Who doesnt love Google Maps? The Maps Android app helps those of us with oatmeal for brains find our way anywhere, without having to fire any neurons or exercise any synapses. It even helps us find places to pick up tasty cuisine like, uh, oatmeal (yum!).But theres much more to Google Maps than meets the eye and odds are, you arent taking advantage of at least a few handy hidden features lurking within the Maps Android app. With Android 16 now right around the corner and more shiny new Googley goodies showing up left and right lately, I thought itd be a fine time to dive deep into this ever-evolving Android anchor and think through some of its more off-the-beaten-path advanced options.Take a few minutes to explore these possibilities the next time youve got Maps pulled up on your phone, and get ready to experience the world around you in a whole new way.[Psst: Love shortcuts? My Android Shortcut Supercourse will teach you tons of time-saving tricks for your phone stretching far beyond Maps borders. Sign up now for free!]Google Maps Android trick #1: Better directionsThe most important part of Maps is navigation right? And yet, the Maps Android apps best navigation experience is curiously tucked away in a labyrinth of options and disabled by default. In fact, most average roaming land mammals would never even know the superior route exists!But hey, youre reading this column. You clearly arent an average organism. So lets take your Maps adventuring to the next level, shall we?Start by opening up the Maps app on your phone, then:Tap your profile picture in the apps upper-right corner.Select Settings, then scroll way down and select Navigation.Scroll down again until you see the section labeled Glanceable directions while navigating, and flip the toggle within that section into the on and active position.One quick switch, and boom: The next time you search for a specific location, youll see the detailed steps and ETA info right on the route overview from the second you hit the Directions button.Google Maps glanceable directions options makes it infinitely easier to see where youre going at a glance.JR Raphael / IDGMuch better, wouldnt ya say?!Google Maps Android trick #2: Drive time IQWhile were thinking about smarter directions, make a mental note of this route to higher Maps enlightenment: You can find out how long any specific drive is likely to take at any specific time with the help of Maps intelligent traffic estimation tool.Just search for a location in the Android Maps app, then tap the Directions button and put in whatever starting point you want.Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner of the same box where you typed the address, then select Set depart or arrive time. You can then specify exactly when you want to leave or when you want to arrive with a specific day and time and Maps will show you the likely traffic conditions and estimated travel time for that exact moment, based on mountains of historical data.Google Maps Android trick #3: Faster pathsHeres an interesting one that I only learned about recently by way of some chatter in my Intelligence Insider Community: By default, Maps now gives you directions based on the most fuel-efficient path to your destination.Thats great if youre trying to save on gas, but when youre really in a hurry, you may just want the absolute fastest path possible even if it potentially costs you a few extra pennies.If so, do this:Speed your way back into the Maps Android apps settings and again head into the Navigation area.Scroll down to the Route options section of the screen.See the line labeled Prefer fuel-efficient routes? Tap the toggle next to it to turn it off.And if you wouldrather stick with the fuel-efficient path, theres still an option in that area youll want to adjust:Within the Navigation area of the Maps apps settings, tap the line labeled Your vehicles.Select the type of car youre actually using gas, diesel, electric, or hybrid.Thatll help Maps better select routes based on actual fuel (or energy) use for your specific vehicle type, if thats the navigation approach youd prefer.Google Maps Android trick #4: Car customizationWhy stick with the boring ol blue dot to represent your location during a Maps navigation?As of a very recent update, the Android Maps app now empowers you to pick your own custom icon to represent your vehicle as youre driving which can be both fun and practical, since it makes it a whole lot easier to spot yourself at a glance. A custom icon even carries over to a cars display via Android Auto, too, so youll see it there once you select it.Best of all? Itll take you all of 20 seconds to do.Google Maps Android trick #5: Advanced maneuversSpeaking of making your way around maps, sometimes, it isnt exactly practical or maybe even possible to use two fingers to pinch and zoom your way around an area.So remember this useful alternative: In addition to the standard pinch-to-zoom system, the Android Maps app supports a secret gesture for zooming in or out of any map view. Just double-tap anywhere on an active map screen, then keep your finger down and slide it up to zoom out or down to zoom in. You can also just double-tap without the slide to zoom in a teensy bit at a time.Beyond that, you can spin a map around to change your perspective by placing your index finger and thumb on the screen and then twisting em together to the left or right and you can shift into a funky three-dimensional flyover view of any area youre examining by placing two fingers on a map together and sliding em upward on the screen.Google Maps Android trick #6: Smarter searchingI dont know about you, but I tend to be a semi-obsessive planner. And part of that, erm, condition means a burning need to know, anticipate, and well, yknow, plan things out ahead of time.Maps has a splendid system for this sort of in-advance organization. The next time youre looking at directions to a specific spot, try this:From the directions screen within the Android Maps app the first screen you see after tapping the Directions button for any given destination tap the Start button to begin a navigation (even if you arent actually ready to roll quite yet!).Once the navigation is active, swipe upward on the bar at the bottom of the screen, where you see your current travel time.In the menu that pops up, select Search along route.You can then type any term into the box that appears to seek out a specific place along the way or look for, say, restaurants, gas stations, or any other type of business imaginable.Searching along a specific route is one of Maps most helpful hidden options.JR Raphael / IDGGoogle Maps Android trick #7: On-demand contextWhen youre looking at a specific location within the Android Maps app be it a restaurant or any other type of business you can now lean on Googles next-gen Gemini assistant to learn more about it on demand, without having to do any manual digging.Youll need to be using Gemini as your devices default assistant in order for this to work. Provided thats the case, pull up any location within Maps and then summon Gemini either by pressing and holding your physical power button or using the Hey Google launch phrase.See the new Ask about place option above its main prompt area?Gemini integrates with the Android Maps app to offer on-demand info when summoned.JR Raphael, FoundryTap that and then, you can simply ask anything you want to know about the place present on your screen. And Gemini will serve up answers.You can ask all sorts of questions about locations and get instant info from Googles Gemini assistant.JR Raphael, FoundryGoogle Maps Android trick #8: Helpful hailingThe next time you need a lift somewhere be it via the actual Lyft service, Uber, or some other ridesharing provider save yourself some steps and order your ride directly from the familiar Maps interface.Start by searching for a specific place and then tapping the Directions button, as if you were gonna make the trek on your own. Then, look for the icon with a person waving her hand in the air like she just dont care (or, erm, like shes hailing a cab). Your friendly waver should show up within the directions panel at the bottom of the screen, to the right of the biking guy. If you dont see her right away, swipe horizontally along that line to reveal her.The Android Maps app integrates with ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber, provided you have the associated apps installed.JR Raphael, FoundryThatll show you current prices and wait times for both Lyft and Uber, right then and there, and allow you to hop directly into the ride-ordering process within either app assuming you have them installed. (If you arent seeing any of this, incidentally, you probably need to install a compatible rideshare app first so Maps will detect it and start showing the associated info.)Google Maps Android trick #9: Location curationOne of the Android Maps apps most underappreciated features is its ability to let you create collections of places and then revisit em or share em with other human person-people later. Its like a super-specific sort of bookmarking service thats all about locations and connected directly to your favorite navigation companion.And its super-practical, too, whether youre looking to get organized ahead of a Very Important Business Trip or even just to plan around a drive to a different part of town for some manner of work-related meeting.To take advantage of the system, tap the You tab at the bottom of the Maps app, then look for the section labeled Your lists. Tap the New list command within that area of the screen, and you can then give your fancy new list a name and a description and decide whether you want it to be private, shared only with specific people, or public for anyone to find.Location lists are a lovely way to save related places for future reference for yourself or for a group.JR Raphael / IDGWith shared lists, you can even opt to let other people edit and add their own items into the mix an easy way to collaborate with colleagues, cousins, or chinchillas on a list of lustworthy lunch spots or business supply stop-bys.Google Maps Android trick #10: Spot savingRemember way back in the early days of Android when one of the most popular apps was a simple little tool called Car Locator? No? Well, I do but then again, Ive been writing about Android for approximately 973 years now. (Related: I may or may not be a wise, if somewhat shriveled, tortoise elder.)These days, that app is long gone but little-known fact: Maps itself can do exactly what it used to do and save any location you want, then help you mosey back to it later.The next time your noggin needs a memory aide, just open up Maps and tap the blue dot that represents your current location. Thatll pull up a big honkin menu, within which youll see the incredibly useful Save parking option inside a horizontally scrolling bar of buttons toward the top of the panel. (And dont let yourself be fooled: While its official purpose may revolve around parking, you can just as easily use the feature to save any kind of location for any reason you want.)Tap that option, and thats it: Your current location will be burned into Maps memory. If you want to add extra info to help your own mushy mammal brain later, swipe up on the bar that says Parking location at the bottom of the screen. You can then enter notes about your saved location (what level you parked on, how many oatmeal-serving establishments were in the vicinity, and so on), attach photos (you making silly faces in front of various passersby, etc), and create an alert to remind you about the location after a certain amount of time has elapsed.Saving your location may be the best way you put Maps to use, ever.JR Raphael / IDGWhen youre ready to get back to your car or whatever sort of spot youve saved all youve gotta do is tap that same Parking location bar at the bottom of the Maps app or look for the Parking location notification from anywhere in your phone.Google Maps Android trick #11: Shared perspectiveNext up: Help someone find you or maybe just give em an update on your whereabouts and progress by tapping the blue location dot within the main Maps screen and then selecting Share location from the menu that comes up.Thatll let you send anyone a link to follow your location in real-time on a map for a specific amount of time or until you turn the feature off. You can beam the link directly into another app or service on your phone to get it wherever you need. You can also even ask Maps to give you helpful notifications about someones whereabouts once theyve opted into location sharing with you, if you want.(And yes, this is the same underlying location sharing system now also available within Googles Find My Device app as well as the Google Contacts app for Android.)Alternatively, if youre in the midst of a navigation, swipe up on the time estimate panel at the bottom of the Maps navigation screen. There, youll find a handy hidden Share trip progress option thatll do exactly what you desire.Google Maps Android trick #12: Traffic trackingDid you know Maps can show you live, real-time traffic info as youre navigating with your phone? All youve gotta do is tell it you want that info a feat thatll require approximately seven seconds of your time.The next time youre in the midst of a navigation within the Maps app on your phoneSwipe up on that time estimate panel at the bottom of the screen.Flip the toggle next to Show traffic on map.Perform a spritely little jig to celebrate whilst whistling the tune of Tom Cochranes timeless 1991 hit song Life Is a Highway. ** Jig and whistling optional but highly recommendedGoogle Maps Android trick #13: Private perusingOn your way to a secret lair? Well, look at you, Bruce Wayne. Pin this bit of info to your amygdala: If you tap your profile picture in the Maps app and then select Turn on Incognito mode, Maps will temporarily stop saving your location and using it for any future purposes. And no one not even Google will know where you are.Not to worry: Your secrets safe with me.Google Maps Android trick #14: Hands-free helpingLast but not least, youd be forgiven for forgetting or maybe not ever knowing but Maps has its own custom set of voice commands that work whenever youre in the midst of a navigation. All youve gotta do is say Hey Google or activate your assistant in whatever manner you prefer, and then shout out the command in question.So buckle up here are some of the more intriguing possibilities:Hows traffic ahead?Hows traffic home?Show the route overview.Show an alternate route.Whats my ETA?What road is this?Whats my next turn?Navigate home.Avoid tolls.Avoid highways.Find a gas station.Take me to Best Buy.Find a restaurant.Find me somewhere that serves oatmeal, gosh darn it.That last one may or may not work, but hey its always worth a shot.Go beyond Maps and get even more Android shortcut knowledge with my free Android Shortcut Supercourse. Youll learn tons of time-saving tricks for your phone!