear if you delete your home address. You can add the address back anytime by following the same steps and entering a new address.
Syncing across devices
Your home and work addresses sync automatically across all devices where you are signed into the same Google account. If you change your home address on your phone, it will appear on your computer within a few minutes. If you change it on your computer, your phone will update the next time it connects to the internet.
If your addresses are not syncing, check that you are signed into the same Google account on both devices. You can verify this by looking at your profile picture — it should show the same account name and picture on each device. If you are signed into different accounts, the addresses will not match.
Troubleshooting address changes that do not save
If you enter a new address and it does not save, make sure you tapped or clicked the "Save" button. Some phones require you to tap outside the keyboard first to make the Save button appear. If the button is not visible, try scrolling down in the address field or closing and reopening the app.
If the address still will not save, sign out of your Google account in Maps and sign back in. On a phone, go to Settings, find Google Maps, and select "Sign out." On a computer, click your profile picture and choose "Sign out." Then sign back in with your account. This usually fixes syncing problems.
If Google Maps does not recognize your address as valid, try typing it in a different format. For example, use the full street address with city and state instead of just a street name. You can also search for a nearby landmark or intersection and use that as your home or work location temporarily while you figure out the correct address format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one home or work address?
No. Google Maps lets you store only one home address and one work address at a time. If you need to switch between two homes or offices, you will need to update the address each time. Some people use the "Starred places" feature instead to save multiple locations they visit regularly.
Will changing my address affect my location history?
No. Your location history — the record of places you have visited — stays the same. Changing your home or work address only updates those two specific saved locations. Your past movements and visited places are not affected.
What if I do not want Google Maps to know my home address?
You do not have to add a home address. If you never enter one, Google Maps will not store it. You can still use the app to search for directions and navigate. You just will not see commute times or have the commute widget on your home screen.
Do I need to be connected to the internet to change my address?
Yes. You need an internet connection to save changes to your home or work address. If you are offline, the app will not let you save. Once you reconnect to the internet, try updating the address again.
Can someone else see my home and work addresses?
No. Your home and work addresses are private and stored only in your Google account. They do not appear in your public profile or get shared with other people unless you specifically share your location with them through a different feature.