You can change the voice that speaks directions in Google Maps through the app's audio settings

Google Maps lets you pick a different voice for turn-by-turn navigation on both Android and iPhone. The voice options vary by device and language — some phones offer multiple voices, accents, and languages, while others have fewer choices. The setting takes about 30 seconds to change and applies immediately to your next navigation session.

Where you find this setting depends on whether you use Android or iPhone, but both paths are straightforward and don't require restarting the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then go to Settings > Navigation settings > Voice selection to change your voice on Android.
  • On iPhone, tap the profile picture, choose Settings > Navigation settings > Voice selection to access the same options.
  • Available voices depend on your phone's language setting and your region — some areas have more voice options than others.
  • You can also adjust voice volume and mute navigation entirely from the same Navigation settings menu.
  • The voice change takes effect immediately and applies to all future navigation until you change it again.

Changing the voice on Android phones

Start by opening the Google Maps app and looking for your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the screen. Tap it to open a menu, then select Settings.

From the Settings menu, scroll down and tap Navigation settings. You'll see an option labeled Voice selection — tap that to see all available voices. The list shows each voice option with a short preview you can play by tapping the speaker icon next to it. Select the voice you want, and it saves automatically.

If you don't see multiple voice options, your phone's language setting may limit what's available. Changing your phone's system language to a different option can unlock additional voices, though this affects your entire device, not just Maps.

Changing the voice on iPhone

Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.

Scroll to find Navigation settings and tap it. Look for Voice selection and tap to see your options. Like Android, each voice has a preview button you can tap to hear a sample. Choose the one you prefer — the change takes effect right away.

iPhone users sometimes see fewer voice options than Android users in the same region, depending on which iOS version you're running and your phone's language setting.

What voices are actually available

Google Maps offers different voices depending on your location and language. In English-speaking regions, you typically get at least two or three voice options — often labeled as different speaker names or genders. Some regions have five or more choices, including different accents.

If you want more voices than what appears in your list, check your phone's language and region settings. Switching your device language to a different option (like British English instead of US English) can unlock region-specific voices. Keep in mind this changes how your entire phone displays text and menus, not just Maps.

Voice availability also depends on your internet connection — Google Maps downloads voice data when you start navigation, so a weak connection might cause the voice to sound robotic or cut out during directions.

Adjusting volume and muting navigation

From the same Navigation settings menu where you change voices, you can also control how loud the voice speaks. Look for Voice volume and choose from options like Quiet, Normal, or Loud.

If you want to turn off voice directions entirely but keep the visual map, toggle Voice guidance off. This keeps the map and turn-by-turn visuals but silences the spoken directions. You can also mute your phone's volume during navigation — Google Maps respects your device's volume setting.

Troubleshooting when voices won't change

If you change the voice but it doesn't take effect, close Google Maps completely and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs to reload to apply the new setting. Start a new navigation session to hear the new voice — it won't change mid-route on an active navigation.

If the voice selection menu is empty or grayed out, your phone may not have downloaded the voice files yet. Make sure you're connected to WiFi or mobile data, then try again. Restarting your phone can also help if the app is stuck.

On older Android phones, voice options may be limited or unavailable. Updating Google Maps to the latest version through the Google Play Store usually restores full voice functionality. iPhone users should check that their iOS is current, as older versions sometimes have fewer voice options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different voice for navigation than the one Google Maps uses for other alerts?

The voice you select in Navigation settings applies only to turn-by-turn directions. Other Google services like Google Assistant use their own voice settings, which you control separately in your phone's Google Assistant settings.

Will changing the voice affect navigation on my car's Android Auto or Apple CarPlay?

Yes. The voice you set in Google Maps applies to navigation on your car's display as well. If you want a different voice just for your car, you'll need to change it back in the Navigation settings when you're done driving.

What if I want the voice to speak in a language other than my phone's language?

Google Maps navigation voices are tied to your phone's language setting. To get directions in a different language, you'd need to change your device's system language, which affects all apps and menus on your phone.

Do I need an internet connection to hear the navigation voice?

You need an internet connection when you start navigation so Google Maps can download the voice file. Once downloaded, the voice usually works even if your connection drops during the route, though real-time traffic updates require a live connection.