Google Maps is a free app that turns your phone into a navigation system. You can get walking, driving, or public transport directions from wherever you are to wherever you’re going, and it updates in real time if there’s traffic or you take a wrong turn.

Here’s how to use it.

Getting Google Maps

Google Maps may already be on your iPhone. Look for a white icon with a coloured map pin on it. If it’s not there, you can download it for free from the App Store, search for “Google Maps” and tap Get.

Apple Maps is the default maps app on iPhones (the coloured map icon). Google Maps works similarly but many people prefer it for its accuracy, public transport information, and local business listings. Both are free.

Searching for a place

Open Google Maps. It will show a map of your current location (a blue dot).
Tap the Search here bar at the top.
Type what you’re looking for, this can be:
- A full address: “14 High Street, Hebden Bridge”
- A business name: “Hebden Bridge post office”
- A type of place: “pharmacy near me” or “coffee shop”
Tap the result that matches what you want.

The map will zoom to show the location, and a card will appear at the bottom of the screen with the name, address, opening hours, phone number, and reviews.

Getting directions

Once you’ve found the place you want to go:

Tap the Directions button (a blue arrow icon) at the bottom of the location card.
Google Maps will show route options. At the top, you can choose your mode of transport:
- 🚗 Driving
- 🚶 Walking
- 🚌 Public transport (buses and trains)
- 🚴 Cycling
Choose your preferred route and tap Start (the green button).

Google Maps will now give you turn-by-turn directions using your phone’s speaker, “In 200 metres, turn left onto Market Street.” The route is shown on the map as you move.

Tip: if you’re driving, prop your phone on the dashboard or in a phone holder so you can glance at the map. Never hold your phone while driving.

What the map shows you

Blue dot, your current location (updated as you move)
Blue line, the route Google Maps wants you to follow
Estimated time, shown at the bottom; updates if there’s traffic ahead

Searching for businesses nearby

You don’t need to know where you’re going ahead of time. Tap Explore (the compass icon at the bottom) or type something like “supermarket near me” in the search bar. Google Maps will show nearby options with ratings and opening hours.

This is especially useful for finding:

Pharmacies when you’re in an unfamiliar town
Petrol stations on a long journey
Restaurants rated by other visitors
Cash machines (ATMs)

Saving a place for later

If there’s somewhere you visit regularly, a doctor’s surgery, a friend’s house, a favourite café, you can save it so you don’t have to search for it every time.

Find the place on Google Maps and tap on it.
Tap the Save button (a bookmark icon) in the location card.
Choose Favourites, Want to go, or Starred places.

Saved places appear when you tap your profile picture (top right) and go to Saved.

If you want to let someone know where you are, or share the address of a place:

Tap on the location on the map.
Tap Share in the card that appears.
Send it via WhatsApp, Messages, or email.

You can also share your real-time location with a specific person for a set period, useful if someone is coming to collect you or you want family to know you’ve arrived safely.

A few tips

Google Maps works offline for driving directions if you download a map area in advance, useful if you’re worried about mobile signal in rural areas. Tap your profile picture → Offline maps → Select your own map.
Street View, on some locations, you can tap the small photo thumbnail to see a 360° photo of what the place looks like from the street. Helpful for recognising a destination before you arrive.
The blue dot accuracy depends on your phone’s GPS. Indoors or in a city centre with tall buildings, it may be slightly off. Once you start moving it usually settles.

Want help finding your way around Google Maps, or setting up directions for a regular journey? Get in touch with Hebden Tech Tutors for a friendly one-to-one session at home.