Why Google Maps needs your home address and how to update it
Google Maps stores a home address in your account so that directions, search results, and location services can use it as a reference point. When you move, change your address, or want to correct an old one, you update it through your Google Account settings, not through the Maps app itself. The change takes effect across Google services — Maps, Google Search, and your saved places — within a few minutes to a few hours.
You do not need to delete the old address first. Google Maps will simply replace it when you enter the new one. The process works the same whether you are using a phone, tablet, or computer.
Key Takeaways
- Your home address is stored in your Google Account settings, not in the Maps app, so you change it there rather than in Maps itself.
- You can set a home address, a work address, and other saved locations, and you can edit or delete any of them at any time.
- The fastest route on a phone is to open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then tap "Home" or "Work" and edit the address directly.
- On a computer, go to myaccount.google.com, select "Personal info," and update your address in the Locations section.
- Changes appear across Google Maps, Google Search, and other Google services within minutes, but may take longer if you are offline.
Changing your home address on a phone or tablet
Open the Google Maps app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will appear with options including "Home," "Work," and "Settings." Tap "Home" to view or edit your current home address.
If you already have a home address saved, you will see it displayed. Tap the pencil icon or the address itself to edit it. Delete the old address and type the new one. As you type, Google Maps will show suggestions — tap the correct one to confirm. Tap "Save" when you are done.
If you do not have a home address saved yet, tap "Home" and then tap "Add home" or the plus icon. Type your new address, select it from the suggestions, and tap "Save."
Changing your home address on a computer
Go to myaccount.google.com in your web browser and sign in if you are not already signed in. On the left side, click "Personal info." Scroll down to the "Locations" section, where you will see fields for "Home" and "Work."
Click on the "Home" field and type your new address. Google will show suggestions as you type — click the correct one. Click "Save" when you are done. If you want to remove your home address entirely, click the X next to it.
You can also update your work address the same way by clicking on the "Work" field. Both addresses are optional, and you can have one, both, or neither saved at any time.
What happens after you save a new address
Once you save your new home address, it becomes the default starting point when you ask for directions in Google Maps. If you search for nearby restaurants, gas stations, or other services, the results will be sorted by distance from your home address. Your saved address also appears in Google Search results when you search for directions or local information.
The change usually takes effect within a few minutes on the device where you made it. If you use Google Maps on multiple devices, the new address will sync to all of them within a few hours, as long as they are connected to the internet and signed into the same Google Account.
Fixing a home address that is slightly wrong
If your address is close but not exact — for example, Google placed it on the wrong side of the street or a few houses down — you can adjust it by editing the address field directly. Open your home address (following the steps above for your device type), tap or click the address field, and type the correct version. Google's suggestions will usually show the right location.
If the suggestions are still not showing the exact address you need, type it as completely as possible: street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code. If Google Maps still cannot find it, the address may not be in Google's database yet, which is rare but can happen in very new developments. In that case, you can type the address manually and save it anyway — Google will store it even if it cannot pinpoint it on the map.
Removing your home address or switching between multiple addresses
To delete your home address entirely, open it (through your profile picture on the phone app or through myaccount.google.com on a computer) and tap or click the X or delete icon next to the address. Confirm the deletion. Your home address will be removed from Google Maps and Google Search.
Google Maps allows you to save only one home address and one work address at a time. If you move frequently or want to track multiple locations, you can use the "Saved places" feature instead. In the Maps app, tap the heart icon or bookmark icon next to any address to save it with a custom label. You can create as many saved places as you need and organize them into lists.
Troubleshooting: address not updating or showing incorrectly
If your new address is not appearing after you saved it, first check that you are signed into the same Google Account on all your devices. Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, and confirm the email address shown. If you are signed into a different account, sign out and sign back in with the correct one.
If the address is still not updating, try signing out of Google Maps completely, closing the app, and signing back in. On a computer, clear your browser cache and reload myaccount.google.com. If the address appears to be in the wrong location on the map (for example, several miles away from where you actually live), you can manually drag the pin to the correct spot on the map, then save it.
If Google Maps is showing your address but it is formatted incorrectly or missing part of it, edit the address field directly and retype it in full. Google will reformat it to match its database once you save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my home address on Google Maps affect my privacy or location sharing?
Changing your home address in Google Maps does not automatically share your location with anyone. It only changes the reference point Google uses for directions and search results. Location sharing is a separate setting you control in your Google Account privacy settings. Your home address is visible only to you unless you specifically share it with someone else.
Can I have multiple home addresses saved at the same time?
Google Maps allows only one home address and one work address at a time. If you need to track multiple locations, use the "Saved places" feature instead. You can save as many places as you want with custom labels and organize them into lists for easy reference.
Does my home address sync across all my Google devices?
Yes. Once you update your home address on one device, it will sync to all other devices signed into the same Google Account within a few hours. The sync happens automatically when your devices are connected to the internet. If you change your address on your phone, it will appear on your computer and tablet without you having to enter it again.
What if Google Maps keeps suggesting the wrong address when I type?
Type your address as completely as possible, including the street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code. If Google still suggests the wrong location, you can ignore the suggestion and manually type the full address. Google will save it even if it cannot pinpoint it perfectly on the map. You can also drag the location pin to the correct spot after saving.
Can I change my home address without a Google Account?
No. Your home address is stored in your Google Account, so you need to be signed in to save or change it. If you do not have a Google Account, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com. Once you are signed in, you can set your home address immediately.