You can change Google Maps to use a different voice, a different language, or turn off voice directions entirely

Google Maps lets you pick from several voices for turn-by-turn navigation. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using an Android phone, an iPhone, or Google Maps on a computer. You can also choose a different language for directions, adjust the volume, or switch to text-only navigation if you prefer not to hear spoken directions at all.

The voice options available depend on your phone's operating system and which voices Google has installed on your device. Some phones come with more voice choices than others, and you can sometimes add more through your phone's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • On Android, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then Sound & Vibration to change your voice.
  • On iPhone, open Google Maps, tap the profile picture, choose Settings, then Navigation Settings to find voice options.
  • You can change the language of directions separately from the voice itself — they're two different settings.
  • If you don't see the voice you want, your phone may not have that voice installed; you can sometimes add more voices through your phone's accessibility settings.

Changing the voice on Android

Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. From the menu that appears, select Settings. Scroll down and tap Sound & Vibration.

You'll see an option for "Voice selection" or "Voice volume." Tap Voice selection to see what voices are available on your device. The list usually includes options like "Default," "Female," or "Male," though the exact names vary. Tap the voice you want to use, and Google Maps will play a sample so you can hear it before you confirm.

If you want to change the language of the directions themselves (not just the voice), that's a separate setting. Go back to Settings and look for "Navigation settings" or "Languages." Choose the language you want, and the next time you navigate, the directions will be in that language.

Changing the voice on iPhone

Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. Tap Navigation Settings.

Look for "Voice selection" or "Voice & language." Tap it to see the voices available on your iPhone. Choose the voice you want and listen to the sample. On iPhone, the available voices depend on which voices your phone has installed through iOS settings — you may have fewer options than Android users.

If you want directions in a different language, that setting is usually in the same Navigation Settings menu. Tap Language and choose what you need.

Adding more voices to your phone

If Google Maps shows only one or two voice options, your phone may not have other voices installed. On Android, you can add more voices through Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech Output. Tap the settings icon next to your current text-to-speech engine and choose "Install voice data." read the voices you want, and they'll become available in Google Maps.

On iPhone, voice options are controlled by iOS itself. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Voices and read additional voices if they're available for your language. Once installed, they'll show up in Google Maps.

Turning off voice directions entirely

If you prefer to navigate by reading the map instead of hearing directions, you can mute voice guidance without turning off all sound. On Android, go to Settings > Sound & Vibration and set Voice volume to 0 or Off. On iPhone, go to Navigation Settings and toggle off "Voice guidance" or set the volume to silent.

You'll still see directions on the map and get haptic feedback (vibrations) if your phone supports it, but you won't hear spoken turn-by-turn instructions.

Adjusting voice volume separately from other sounds

Google Maps lets you control the volume of navigation voice independently from your phone's overall volume. When you're navigating, you can use the volume buttons on the side of your phone to adjust just the voice volume. On some Android phones, you can also go to Settings > Sound & Vibration and find a specific slider for "Navigation voice volume."

This is useful if you want navigation to be loud enough to hear clearly while keeping your phone's notification sounds at a different level. The setting persists across trips, so you only need to adjust it once.

What to do if your preferred voice isn't showing up

If you know a voice exists but don't see it in Google Maps, the issue is usually that your phone doesn't have that voice's data installed. Check your phone's text-to-speech settings (Android) or Spoken Content settings (iPhone) to see what's actually available on your device. You may need to read voice data before it appears in Google Maps.

Some voices are region-specific — for example, a British English voice may only be available if your phone's language is set to English (UK). If you want to use a voice from a different region, you may need to temporarily change your phone's language settings, read the voice, and then change back.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Google Maps doesn't offer celebrity voices or the ability to upload your own voice. You're limited to the voices your phone has installed through its operating system. Some third-party navigation apps offer more voice options, but Google Maps itself does not.

Will changing the voice affect other apps that use text-to-speech?

Yes. When you change your phone's default text-to-speech voice, it affects any app that uses that voice — including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and others. If you want different voices for different apps, you'll need to change the setting each time you switch apps.

What if I change my phone's language — will that change my Google Maps voice?

Changing your phone's language will change the language of directions in Google Maps, but not necessarily the voice itself. You can have directions in Spanish with an English voice, or vice versa. The language and voice are separate settings.

Why do I only hear a voice sometimes during navigation?

Google Maps only speaks directions at key turns and when you're about to miss a turn. If you're on a straight highway for a while, you won't hear anything. If you want more frequent guidance, check that voice volume isn't set to 0 and that voice guidance is actually enabled in your settings.

Can I change the voice while I'm actively navigating?

Yes. On most phones, you can tap your profile picture and go to Sound & Vibration or Navigation Settings to change the voice mid-trip. The new voice will take effect on the next spoken direction.