You can change Google Maps' navigation voice in the app settings on Android or iPhone, or in your browser settings on desktop
Google Maps lets you pick from several different voices for turn-by-turn directions. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Android, iPhone, or a computer, but the setting lives in the same general place on each device — in the app or browser settings, not in the main map view.
The voice you choose affects only navigation directions, not search results or other map features. If you switch devices, you may need to set the voice again, since the preference doesn't always sync across platforms.
Key Takeaways
- On Android and iPhone, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then Navigation settings to find voice options.
- On desktop, open Google Maps in your browser, click the three-line menu, select Settings, then choose Navigation settings to change the voice.
- Google Maps offers multiple voices in different languages and accents, and the available options depend on your phone's language setting.
- If you don't hear a voice change after selecting a new one, restart the Google Maps app or refresh your browser to explore the change.
How to change the voice on Android
Open the Google Maps app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings. From the Settings menu, tap Navigation settings.
Under the "Voice and sound" section, tap Voice selection. You'll see a list of available voices. Tap the one you want to use. Some voices are labeled with their language or accent — for example, "English (US) - Female 1" or "English (UK) - Male." Tap the voice name to hear a preview before confirming your choice.
Once you've selected a voice, tap the back arrow or the X to close the menu. The new voice will be active the next time you start navigation.
How to change the voice on iPhone
Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Settings. Then tap Navigation settings.
Under "Voice and sound," tap Voice selection. You'll see the list of available voices. Tap the voice you want, and you can hear a sample before you confirm. The voice will take effect the next time you start giving directions.
If you don't see the voice options, make sure your phone's language setting matches the language of the voice you want. For example, if your phone is set to Spanish but you want an English voice, you may need to change your phone's language setting first, or the English voices may not appear in the list.
How to change the voice on desktop
Go to Google Maps in your web browser and click the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) in the top left. Click Settings. In the left sidebar, click Navigation settings.
Under "Voice and sound," you'll see a dropdown menu for voice selection. Click the dropdown and choose the voice you prefer. Unlike the mobile app, the desktop version may not offer a preview, but the voice will explore to any directions you request in that browser.
The voice preference in your browser is separate from the voice on your phone. If you use Google Maps on both desktop and mobile, you'll need to set the voice on each device independently.
What to do if the voice doesn't change
If you've selected a new voice but still hear the old one during navigation, close the Google Maps app completely and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the app switcher, find Google Maps, and swipe it away. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, find Google Maps, and tap Force stop. Then reopen the app.
On desktop, refresh the page in your browser (press Ctrl+R on Windows or Command+R on Mac). If you're still hearing the wrong voice after restarting, double-check that you actually tapped or clicked the voice you wanted — sometimes the selection doesn't register on the first tap.
If the voice options are grayed out or missing entirely, your phone's language setting may not match the available voices. Check your phone's language in Settings and make sure it's set to a language that Google Maps supports for navigation.
Available voices and languages
Google Maps offers different voices depending on your device's language setting. Most languages have at least two voice options — typically one male and one female voice. Some languages offer more variety, including different accents within the same language (for example, US English, UK English, and Australian English).
The exact voices available change over time as Google updates the app. If you're looking for a specific accent or language, check the voice selection menu on your device to see what's currently offered. You can preview each voice before selecting it on mobile devices, which helps you pick the one that sounds clearest to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different voice for navigation on my phone and computer?
Yes. Google Maps treats each device separately, so you can set one voice on your phone and a different voice on your computer. The settings don't sync across devices, so you'll need to change the voice on each one independently if you want them to match.
Why don't I see any voice options in my settings?
Voice options may not appear if your phone's language is set to a language that Google Maps doesn't support for navigation. Check your phone's language setting and try switching it to a supported language like English, Spanish, French, or German. You can also try restarting the app.
Does changing the navigation voice affect other sounds in Google Maps?
The voice selection only changes the voice that reads directions to you. It doesn't affect notification sounds, alerts, or other audio in the app. If you want to mute all sounds during navigation, look for a separate "Sound" or "Audio" toggle in the Navigation settings menu.
What if I want the voice to speak in a different language?
Change your phone's language setting to the language you want. Go to Settings, find Language or Language and Region, and select a new language. When you return to Google Maps, the voice options will update to match that language. You can then choose a specific voice in that language.