How to use Waze alongside Google Maps on your mobile phone and Android Auto

Android Guides » Android Apps » How to use Waze alongside Google Maps on your mobile phone and Android Auto

If you spend a lot of time in your car, you've probably thought more than once that Google Maps and Waze should be able to work together . One gives you incredibly comprehensive maps and fast searches, and the other alerts you to speed cameras, traffic jams, and hazards almost instantly. The good news is that, although you can't view them in split-screen mode on Android Auto, there are several ways to combine the best of both apps on your phone and your car's screen.

Throughout this guide, you'll learn how to send locations from Google Maps to Waze , how to change your destination or add stops without any hassle, and also how to take advantage of Android Auto so that Google Maps handles the navigation while Waze alerts you to speed cameras, traffic jams, and other incidents in the background. You'll also discover some extra tips and tricks to get the most out of both apps while traveling.

Why is it worth using Waze alongside Google Maps?

Both Google Maps and Waze are two of the most widely used navigation apps on the planet . They share many features, but each has distinct strengths. Understanding this helps explain why using them together in everyday life makes so much sense.

In the case of Google Maps, its advantages include very comprehensive maps, precise searches, and highly polished navigation . It makes finding addresses, businesses, or points of interest incredibly easy, offers alternative routes, allows you to choose fuel-efficient routes, and also conveniently saves offline maps so you won't be stranded if you lose signal.

Waze, on the other hand, shines primarily for its social component and real-time updates . Thousands of drivers report accidents, traffic jams, speed cameras, police checkpoints, roadworks, and hazards on the road or shoulder in real time, and all of this information is uploaded to the app almost live. If you're looking for alerts about speed cameras, red lights, traffic jams, or checkpoints , Waze is usually one step ahead.

Interestingly, over time, Google has begun integrating some Waze reports into Google Maps . It's now possible to see alerts for accidents, traffic jams, or police directly in Maps without having to open Waze. Even so, many drivers still prefer to use Waze, especially on highways, because of the quantity and accuracy of its live alerts.

The big problem arises when you need to search for a new address : Google Maps is much faster and more intuitive when it comes to finding specific streets, numbers, or businesses, while Waze can be a bit more cumbersome when trying to locate new places. The key, therefore, is to combine them: search comfortably in Maps and navigate with the social power of Waze.

Share Google Maps locations directly with Waze

On mobile devices, you can send a location from Google Maps and open it instantly in Waze , without having to copy and paste anything. This way, you take advantage of Maps' search functionality and, at the same time, drive with Waze's advanced alerts.

Currently, this feature is limited: it can't be used with Android Auto, Android Automotive (AAOS), or Apple CarPlay . It only works from your phone. Even so, it's very useful when you're about to start a trip or when you change your destination while the car is stopped.

Send a Google Maps destination to Waze and start the route

The basic workflow involves finding the location in Maps and then sharing it to Waze from the share menu. The general procedure, according to the official documentation, would be something like this:

1. On your mobile, open Google Maps and search for the location to which you want to go (address, business, point on the map, etc.).
2. On the location's information page, tap the share icon (the typical button for sending content).
3. In the app menu that appears, select the option that This belongs to Waze.If you don't see it at first, you may need to swipe left, tap on More and scroll down until you find the Waze icon.
4. The location will automatically open in Waze; check that The point you see on Waze is actually the destination. that you wanted (sometimes there are variations of main entrance, parking, etc.).
5. Tap on the location in Waze to see details and the navigation button.
6. Choose the option Book a bike tour so that Waze can calculate the different available alternatives.
7. Once you have a clear route, press go now to start browsing right away or select Leave later if you want schedule a trip and have the app notify you when it's a good time to go out.

With this automatic sharing system, you avoid having to search for the same address twice . You take advantage of Maps' speed and accuracy to pinpoint the exact location, and then hand it over to Waze to receive all its roadside alerts.

Change your destination mid-journey using Google Maps and Waze

Often you're on a journey and, for whatever reason, you need to change your destination halfway through . If you usually check or prepare changes in Google Maps because it's more convenient, you can also send that new point to Waze without wasting time.

The procedure is very similar to the previous one, with some differences in the options you see on screen in Waze:

1. From your mobile device, open Google Maps and locate the new address which one you want to go to.
2. Press the button to share location from the site's information page.
3. Select the option again Open that location with Waze in the apps menu. If it doesn't appear, swipe, tap More and look for the Waze icon among the list of applications.
4. When Waze opens, it verifies that the location shown matches with the new destination (correct name, street, appropriate entrance, etc.).
5. Tap on that location to access the navigation panel.
6. Push the button Ir to indicate that it will be your next destination.
7. From the options shown, choose New route all with replace the route you were following until now.
8. Finally, select if you want go now to immediately change the route or Leave later if you prefer to schedule the new trip.

This way, even if you're already on your way, you can continue using the Google Maps interface to locate places and then hand over control of the new route to Waze with just a few taps.

Add an intermediate stop from Google Maps to Waze

Another very common situation on the road is that, while traveling from point A to point B, you might want to stop to refuel, eat, or run a quick errand . If you find it easier to locate that gas station or restaurant on Google Maps, you can also mark it as a stopover in Waze.

The process again relies on the location sharing function between applications:

1. On your phone, go to Google Maps and search for the place where you want to make the stop (for example, a gas station, a service area, a restaurant or a workshop).
2. Open the site's information page and click on the icon of share.
3. Choose Waze again from the available apps for Open the location directly in WazeIf it doesn't work, swipe, tap More and locate the Waze icon in the list.
4. Check on the Waze map that The position is correct. and is reasonably located on your route.
5. Tap on that location to display the navigation options.
6. Press the button Ir to tell Waze that you want to go to that place.
7. Instead of replacing the route completely, choose the option Add a stop for becomes an intermediate point within the current route.

This mechanic allows you to continue combining the best of both worlds: you can quickly search in Maps and manage the advanced route in Waze , adding stops without having to redraw the entire route manually.

Use Google Maps coordinates to navigate with Waze

Besides the sharing function, there's another quite effective way to transfer a very precise location from Google Maps to Waze: using GPS coordinates . It might sound a bit technical, but it's actually very simple and especially useful when the exact point isn't clearly marked by name.

Any point on the planet can be described with a combination of two decimal numbers separated by a comma (latitude and longitude). These coordinate pairs are usually very long, with several decimal places, but precisely for that reason they represent a unique and exact location on the map . If you copy these coordinates from Google Maps and paste them into Waze, you can be sure you'll go to the exact same place, without any confusion about names or incorrect entries.

A typical example would be searching for a very specific location, such as a parking lot near a museum, a poorly signposted rural house, or a meeting point in a large area. From Google Maps, you can tap on the desired location on the map, open the information, and copy the GPS coordinates that appear at the bottom or within the location details.

The general procedure would be something like this:

1. On Google Maps, Open the map and tap on the exact location to which you want to go (for example, a point near the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the specific parking lot you prefer to arrive at, etc.).
2. Swipe the tab that appears to see detailed information and locate GPS coordinates (two long numbers, with decimals, separated by a comma).
3. Copy those coordinates to your mobile's clipboard (press and hold, then select) Copy).
4. Open now Waze and go to the search section (the bar where you usually type addresses or names).
5. Paste the coordinates you just copied from Google Maps there.
6. It is very important that Remove any parentheses or other symbols that were included when copying; only the numbers and the comma should remain, just as they appear on the screen, because otherwise the search may give an error.
7. Once the formatting is corrected, click on Search so that Waze can process that data and load the exact same location you selected in Google Maps.

Thanks to this trick, you don't waste time trying to find the same place again in Waze . You take advantage of your greater familiarity with Maps to navigate the map, and then Waze takes care of guiding you to that same point, with the added assurance that the coordinates are not subject to confusion.

Waze alerts while navigating with Google Maps on Android Auto

In the car, things change a bit because Android Auto is designed to display only one navigation app in the main window . Although the system allows up to three apps to be open at once , the interface doesn't allow you to split Google Maps and Waze: there's always only one map app displayed.

Even so, there's a very practical trick: keep Google Maps in the foreground for the route , while Waze runs in the background only to provide audio and visual alerts (for example, for speed cameras or traffic incidents). This way, you use the Maps interface to see the route and turn-by-turn directions, but you still receive Waze's collaborative alerts on top of them.

This method is especially useful if you normally prefer Google Maps but don't want to give up Waze's powerful features like speed camera alerts, traffic jam warnings, and other road hazards . Let's see how to set it up step by step.

Configure Waze alerts to work with Maps

First, make sure Waze has the notifications and alerts you want enabled. This is all done in the app's settings menu on your phone, before connecting Android Auto.

These are the basic steps to get Waze ready:

1. Open the app Waze on your phone and enter the menu Settings.
2. Within the menu, locate the section called “Alerts and warnings” and enter it.
3. Access the section "Notices", from where you can choose what type of notifications you want to receive while driving.
4. Review each of the different types of alerts and activate those that interest you: Speed ​​cameras, traffic light cameras, level crossings, accidents, traffic jams, hazards on the road or shoulder, roadworks, police checkpoints…or, if you prefer, practically all of them.
5. Once you've selected the options, go back to the Waze home screen, but Don't close the application completely.It is essential that you leave it open in the background on your mobile device.

When you configure Waze this way, the app is ready to launch sound alerts as soon as it detects something relevant on your route, even if it's not the app you're viewing in the foreground.

Using Google Maps in Android Auto with Waze alerts active

With alerts already set up in Waze, the next step is to integrate it with Google Maps within Android Auto . The trick here isn't hidden settings or anything unusual, but rather the order in which you open the apps and the fact that you don't close Waze.

The general process for the car would be as follows:

1. Before starting, connect your mobile phone to car console to start Android Auto (wired or wireless, depending on your vehicle).
2. Once Android Auto is active, open the app on your car's screen. WazeYou don't need to configure any routes here; just let Waze stay. open and operational.
3. Without closing Waze, return to the Android Auto main menu and open Google Maps.
4. Configure the route you're going to follow with Maps and start navigating as usual, using the familiar interface to view the route, traffic, estimated time, etc.
5. While you drive, Waze will continue running in the backgroundWhen it detects a speed camera, a red light camera, or any of the alerts you activated, It will emit an audible and visual alert.even though what is displayed on the main screen is Google Maps.

If you've done it correctly, you'll see Maps in front and hear Waze's sound in the background when needed. This way, you get a sort of two-for-one: Maps' standard, clean navigation, plus the collaborative alert system that Waze is so well known for.

One important detail: don't close Waze from your phone or Android Auto . If you close it completely, you'll stop receiving alerts. It needs to run in the background. And if you're using beta versions of Google Maps on Android Auto, be aware that bugs and instabilities have occasionally appeared ; if you notice any unusual behavior, it's best to leave the beta program to restore the app's stability.

Extra tips to get the most out of Google Maps and Waze

Beyond the combination of both, each app offers features that can make a difference to your travels. Knowing how to better use routes, reports, and offline modes is almost as important as navigation itself.

Optimize routes with real-time traffic information

Both apps constantly update traffic conditions , but we don't always use them in the most efficient way possible. With a few adjustments, you can adapt the routes to your driving style.

In Waze, when you enter a new route, you can tap the "Avoid" button or route settings to indicate whether you want to avoid tolls, unpaved roads, or certain types of roads. Sometimes the fastest route isn't the most convenient, and you might want to avoid certain sections even if it takes a few minutes longer.

On Google Maps, you can take advantage of options like "I prefer to save more fuel" within the travel options. This way, the app considers your car's engine type and characteristics to suggest routes that consume less fuel or energy , recommending more efficient times and routes.

Participate in reporting and help the community

One of Waze's key features is that it functions almost like a social network for drivers . The more people report what they see on the road, the better the routes become and the more useful the alerts are for everyone.

If you encounter an accident, a traffic jam, a dangerous pothole, a stopped car, or any other incident, you can easily report it through the app. These reports are visible to other users, who will see "live" events on the map as they drive. Google Maps has also been integrating options to report accidents, traffic jams, police presence, or obstacles on the road , so both tools are increasingly relying on real-time data.

Interesting features: personalized voices in Waze

Waze is an app with a strong playful element and, in addition to its more serious functions, includes some interesting features . One of them is the ability to record your own voice or someone else's to guide you while navigating.

This option is somewhat hidden, but you can find it in the sound or voice section of Waze . From there, you choose the option to add a new voice and record the phrases the app prompts you for (turns, alerts, etc.). It's a fun way to personalize the experience, for example, by recording the voice of a friend or family member to give you directions.

Offline maps and saved routes

Another key point for any driver is what happens when you lose data coverage . Each app behaves differently, and it's important to know its limitations to avoid surprises in the middle of a trip.

Google Maps makes it very easy to download offline maps . Simply search for the location you're interested in (a city, a town, a large area), open the location options, tap "More," and select "Download offline map ." It's recommended to save at least the map of your main route and some alternative routes , especially if you're going to rural or mountainous areas where the signal is often weak.

Waze, on the other hand, doesn't have a full offline mode like Maps. However, you can save routes and destinations in the "Favorites" section . If you start your trip while you have a connection, part of the route is cached, and in many cases, you can continue even if the signal drops later on, although with less ability to recalculate in case of unexpected changes.

In any case, it's a good idea to regularly update both apps to ensure that the maps, speed limits, and traffic data are as up-to-date as possible. Don't rely on maps downloaded months ago for a new trip: it's best to double-check that everything is updated before you set off.

Safety, maintenance and responsible use

No matter how good the app is, driving safety always depends on how you use the technology and the condition of your vehicle . These tools are an aid, not a substitute for common sense or a well-maintained car.

Before long trips, it's advisable to perform a basic check of your brakes, lights, and tires , especially if the app warns you of adverse weather conditions along your route. While planning your trip in Maps or Waze, you can use the apps' search function to locate nearby repair shops or service centers in case you need assistance during your journey.

Regarding screen usage, remember that Android Auto and similar systems limit certain actions while the car is in motion precisely to prevent distractions. Take advantage of voice commands, virtual assistants, and plan your route before setting off. Most importantly, keep your attention on the road and use your phone only through the car's interface and in a safe manner.

By intelligently combining Google Maps and Waze, both on your mobile and Android Auto, you can achieve a very complete navigation experience : fast and accurate searches, detailed and offline maps, routes optimized for your car and, at the same time, collaborative alerts about speed cameras , traffic jams and hazards in real time.

By properly adjusting alerts, taking advantage of the location sharing feature, and using coordinates when necessary, you'll have access to the full potential of both apps for more informed, convenient, and, above all, safer travel. Share this tutorial so more users can learn about it.