7 amazing Google Maps tricks you didn't even know existed

7 amazing Google Maps tricks you didn't even know existed. Since Google launched Google Maps in early 2005, the search giant hasn't taken its foot off the gas.

Over the past 17 years, Google has steadily added a plethora of new features to its ubiquitous search app.

As a result, the Google Maps today it's packed with a wide variety of power user features lurking just beneath the surface.

That being said, if you want to take your game from Google Maps to the next level, you've come to the right place. Below, we've compiled a list of cool Google Maps tips you probably didn't even know existed.

One-handed use

This is one of my favorite Google Maps tips. If you are trying to zoom in on an area, you can manage it without resorting to a pinch-to-zoom action with both hands.

Instead, you can zoom in with just one finger. You can do this by double-tapping the screen.

Keep your finger on the screen after the second tap and now move your finger up or down. Moving your finger down will zoom in. Moving your finger up will zoom out.

Put Google Pegman in a costume

Google Pegman is the little yellow character on Google Maps that you can magically place on a map.

Typically, he is a small yellow character. But there are some Pegman easter eggs that will put Pegman in different costumes.

For example, if you do a Google Maps search for Buckingham Palace, Pegman will dress like the Queen, as seen below.

7 amazing Google Maps tricks you didn't even know existed

Likewise, if you search Area 51, Pegman will transform into an alien figure.

And lastly, if you search for Loch Ness on Google Maps, Pegman will transform into a sea monster.

This Google Maps tip may not be useful, but it's fun to play with.

Park like a pro with these Google Maps tips

Now, this is a Google Maps tip that will really make your life easier. You can use Google Maps to check the parking situation at your intended location in advance. To do this, the first thing you need to do is enter your destination.

Then select the driving directions option.

Once you do this, you can view parking information about the location by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.

Remember where your car is parked

In part two of our Google Maps parking tip. Once you park, you can use Google Maps to remember exactly where you parked.

This tip is a godsend if you find yourself in a crowded mall or sports arena.

To set a pin at your parking location, open the Google Maps app. Then tap the blue dot that illustrates your current location.

From there, you should see a list of options, one of which should be “Set as Parking Location.” Once you select it, you can easily find your car later.

Use Google Maps offline

However, this is a useful Google Maps tip if you're low on battery or if you know you'll be heading to an area with poor reception.

However To use Google Maps offline, open Google Maps on your smartphone and tap your profile icon in the top right corner.

In fact a menu should appear, along with an option for offline maps. Select it and you will now be able to specify which mapping area you want to download.

However, once you download an area to your device, you can access it whenever you want.

It's worth adding that users can download multiple Google Maps areas to their devices at the same time.

7 amazing Google Maps tricks you didn't even know existed

Share your location with friends and family

This is another useful Google Maps tip that should make your life easier.

Instead of texting friends and family updated arrival times as your situation changes, you can have Google Maps do all the heavy lifting for you.

However To take advantage of this, enter your location and start driving directions. Then swipe up from the bottom, where you will see the “Share trip progress” option.

In fact If you click on it, you can share your location with designated friends or family until you arrive.

Measure the distance between two locations

In fact This is a great way to quickly measure the distance between two locations. To get started, drop a pin anywhere on the map. After tapping the pin once, you will see the “Measure distance” option below.

Finally After touching this, now you can roll on the screen and quickly check the distance between the two locations.