How do I use the microphone on Waze?
Waze is a popular navigation and traffic app owned by Google that provides turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic updates powered by a community of users. One of the key features of Waze is the ability to use voice commands through your device’s microphone to control certain functions hands-free while driving.
By enabling microphone access and activating voice control in the Waze app settings, users can navigate to destinations, search along the route, change routes, report traffic jams or accidents, and even play music – all through simple voice commands. This allows drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road for a safer on-the-go experience.
This guide will provide an overview of how to use the microphone features and voice control capabilities within the Waze app across different devices.
Enabling Microphone Access
To use voice commands in Waze, you first need to allow the app access to your device’s microphone. This permission is usually requested the first time you tap the microphone icon, but if you denied access initially, you will need to enable it manually in your phone’s settings.
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and toggle on microphone access for Waze. On Android, open the Settings app and search for Waze. Tap Permissions and enable Microphone access. You may also need to check your general app permissions in Settings to make sure the microphone is not disabled globally.
If Waze is still having trouble accessing your microphone even after granting permission, here are some things to try:
- Force quit and reload the Waze app. This will clear any bugs that may be blocking microphone access.
- Check that other apps can access your microphone normally. The issue may be device-specific if no apps can use your mic.
- Update to the latest version of Waze in case the problem is a known bug that has since been patched.
- Try disabling Bluetooth, WiFi, or using only one AirPod to rule out interference.
- On iPhones, reset network settings under General > Reset. This will clear any problematic configurations.
- As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall Waze to fully clear app data and settings.
Granting microphone access in your device settings and trying the troubleshooting steps above should resolve most issues with Waze not being able to access your microphone for voice commands.
Activate Voice Control
Once you’ve enabled microphone access for Waze, you can activate voice control in a few ways:
Tap the microphone icon at the top right of the Waze screen to activate voice listening mode. The icon will change color when activated. You can now give Waze voice commands without needing a wake phrase. This is the easiest way to quickly activate voice control.
Alternatively, say “Ok Waze” to activate voice control if Waze is not already listening for commands. This wake phrase will trigger Waze to start listening for your voice. According to Lifewire, you can customize this wake phrase in your device’s settings.
After activating with “Ok Waze,” you will see the microphone icon change color, indicating Waze is now in voice command mode. You can now speak natural language voice commands. Say “Stop listening” or tap the mic icon to exit voice control.
Navigate To Destinations
To navigate to a specific destination with Waze voice commands, say “Navigate to [location]” or something similar to set the destination. For example, you could say “Navigate to 123 Main Street” or “Drive to the closest gas station”. This LifeWire article explains that alternative commands like “Drive to” or “Go to” also work.
According to the Waze support page, you can say things like “Navigate home,” “Drive to work,” or “Go to [city name]” and Waze will start navigating to those saved places in your preferences. Waze has voice recognition built-in to understand common destination commands and start guidance.
The key is to speak in natural language as you would to a passenger, using simple phrases like “Drive to…” or “Navigate to…” followed by the location. Waze will interpret your voice command and begin routing you to the destination.
Search Along Route
One handy feature in Waze is the ability to search for places along your current route. This allows you to find convenient stops for gas, food, coffee, restrooms and more without having to divert too far off your route.
To use this feature, simply say “Search along route for [type of place]” when you’re navigating a route in Waze. For example, say “Search along route for gas stations” or “Search along route for restaurants.” Waze will automatically search along your route and display matching results.
You can search for generic categories like “food” or “coffee” or specific places like “Starbucks” or “McDonalds.” This voice command is great for finding convenient stops when you’re low on gas, need a bathroom break, or want to grab a quick bite to eat without going too far out of your way.
According to Waze’s support page, this feature is enabled through Google Assistant integration. Simply activate your voice by tapping the microphone icon and say a phrase like “Search along route for gas stations” to find relevant results.
Change Route
To stop the current navigation in Waze using just your voice, simply say “Stop navigation.” This voice command will immediately end the route guidance and return you to the Waze map screen without an active route.
You can also fully clear out your destination by saying “Cancel route.” This will not only stop navigation but also remove the destination you had previously set, leaving no pending routes or directions.
According to Waze Support discussions, voice commands like “Stop navigation” do not work 100% reliably across all devices and operating systems. Some users especially report issues getting it to work properly on iOS/iPhone. But when enabled and functional, these commands offer a convenient hands-free way to halt your current trip in Waze.
Just remember the exact phrasing to use is “Stop navigation” and “Cancel route.” Know that you may need to repeat yourself or speak loudly and clearly for the voice commands to register. And if you continue to have trouble getting it to work, you can always manually tap the on-screen buttons to stop or cancel the route instead.
Source: Waze Support
Report Traffic
Waze allows users to report traffic incidents using voice by tapping the microphone icon and saying commands like “There is a car accident ahead” or “Traffic is heavy here.” You can use your voice to report road closures, stopped vehicles, objects in the road, and more.
To enable voice reporting of traffic in Waze, you first need to grant the app access to your phone’s microphone in your device settings. Then go to the Waze Settings menu, tap “Voice & Sound,” make sure “Use voice to report” is enabled, and adjust the sensitivity if needed (see source).
Once microphone access and voice reporting are turned on, tap the microphone icon during navigation and clearly speak a voice command to report traffic incidents and conditions ahead. Useful voice commands include:
- “Traffic jam”
- “Accident”
- “Heavy traffic”
- “Road closed”
- “Lane closed”
- “Object on road”
The Waze app will provide verbal confirmation when your voice report was successfully submitted. This shared traffic data then helps provide other Waze users with faster routes and improved ETAs (see source).
Play Music
To play music by voice in Waze, you need to link your audio streaming accounts like Spotify or Apple Music. When your accounts are linked, you can say voice commands like “Hey Waze, play
To link accounts:
- On Android open Waze > Menu > Settings > Voice and Sound > Connect Audio Apps
- On iOS tap Menu > Settings > Voice & Sound > Audio Player
Once your music services are connected, try voice commands like:
- “Play Ed Sheeran”
- “Play my driving playlist”
- “Skip song”
- “Pause the music”
- “Increase/decrease volume”
You can control most music playback functions through Waze voice commands on both Android and iOS. This allows you to safely navigate and play DJ without taking your eyes off the road.
Other Voice Commands
In addition to navigation, Waze supports commands for muting, finding help, repeating, canceling, and stopping listening. For example you can say “waze mute” to mute instructions.
We all need some humor in our lives, and Waze does too! Waze has easter egg responses and jokes coded into its voice assistants. If you tell Waze to “Make me laugh,” you might hear a silly joke or funny comeback. There are many other surprise phrases that trigger entertaining reactions from Waze. Be creative and see what other jokes are hidden inside!
Some examples:
- Say “Are we there yet?” a few times for some fun.
- Say “I’m ready for adventure
- Ask Waze for the meaning of life.
According to the Waze forum (https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86189), part of the fun with Waze is discovering all the programmed jokes and responses when you talk to it.
Conclusion
Waze offers convenient voice control for navigation, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road. The main voice commands include enabling microphone access, activating voice control, navigating to destinations, searching along your route, changing your route, reporting traffic, and playing music.
Some benefits of using Waze’s voice control feature include:
- Hands-free navigation so you can focus on driving safely
- Ability to report traffic, hazards, etc. without taking your hands off the wheel
- Convenience of searching for destinations, gas stations, restaurants simply using your voice
- Route changes can be made through voice commands when necessary
Overall, Waze’s integration with voice control allows for a safer, more convenient navigation experience on the road.