How do I change the language on Google Maps on Android?

Google Maps is a popular navigation and mapping app used by Android users worldwide. With Google Maps, you can get turn-by-turn driving directions, find local businesses, view real-time traffic information, explore neighborhoods, and more. One useful but lesser-known feature is the ability to change the app’s display language.

There are many reasons why someone may want to change the language in Google Maps. If you are traveling or living abroad, switching Google Maps to the local language can make navigating much easier. You’ll be able to understand street names, directions, and other information more easily. Even at home, switching languages in Google Maps can be beneficial. For example, if you are learning a new language or want to practice your language skills, using Google Maps in that language allows for helpful immersion.

This article will specifically walk through how to change the Google Maps language on Android devices. Whether you want to practice Spanish before your trip to Spain, or need navigation assistance in Hindi when visiting family in India, the steps below will show you how to configure Google Maps for your preferred language.

Check Your Current Google Maps Language

The first step to changing the language in Google Maps for Android is to check what language is currently set. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Google Maps app on your Android phone or tablet. In the top right corner, click on your profile picture or initial. This will open the side menu.

In the side menu, look under the “Settings” section and tap on “Navigation settings.” This is where your current Google Maps language is listed.

You should see the language listed next to “Language.” Take note of what language is currently set before moving on to change it.

If you want to change both the map language and voice language, you’ll also want to look at what is listed next to “Voice” in this menu.

Open Google Maps Settings

From your profile, click ‘Settings’. This will open the Settings menu. You can access this by tapping on your profile picture in the top right corner of the app.

Navigate to Navigation Settings

Once you have the Google Maps settings open, the next step is to navigate specifically to the navigation settings. Here you can customize options related to getting directions and navigation in Google Maps.

According to Google’s support article on navigation, within the settings menu, you need to tap on “Navigation settings.” This will open a new screen dedicated specifically to customizing how Google Maps provides directions and navigation.

As explained in this Digital Trends article, the navigation settings allow you to choose options like route preferences (avoiding highways or tolls), voice guidance language, and more. Focusing on just the navigation settings ensures you can efficiently find and change the relevant options.

Change Map Language

To change the map language in Google Maps on your Android device, you’ll need to go into the app settings and locate the map language options. According to a helpful tutorial video, here are the steps:

Under ‘MAP LANGUAGE’ click the drop down box. This will display a list of all the available languages Google Maps supports for map text and details. Languages with a checkmark are already selected as options for your maps.

Scroll through the list and select your desired primary map language by tapping on it. This will set the default language you want to see maps displayed in within the app.

Change Voice Language

To change the voice language used for navigation instructions in Google Maps, you need to adjust the Voice Language setting. Under ‘VOICE LANGUAGE’ click the drop down box. This will show you a list of different voice options in various languages to choose from.

Select your desired language from the list. For example, if you want navigation prompts in Spanish, choose ‘Español’. If you prefer a British English voice, select ‘English (United Kingdom)’. There are many options to pick from.

Choose the voice that you find most clear and understandable for turn-by-turn directions. The voice language you set here will be used for navigation instructions moving forward when you use Google Maps.

Save Your Selections

Once you’ve selected your preferred map and voice languages, the next step is to save your selections so they take effect in Google Maps. According to Google’s support page, you simply need to click “Save” at the top of the settings screen in the Google Maps app. This will ensure your new language choices are properly saved and implemented across Google Maps.

Clicking “Save” essentially confirms to Google Maps that you want to switch the map and voice languages to the ones you just selected. It’s an important final step, as your selections won’t actually update in the app until you specifically save them. So don’t forget to tap the “Save” button once you’ve chosen your desired languages.

After tapping “Save,” you may need to close out of the Google Maps app and re-launch it for the changes to take full effect. But once you’ve saved your settings, Google Maps should now display in the map and voice languages you chose moving forward.

Confirm the Changes

After changing your map language and voice language in Google Maps, you’ll want to confirm that the new settings took effect. The easiest way is to simply re-open the Google Maps app and check your profile.

To confirm the changes:

1. Close Google Maps if it is currently open on your Android device.
2. Launch the Google Maps app again from your home screen or app drawer.
3. Tap on your profile icon or initial in the top right corner.
4. Verify that under the Navigation settings section, your newly selected Map Language and Voice Language are now displayed.

If you do see your chosen languages, then your language change was successful. You can now start using Google Maps in your preferred language. If it still displays the old language, double check that you properly saved your selections in the previous steps.

Using Google Maps in Your Language

Using Google Maps in your native language can provide a smoother, more intuitive experience. When navigating with Google Maps set to your language, voice directions will be provided in your native tongue. This allows you to focus on the road without struggling to understand foreign pronunciations or translations.

For example, if your language is set to Hindi, you may hear voice directions like “aage chale jaiye” instead of “continue straight ahead.” Other instructions are localized as well, such as “dakshin ki ore mod lijiye” for “make a right turn.” With Google Maps speaking your mother tongue, directions come across more naturally and are easier to comprehend. This leads to a safer, less distracted driving or walking experience.

Beyond navigation, changing the Google Maps language also translates the names of places and roads. This provides a more familiar user interface that matches what you already know. Instead of trying to decipher foreign words, you can recognize locations faster. Overall, using your native language removes a language barrier from Google Maps, enabling you to navigate and explore more easily.

Summary

Changing the language used in Google Maps on your Android device is quick and easy. Simply open the Google Maps app, go to Settings, then select Navigation settings. Here you can change both the Map Language, which affects labels and information, as well as the Voice Language used for navigation instructions.

In addition to the navigation languages, you can also configure the Google Maps app to use your preferred units for distances and speed limits. Look in the app’s Settings under Map display for these options.

Trying Google Maps in your native language can make navigation even easier. Place names and instructions will be more recognizable, and pronunciation will be more natural. Give it a try next time you need directions!