How one can allow Google Maps Bluetooth tunnel navigation

GPS navigation has essentially modified the way in which we commute and transfer all over the world. Principally gone are the times when paper maps have been must-haves to search out your manner round on a street journey. Now, you’ll be able to merely activate Google Maps and get the place that you must go.

Nevertheless, even with all of the perks of GPS, the tech nonetheless has its shortcomings. It really works nice if you’re under an open sky, however go someplace with a extra obscured view of the solar — an underground tunnel or downtown core, for instance — and you may rapidly see your telephone lose connection to the satellites pinpointing your location.

It won’t be that massive of a deal when the place you are going, or if there’s just one street forward, however when you encounter forks, layered overpasses, or conflicting exits — you is perhaps in a little bit of bother.

With its newest navigation characteristic, Google is attempting to assist customers discover their manner even in tunnels, guaranteeing they by no means get misplaced. Here is how the brand new characteristic works, and the way you should utilize it in your subsequent journey.

How does tunnel navigation work in Google Maps?

Tunnel navigation might sound area of interest, however it may well show to be extraordinarily helpful when you’re new to a metropolis and instantly end up misplaced underground. Shedding GPS sign in some conditions is perhaps annoying and even tense, so having the device enabled can take a load off your thoughts and assist you to get the place that you must go quicker.

You may suppose that such a know-how can be tough to work out. In spite of everything, a GPS sign is definitely misplaced underground. Luckily, tunnel navigation makes use of a intelligent workaround that allows your telephone to attach with a satellite tv for pc with out, at the very least technically, being in direct vary of 1.

Waze was one of many first to introduce tunnel navigation in 2016, and because the firm is owned by Google, it was solely a matter of time earlier than the characteristic made its strategy to Maps. Firstly of 2024, the search big rolled out the characteristic to Android customers.

As satellite tv for pc indicators cannot journey underground or go via concrete, Google had to think about a novel strategy to transmit GPS info. The corporate finally settled on specialised, battery-powered Bluetooth units known as Waze beacons. When a tunnel is supplied with them, the beacons on the entrance seize GPS info from overhead satellites and relay that information to the beacons additional into the tunnel, primarily offering GPS protection the place the know-how would not usually be accessible. Then, your telephone can hook up with these beacons and entry GPS info as if it was coming from an everyday satellite tv for pc.

Will tunnel navigation work in each tunnel?

Sadly, as a result of tunnel navigation relies on Bluetooth beacons, Google can not assure the characteristic will work in each tunnel — at the very least not but. For now, it is restricted to a couple places. You should use it in cities resembling Paris, New York, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro.

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With time, this tech is bound to proliferate, so you’ll be able to make sure that protection will broaden.

How one can allow tunnel navigation in Google Maps?

As I discussed earlier than, regardless that tunnel navigation has been current on Waze since 2016, it is a fully new characteristic for Google Maps customers. The flexibility to make use of location providers in tunnels first appeared in Google’s navigation app in Oct. 2023 as a restricted check earlier than the corporate started rolling out the characteristic globally in Jan. 2024. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless some limitations to availability.

Firstly, tunnel navigation is barely accessible on Android units. So when you have an iPhone, you are out of luck. Google has but to share details about an iOS launch, so Apple customers will must be affected person.

For those who’re not seeing tunnel navigation in your Android machine, chances are you’ll must replace Google Maps. The characteristic solely seems within the latest construct of the app.

When you’re operating the newest model of Maps, this is methods to allow tunnel navigation:

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Faucet your profile image within the high proper nook.
3. Choose Settings.
4. Faucet Navigation settings.
5. Scroll down to search out the Driving choices menu.
6. Faucet the Bluetooth tunnel beacons toggle to allow the characteristic.

As soon as it is turned on, your telephone will routinely hook up with accessible

Bluetooth beacons
and proceed utilizing GPS even within the longest tunnels.