Google Maps often introduces several new features. Previously Google Maps let you download offline maps and see public transport information, now the helpful Maps app has added a horde of features that undoubtedly amp up the whole experience. P> Contents1. Use AR mode for better visualization 2. See traffic patterns3. Explore things around you4. Check speed limits5. Share location6. In-app music controls7. Feature your favorite place8. Record your parking and photos9. Explore the Blue Dot10 menu. Add home and work address11. Set departure or arrival time12. Follow companies13. Choose your preference13. Switch to night mode while drivingHappy exploring! 
In this article, we have compiled some of the latest and most timeless helpful Google Maps tips and tricks you should be using in 2019. Check it out.
If you frequently use Google Maps walking directions, you'll love the new AR mode. Available to Local Guides level 5 and above (for now), this one makes it easier to see the directions you need to take.
AR Mode combines the duo of visual positioning and machine learning services to show your surroundings in real time. So just point your camera and start walking.
But before doing that, make sure you have enabled the settings. To do this, go to Settings> Navigation Settings and toggle the switch for AR Walking Navigation.
Another nifty setting of Google Maps is its traffic forecast. This simple feature will show you the peak and lower times of a route so you can plan your trip accordingly.
To find the congestion pattern, search for a location and view the information card at the bottom. You will see a nice traffic map with timetables.
Cool tip :You can also tap the Commute tab and check the status of your regular routes. Also, if Google Maps has data for your city's transit schedules, you can check the train and bus status. Until a few years ago, Google Maps was quite limited with location-related features. Now it's more of a local guide where you can also find and explore places around you. For example, if you want to find great cafes and local attractions, let the Explore tab be your new BFF.
At the same time, you can find reviews of a particular place and bookmark it for future reference. To locate these places, open Maps and tap on the Explore tab.
Another new feature in Google Maps is Speed Limit, a feature that Waze has had for some time. Until recently, Google Maps supported the feature available only through third-party apps.
Fortunately, you can now see the maximum speed limit in the lower left corner of your map. Additionally, you will receive an audio notification when you approach the speed limit. The only problem is that this feature is only available in a few countries so far – Denmark, UK and USA.
We all know that real-time location sharing hogs phone battery life. In the worst scenarios, this can lead to the premature death of the phone. Luckily, Maps location sharing feature will show you the battery status so you know the reason if the location suddenly stops updating.
To verify this, open the Share location map. You will see the battery icon under the name. And if you meet in a common place, you just have to activate the Share your location button.
How many times have you closed Google Maps just to change the song playing? In my case, so many times that I lost count. This should change with the new Google Maps update. With it, you can skip songs or play/pause currently playing songs right in the app.
The only problem is that Maps currently only supports three players:Play Music, Spotify, and Apple Music. To turn it on, open the left menu, open Settings> Navigation settings and turn on the Show media playback controls switch.
From now on, you'll find the music controls at the bottom.
Did you know that you can add notes from a particular location to your collection? These two smart features let you turn this map app into a mini note-taking app.
To save a place to your list collection, find it on Maps, tap the info card, and tap the save button. Next, tap New List and add the name of the list.
Once you've included it in the list, add a note and save it. To view saved places, open the left menu and select Your Places> Saved and choose the list you want to view.
Save Parking is perhaps one of the best features of Google Maps. This simple feature saves a particular parking location until you access it the next time. And the good news is that the instant you tap the search box (inside Maps), the parking location immediately appears.
To save parking, tap the blue dot and tap Save your parking option.
You can also add a photo to it to make it easier for you to find the place. To do this, tap Save Parking Map at the bottom. Add the photo with the notes (pillar number, street number), and that's it.
Another cool feature of the Blue dot menu is See nearby places. As the name suggests, it allows you to see all the interesting places around your current location. To access it, press the blue dot, select the second option and voila!
Google Maps also lets you add your home address and work address, making it incredibly easy to see traffic conditions when you want to get out. Similar to Save your Parking, these addresses always appear at the top of your search results.
To save an address, go to Settings> Add home or work> Set home/work address and find the location.
For convenience, choose your mode of transportation, select the date and days you usually travel, and press the finish button.
From now on, you can say goodbye to the redundant work of searching for the same addresses again and again.
Now you should know that Google Maps shows you the travel time according to the current time. It also allows you to check the approximate time of your commute to work, just in case you want to plan ahead.
If you remember correctly, this feature was only available on the desktop version of Google Maps.
To access it, search for a location, then tap the three-dot menu. Select the third option, add the time according to your needs and you will see the approximate arrival.
Yes, just like Instagram Like, but on a slightly different level. The Follow button on Google Maps is available for most businesses and cafes. So, if you want to receive updates from your favorite cafe, search for it on maps, open the information tab and press the Follow button.
After that, Google Maps will notify you of any information regarding the For You section.
Speaking of the For You section, did you know that you can customize it to your preferences? So if you want to see fewer breakfast places and more restaurants that serve Cuban cuisine, the Preference section makes it all possible.
Go to Settings> Explore Places> Food &Drink Preferences, and add Favorite Places. At the same time, remove some places you don't like via the Not Interested tab.
Recommendations are not immediately visible and may take some time.
Normally, Google Maps goes into dark mode after sunset. Dark mode is both easy on the eyes and saves battery life. But did you know that you can switch to this mode even during the day?
This nifty setting is hidden under the navigation settings. All you have to do is open it, scroll down and select Night under Color Scheme.
After that, whenever you press the Start button for directions, Maps goes into dark mode. Good, right?
Now all you have to do is put on your explorer hat and explore the places in and around your favorite haunts.
Did we forget to include one of your favorite settings? If so, let us know via the comments section.
Next:Speaking of maps and driving, check out the post for some amazing car gadgets that are sure to add to your driving experience.
