Change your Google Maps voice in settings
Google Maps lets you pick a different voice for turn-by-turn directions. The voice you hear depends on which device you use — phone, tablet, or car display — and which version of Google Maps you have installed. You can switch voices in the app's settings in about 30 seconds.
The steps differ slightly between Android and iPhone, but both let you choose from multiple voices, change the language, and adjust the speaking speed. Some voices are only available in certain languages or regions.
Key Takeaways
- Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Settings, then Navigation settings to find voice options.
- Android users see more voice choices than iPhone users, and some voices only work in specific languages.
- You can change the voice language separately from your phone's language setting.
- If you do not hear a voice during navigation, check that your phone volume is turned up and voice guidance is enabled in Navigation settings.
How to change the voice on Android
Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Settings, then scroll down and tap Navigation settings. Under the "Voice and sound" section, tap Voice selection.
You will see a list of available voices. Tap any voice to hear a preview of how it sounds. Once you pick one, tap the back arrow or swipe back to save your choice. The new voice will be active the next time you start navigation.
If you want to change the language the voice speaks in, stay in Navigation settings and tap Voice language. This is separate from your phone's language — you can have your phone set to English but hear directions in Spanish, for example. Not all voices are available in all languages.
How to change the voice on iPhone
Open Google Maps and tap the profile picture in the top right. Tap Settings, then Navigation settings. Tap Voice selection under "Voice and sound."
iPhone shows fewer voice options than Android. You will typically see two or three choices. Tap a voice to hear a sample, then tap it again to confirm your selection. The change takes effect immediately.
To change the language, go back to Navigation settings and tap Voice language. The language you pick here controls what language the directions are spoken in, not the language your phone displays.
Why you might not hear a voice during navigation
If you start navigation but hear no voice, first check that your phone's volume is turned up. Swipe down from the top of your screen to see the volume slider, or use the physical volume buttons on the side of your phone.
Next, go back to Navigation settings and make sure Voice guidance is toggled on. On Android, this toggle is in the "Voice and sound" section. On iPhone, it is called Voice guidance and appears in the same place. If it is off, tap it to turn it on.
If you have voice guidance on and volume up but still hear nothing, close Google Maps completely and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs to restart to play audio correctly.
Changing voice speed and other audio options
In Navigation settings under "Voice and sound," you can adjust how fast the voice speaks. Tap Voice speed and choose from Slow, Normal, or Fast. This setting applies to whichever voice you have selected.
You can also toggle Mute on or off. When Mute is on, Google Maps will not speak directions aloud, but you will still see them on the screen. This is useful if you are in a situation where you cannot listen to audio but still want visual guidance.
What to do if your preferred voice is not available
Google Maps adds and removes voices over time, and availability depends on your region and language. If a voice you used before is no longer in the list, it has been removed from your version of the app.
Make sure you are using the latest version of Google Maps. Open the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone), search for Google Maps, and tap Update if an update is available. New voices are sometimes added in updates.
If you want a voice in a language that is not currently supported, you can request it through Google's feedback system. In Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Settings, then Help & feedback, then Send feedback. Describe the voice or language you would like to see added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a celebrity voice or custom voice in Google Maps?
Google Maps does not offer celebrity voices or the ability to upload a custom voice. You can only choose from the voices Google provides in the Voice selection menu. Some third-party navigation apps offer more voice options, but Google Maps itself is limited to its built-in voices.
Will changing the voice language change my phone's language?
No. The voice language in Navigation settings only controls what language Google Maps speaks directions in. Your phone's system language, app menus, and notifications will stay the same. You can have your phone in English and hear directions in French, for example.
Do I need to change the voice every time I use Google Maps?
No. Once you pick a voice, Google Maps remembers it. The same voice will be used every time you navigate until you go back to Navigation settings and pick a different one.
Why does my voice sound different in the preview than during actual navigation?
The preview in Voice selection plays a short sample sentence. During real navigation, the voice reads actual street names and directions, which can sound slightly different depending on the words being spoken. This is normal and happens with all voices.
Can I have different voices for different routes or trips?
No. Google Maps uses only one voice at a time across all your navigation. You would need to manually change the voice in Navigation settings if you want to switch between voices for different trips.