(GP) — Google Maps has become an integral part of our life specially for those who commute a lot. Many of us, can’t even fathom the idea of driving around new places without the ever helpful Google Maps. From getting directions to popular coffee shops to navigating around in road trips, it’s an almost indispensable tool to have when you’re on the road. People who commute a lot always turn to Google Maps and the company keeps updating its features for its loyal users. Among various features of the Google Maps, we have listed out 5 significant in this volume of Mi Bunny Tips. Let’s start to explore!

1. Gesture Control

You must be aware of the conventional way of zooming into a map using the pinch-in feature, however, this feature can prove to be a bit cumbersome especially if you are behind the wheel. There’s an easier way of zooming in and out that you probably don’t know about.

Just double tap on the map with one finger and without lifting your finger, drag down to zoom out. Similarly, for a zoom in, double tap and drag the finger up. You can also use this nifty feature to tilt the map. That would require two fingers, though. Double tap and slide down to tilt the map, while a slide-up will restore it.

2. Using Maps in Offline

The advantage of having Google Maps is that you can download a section of the map. If you’re going where the Internet is slow, mobile data is expensive, or you can’t get online, you can save an area from Google Maps to your phone or tablet and use it when you’re offline.

In your Google Maps App you will find this option by tapping on upper left corner; here you will find some settings as well to customize.

3. Exploring Street View

With Street View, you can explore world landmarks, see natural wonders, and step inside places such as museums, arenas, restaurants, or small businesses. T see Street View photos in your phone, you need to search for a place or drop a pin, then tap on a place marker.

Here are a few tips to explore the Street View:

  • To look around in Street View, drag your finger on the screen or tap the compass.
  • To move around, swipe left or right. You can also swipe up or down on the blue line.
  • To see a wider view and change to landscape mode, turn your device sideways.
  • To zoom in, pinch open on the screen. To zoom out, pinch closed on the screen.

Please note that Street View images aren’t available everywhere.

4. Sharing Location with Friends

We do have friends who find it difficult to get to your location. Google has solved this by introducing the Location Sharing feature, which allows you to share your location with your friends in real-time through the Google Maps app for a particular time period. So, this feature can be useful for those who find it difficult to convince their friends that they are where they say they are.

To share your real-time location with your friends, you just need to LOcation Sharing option on your Google Maps app, there you will find the options through which you wanna share your location with your friends.

5. Tracking own movements

Been to a place, but you can’t remember the name or the location? You need not to be worried as Google Maps keeps a history of your movements every single day. To find this, you need to head over to Maps and there’s you will find an option called Timeline.

Here, Google Maps shows you the places you’ve been and the routes you’ve taken. It also makes sure that you can update or delete data that Maps may have captured wrong.

Source: MIUI Forum