To change voice on Google Maps, open the app and tap your profile picture, then go to Settings > Navigation settings > Voice selection. On Android you can pick a different accent or language for turn-by-turn directions, while on iPhone you adjust the voice directly inside the Google Maps app rather than changing your device language.
How to change voice on Google Maps for Android
Google Maps on Android lets you pick from several voices and accents. If you set its language to English, Google Maps uses five different voices or accents, including American, British, Indian, and Nigerian English. You can preview each voice before committing to it.
- Open the Google Maps app on your Android phone.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Tap Navigation settings.
- Under Voice selection, choose the voice or accent you want to use.
- Tap the play button next to a voice to hear a test sound before selecting it.
Note that voice directions may need to be downloaded, so an internet connection is required for the initial setup or updates. You can also change the voice through your phone's text-to-speech settings (Phone Settings > Language and input > Text-to-speech output), but this will affect other apps too.
How to change the Google Maps voice on iPhone
On iPhone, you no longer need to change your device language to alter the Google Maps voice. Previously, this required going to Settings > General > Language & Region. The setting is now inside the app itself.
- Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone.
- Select Settings.
- Tap Navigation settings.
- Under Voice selection, choose the voice you prefer.
This method replaces the old device-language approach and gives you direct control over the navigation voice without affecting your iPhone's system language.
How to change the navigation language
On Android, you can change the entire navigation language to one of about 50 supported languages. This is useful if you want directions in a language you are learning or are more comfortable with.
- Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture.
- Go to Settings > Navigation settings.
- Under Voice selection, pick the language you want Google Maps to use.
Warning: Setting a language other than the default English may disable street name announcements. The app will still tell you when to turn and which direction to take, but it will not say road names aloud.
How to adjust or fix Google Maps guidance volume
If the navigation voice is too loud or too soft, you can set the guidance volume to Softer, Normal, or Louder on both Android and iPhone.
On Android:
- Select Settings > Navigation settings.
- Under Sound & Voice, choose the guidance volume you want.
On iPhone:
Press the "Ringer volume" control that appears when navigation guidance is speaking, or use the volume rockers on the side of your device.
To ensure voice is not muted, check the sound icon during navigation. Tap it to confirm voice guidance is enabled.
Why is Google Maps not talking?
If Google Maps is not giving spoken directions, the most common cause is that voice guidance is muted accidentally. To fix this while navigating, tap the sound icon at the top-right of the screen and make sure voice is enabled.
You can also check the mute state in your maps and navigation app settings to understand which mode you are in:
- Unmuted: Provides traffic updates and turn-by-turn voice directions.
- Alerts Only: Updates about traffic situations but does not give spoken turn-by-turn directions.
- Muted: No spoken directions at all.
To access these settings, tap your profile picture, go to Settings > Navigation settings, and look under Mute state. Select the option that fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the Google Maps voice from female to male?
No. You can’t change the gender of the Google Maps voice because it only uses the female voice for navigation. Google Assistant has a male voice, but the navigation app cannot use it.
Will changing the voice on Android affect other apps?
Only if you change the voice through your phone's text-to-speech settings instead of the Google Maps Navigation settings. Using the in-app Voice selection changes the voice for Google Maps alone.
Do I need to download voices before using them?
Once downloaded, the voice works offline.
Why can I hear music but not Google Maps directions?
Does changing the language on Google Maps affect street name announcements?
Yes. The app will still give turn directions but will not say road names aloud.
Does Google Maps offer voice customization like Waze?
Unlike Waze, which offers different voice customizations including famous personalities, Google Maps offers limited options for tweaking its voice navigation feature.
For the wider topic, see maps and navigation app settings.
