Content

• Steps

To determine the current location on Google Maps, you need to enable location services on your phone or tablet. Google Maps cannot display your current location on desktop. This wikiHow teaches you how to enable location services so you can see your current location on the Google Maps app.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Use Google Maps on Android

1. 

   Turn on location services on Android. Google Maps needs to determine your current location, so this feature must be enabled. Here's how to do it:
   • Open the app Settings (Settings) in the app drawer.
   • Click the magnifying glass icon.
   • Import Location into the search bar.
   • Click the switch next to the option Location (Location).
     • Or you can swipe down from the top of the home screen with two fingers and tap the Location icon. This option has a pin on the map.

2. 

   
   
   Open the Google Maps app. The app has a map icon with a red Google location marker inside.
   • If you don't have Google Maps yet, you can go to the store Google Play Store to load.

3. 

   
   
   Click the Location button. This map compass icon or blue compass needle (depending on the map view) is in the lower right corner of the screen. The map will adjust based on your current location (marked with a blue dot).
   • A flexible blue cone around a green dot represents the direction in front of you.
   • Now you can pinch your finger on the screen and then zoom in or out to make it easier to see your current and surrounding location.
   advertisement

Method 2 of 2: Use Google Maps on iPhone & iPad

1. 

   
   
   Turn on location services in settings. Google Maps needs to use location services to determine your current location. Here's how to enable this feature:
   • Open the app Settings.
   • Click Privacy (Private).
   • Click Location Services.
   • Click the switch next to the "Location Services" option.

2. 

   Open the Google Maps app. The app has a map icon with a red Google location marker inside, usually on the home screen.
   • If your iPhone or iPad doesn't have Google Maps yet, you can download it from App Store. Application App Store green with a capital "A" inside.

3. 

   Tap the blue paper airplane location button (or the blue compass needle, depending on the mode you're using) in the lower right corner of the map. The map will adjust based on your current location (marked with a blue dot).
   • A flexible blue cone around a green dot represents the direction in front of you.
   • Now you can pinch your finger on the screen and then zoom in or out to make it easier to see your current and surrounding location.
   advertisement