How to Enable Waze Voice Commands

This article explains how to turn on voice commands on the navigation app Waze, as well as some useful command phrases.

How to Turn On Voice Commands in Waze

There are three ways to use voice commands in Waze and we'll show you how:

1. Regardless of the method you use, you first need to grant Waze access to your microphone.

   • On an iOS device, select Settings > Waze > and toggle Microphone on.
   • On an Android device, select Settings > App & notifications > App permissions > Microphone and grant permission.

2. In the Waze app, tap Settings > Voice & sound. Under Voice assistant, tap Google Assistant.
   

3. Turn on Enable Google Assistant and Allow "OK Google" detection.

4. Go back a screen and tap Siri Shortcuts to add voice phrases on Waze that, "Hey Siri" will detect.

5. Now Waze is ready to accept voice commands and for you to keep your focus on the road.

   • Say "OK Google" or "Hey Siri." When Waze is running on your device, you can get the app's attention with the phrases "OK Google" or "Hey Siri," and then give a voice command. These are truly hands-free options, but they require the Waze app to be open and running on your screen.
   • Tap the Microphone. Waze has a microphone icon to the right side of the "Where to?" search bar. This will allow you to speak a potential destination or give a voice command.
     

Waze Voice Command Phrases

The app will be expecting specific phrases to complete actions at different points in your trip. Most actions have a couple of ways to say them, so you don't have to memorize them all, but you should take note so you know what Waze is expecting. After you've initiated a voice command, here's what you can say to have Waze help you out:

At the Beginning of a Drive

• Navigate home: Say "Home," "Go home," or "Take me home."
• Navigate to work: Say "Work" or "Drive to work."
• Navigate to a specific address: Say "Take me to [full address]" or "Navigate to [full address]."
• Navigate to a place: Say "Take me to [prominent destination]."
• Navigate to a type of business or service: Say "Gas station" or "Find me a [gas station, rest stop, etc.]."

During a Drive

• Ask Waze for your next turn: Say "What's my next turn?" or "Next turn."
• Ask Waze for your estimated arrival time: Say "When will I get there?"
• Ask Waze for alternate routes: Say "Show me alternate routes."

Reporting

• General report: Say "Report" or "I want to report."
• Report traffic: Say "Report traffic jam," "Report heavy traffic," or "Report moderate traffic"
• Report Police: Say "Report police."
• Report crash: Say "Report accident" or "Report major accident."
• Report hazard: Say "Report [hazard/flood/construction/pothole/vehicle stopped/animal/missing sign/fog/hail/flood/ice/snow]."
• Report camera: Say "Report camera."

Adjusting App Settings

• Sound off/on: Say "Sound off," "Mute," or "Sound on."
• Close app: Say "Close app."
• Stop navigation: Say "Stop navigation."
• Ask for help/support: Say "Help."

Knowing the right phrases will make Waze voice commands a breeze while helping you keep your eyes on the road.