Some of the best Google Maps features are hidden away and you don't even realize what you're missing out on

You’re a fool if you’re just using Google Maps to get from A to B because some of the best Google Maps features are hidden away – and you don’t even realize what you’re missing out on.

But tucked inside the app are a bunch of clever tools that can make trips smoother, less stressful, and a lot more fun.

We’re talking everything from finding your parked car after a long day to avoiding airport drama and even staying safe in an emergency.

Google Maps is the assistant that’s been living in your pocket this whole time – let’s uncover the hidden functions you’re probably not using yet.

Some of the best Google Maps features are hidden away

When it comes to tech, Google Maps has hidden away a lot of extremely helpful features that no one knew about.

One of the smartest hidden tools in your phone through the app is the shared list feature, which lets a whole group save restaurant ideas and react to them, so the endless holiday dinner debate can finally take a day off.

Then there’s the indoor directory feature, which can help you navigate giant airports, stations, and shopping centers without doing that panicked speed-walk while pretending you totally know where you’re going.

Google Maps can also highlight wheelchair-accessible transit routes, which is great not just for accessibility but also for anyone dragging a massive suitcase or stroller and isn’t in the mood to deal with stairs.

It also has a clever screenshot recognition tool that can turn saved social media pics into actual places on your map, which is ideal for anyone whose camera roll is basically a travel mood board.

And if you want a quick vibe check before arriving somewhere new, Google Maps can use AI summaries of reviews to give you the lowdown on things like parking, wait times, and even whether a place is fancy enough to make you think twice about wearing trainers.

What you’re missing out on

The app gets even better once you look at the features designed for the journey itself.

There’s immersive navigation for previewing a route before you set off, and offline maps for when your signal disappears at exactly the wrong moment.

You can get EV charger info that shows you charging locations, speeds, and when you might need to stop on a longer drive.

It also lets you share your live location in crowded places, save where you parked, and reroute around dangerous situations like floods or wildfires.

Possibly the most useful hidden trick of all is Plus Codes, which can help emergency services pinpoint your exact location if you’re stranded somewhere with no obvious address.

Add in the option to share your trip progress with someone you trust, and suddenly, this app is the most helpful one on your phone.

Google Maps has been hiding some seriously impressive features in plain sight, and once you know they’re there, it’s hard to imagine traveling without them.

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