Google Maps Update for Android and iPhone

How to get and use the nav app's new public transit features

By Robert Earl Wells III
Updated on December 2, 2020

The 15th-anniversary Google Maps update rolled out in February 2020, included new public transit features to assist commuters. To take advantage of these Google Maps updates, you must make sure you're running the latest version of the mobile app.

Information in this article applies to Google Maps for Android and iOS devices.

How Often Is Google Maps Updated?

Google regularly releases updates for Google Maps to ensure accuracy and improve directions. If your smartphone or tablet is set up to automatically update Android apps, these new features will become available right away. However, if you want to make sure you're running the latest version, you can perform a manual update.

You can also enable automatic updates for iPhone apps to keep Google Maps up to date.

How to Update Google Maps on Android

To update Maps for Android:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app, and tap the hamburger menu in the top-left corner.

  2. Tap My apps & games.

  3. If you see Maps under the Updates pending section, tap Update next to the app. If it was recently updated, you'll see it listed in the lower half of the screen.

    Updating Google Maps

How to Update the Google Maps App on iPhone

The process for updating Google maps on iOS is very similar:

  1. Open the Apple App Store.

  2. Tap Updates in the bottom-right corner.

  3. Scroll down and look for Google Maps. If you see it, tap Update next to the app. Enter your Apple ID and password if prompted.

    Updating Google Maps on iPhone

Google Maps Public Transit Features

In 2019, Google Maps started asking users how crowded their bus, tram, or subway ride was to provide estimates for other commuters. The 15th-anniversary update for Google Maps gives commuters even more opportunities to share information about their local public transit system.

When you take public transit while following directions from Google Maps, the app will send you a survey requesting feedback about your ride. You'll be asked about the temperature, whether or not there are security cameras on-board, and how accessible it is for those with special needs.

If this information has already been provided by other users, it will appear when you search for directions via public transit. To see all feedback from other users and give your own input, scroll to the right and tap View all.

Public transit features in Google Maps

Google also introduced Voice Guidance for Google Maps to help pedestrians navigate on foot.

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