Where to find the voice settings in Google Maps
Google Maps stores voice settings in the app's main menu, not in a separate settings page. Open Google Maps on your phone or tablet, tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner, then tap Settings. From there, select Navigation settings. This is where you control which voice speaks your turn-by-turn directions.
On a computer, you cannot change the voice during navigation itself. The voice settings only appear in the mobile app. If you are using Google Maps on a desktop or laptop, you will need to switch to your phone to adjust this option.
Key Takeaways
- Voice settings are found by tapping your profile picture, then Settings, then Navigation settings in the Google Maps app.
- You can choose between a male or female voice, and the available options depend on which language you have selected.
- Some languages offer only one voice option, while others offer two or more.
- Your voice choice stays the same until you manually change it again — it does not reset when you update the app.
Selecting a different voice in Navigation settings
Once you are in Navigation settings, look for the option labeled Voice selection or Voice. Tap it to see the voices available for your current language. Most languages offer at least two options: typically labeled as a male voice and a female voice, though the exact names vary by language and region.
Tap the voice you want to use. Google Maps will play a short sample so you can hear what it sounds like before you confirm. After you select it, that voice will be used for all future navigation until you change it again.
What happens if your language has only one voice
Not all languages have multiple voice options. If you are navigating in a language that Google Maps supports with only a single voice, the Voice selection menu will either show only one choice or may not appear at all. In this case, you cannot change the voice — you will hear whichever voice Google Maps provides for that language.
If you want a different voice, your only option is to change the language Google Maps uses for navigation. This is a separate setting from voice selection and is found in the same Navigation settings menu.
Changing the language for navigation
The language Google Maps uses for navigation is usually set to match your phone's system language. To change it, go to Navigation settings and look for Language. Tap it and select a different language from the list. Keep in mind that changing the navigation language affects the voice you hear and the language in which street names and directions are spoken.
If you switch to a language that has multiple voice options, you will then be able to choose between those voices using the Voice selection menu. If you switch to a language with only one voice, you will be stuck with that voice until you change the language again.
Why your voice choice might not be working
If you selected a voice but still hear a different one during navigation, check whether your phone's volume is muted or set very low. Some phones have separate volume controls for navigation and media, so make sure navigation volume is turned up. You can also test the voice by playing a sample in Navigation settings — if the sample does not play, your phone's volume settings may be the problem.
Another common issue is that the voice setting did not save properly. Go back to Navigation settings, confirm which voice is currently selected, and tap it again to re-select it. Close the Settings menu completely and start a new navigation to see if the change took effect.
Voice settings on Android versus iPhone
The steps for changing the voice are nearly identical on both Android and iPhone. The main difference is that on some older Android phones, the Navigation settings menu may be organized slightly differently, but the Voice selection option is still present. On iPhone, the process is the same as described above.
If you use Google Maps on both an Android phone and an iPhone, your voice choice does not sync between devices. You will need to set the voice separately on each phone. Your choice on one device will not affect what you hear on the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a celebrity voice or a custom voice in Google Maps?
Google Maps does not offer celebrity voices or the ability to upload a custom voice. You can only choose from the standard male and female voices that Google provides for your language. Some third-party navigation apps offer more voice options, but Google Maps itself is limited to its built-in voices.
Will my voice choice stay the same after I update Google Maps?
Yes. Your voice selection is stored on your phone and does not reset when you update the app. After you update, your chosen voice will still be active the next time you navigate.
What if I want different voices for different languages?
You can set a different voice for each language you use in Google Maps. When you switch the navigation language, you can then select a voice for that language. The app remembers your choice for each language separately.
Does changing the voice affect voice commands or search results?
No. The voice setting only controls the voice that speaks your turn-by-turn directions during navigation. It does not affect how Google Maps responds to voice commands or how search results are read aloud.