Summary

Do you often find yourself unlocking your phone and then opening Google Maps to check directions?

you’re free to save yourself some trouble by using glanceable directions.

But what exactly is the glanceable directions feature, and how do you enable it?

A smartphone on the right with the screen locked, showing the Glanceable directions functionality, and another on the left, showing Google maps.

Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | Google

Here’s everything you gotta know.

What Is the Glanceable Directions Feature in Google Maps?

With glanceable directions, you could track your journey right from your smartphone lock screen.

Glanceable directions showing journey details on the lock screen.

This feature displays the remaining distance, upcoming turns, and estimated time of arrival (ETA).

Imagine you’re riding your bike and need to check the directions.

Currently, you have to unlock your phone and then open Google Maps to check the directions.

Navigation Settings option in the Google Maps settings page.

The ability to keep your phone locked also means there is less risk if someone snatches it from you.

You’ll need to manually enable it in the app on youriPhoneandAndroidsmartphone.

This feature may not currently work on your iPhone.

Glanceable directions while navigating toggle in Google maps.

Select “Navigate parameters.”

On the iPhone, it’ll just be “Navigation” instead of “Navigation parameters.”

activate the “Glanceable Directions While Navigating” toggle.

when you obtain completed these steps, you will see glanceable directions in action on your smartphone.

Although it’s nothing particularly groundbreaking, it is a great quality of life improvement.