How to Use Google Maps on a Cell Phone

You can use Google Maps on your phone to check traffic in real time, receive detailed directions, find local businesses and get a bird's-eye view of a location via satellite imagery. While not all cell phones have the capability to use all of Google Maps' features, as long as your cell phone can send and receive text messages, you can use at least a portion of Google Maps' mobile capabilities.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. See whether Google Maps is available on your phone by visiting Google Maps' mobile site with your phone's web browser (see Resources below). If your phone is not equipped for web browsing, you will still be able to use Google Mobile via text messaging.

2. Download Google Maps' mobile application, and install it on your phone. Most phones will automatically begin the installation process. While most phones will require you to download the application through the phone's web browser, those phones that allow for syncing with your computer may allow you to install the application through your computer.

3. Use Google Maps' mobile application on your phone by accessing your phone's menu of application and selecting "Google Maps." The application will allow you to search for locations and businesses and will offer options, such as providing you with driving directions, once a location has been selected.

4. Text questions to Google Mobile at 466453 ("GOOGLE" on most phones' keypads) if your phone does not allow for mobile browsing. Google Mobile will send a text to answer your question. Questions do not need to be fully formulated sentences: you can text a keyword and your zip code, with no punctuation, to Google and still receive an answer.

5. Set your location to save time if you are texting questions to Google. Text the words "set location" to Google, followed by either your city and state or your zip code. With your location set, you can text a keyword to Google, such as restaurant or sushi, and Google's return text will include results only within your area.

Tips & Warnings

• For many of Google Maps' capabilities, your phone will need to have a data plan, which is an extra feature offered by your cell phone company. If you plan to use Google Maps regularly, you might want to check into the availability of unlimited data plans in order to protect yourself from extensive fees.

Resources

• Google Maps Mobile