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Google Maps Laggy – Best Ways to Make it Work Faster

google maps laggy

If Google Maps has become slow and is also taking ages to show you the routes. Then given below are some handy tips in order to speed up the app. However, there are many navigation apps, still, the one from Google is right there at the top. Not only does it offers the most precise directions, however, its tons of useful features also earn a few points. Satellite View, Panoramic, real-time traffic alerts, 360-degree view, are just some of the app’s noteworthy features too. In this article, we are going to talk about Google Maps Laggy – Best Ways to Make it Work Faster. Let’s begin!

But, not everyone seems to be able to make full use of these functionalities. Users are also complaining that Google Maps have become really slow and unresponsive. Thus are looking for ways in order to make it function faster. Even across Google also Support Forums, many users have shared their concerns regarding this ‘issue’ as well.

What is Google Maps?

The Google Maps is the most widely used mapping system actually. It also has a powerful navigation system inbuilt in order to help users get to where they actually want to go. The app also uses GPS satellites to map as much visible land as possible.

The app has some great features such as Live traffic, Voice commands, offline maps, and much more. The latter lets you download many routes in case you move out of network coverage on the way. This helpful feature is really great for long-distance travel, there you don’t know how good your network may be.

Google Maps Laggy – Best Ways to Make it Work Faster

Well, there isn’t any universal as well as a single fix for this. You should have to try all the below-mentioned tips until you feel the issue has rectified. In that regard, many times using two or more tips in conjunction would also prove to be useful. So just keep these points in mind and then proceed with the below tips.

Make sure mobile data is working fine

Google Maps depends heavily on your data to load its maps. That is why making sure that you have good connectivity is key to have your Google Maps app load instantly. The easiest way to check if your mobile data is working fine is to try and also send a message over an app such as WhatsApp. If the message goes through, then it means your data is working.

If you notice your mobile data isn’t working, then you need to check that it is turned on on your device. Head to your device’s Settings > Connections > Data usage, and then turn on Mobile data.

Turn off Data Saver | google maps laggy

Data saver is a really useful function available on your device which helps you restrict apps from using too much data in the background. However, as mentioned above, Google Maps need a lot of data, especially if you guys are traveling, and also the map needs to keep loading. Turning off the data saver will lift any data restriction that may be imposed on the app.

In order to turn off Data saver, go to your Device Settings > Connections > Data usage, and turn ‘Data saver’ off.

Make sure GPS is working alright

Google Maps needs to be able to access your location actually. If it cannot pinpoint where you are it will continue to try until you guys close the app. The best way in order to fix GPS problems is to restart your device.

Also, just make sure that your device’s location setting is turned on. To do that, go to your device Settings > Location and then toggle the button on.

google maps laggy

You can also calibrate the app’s compass in order to help it locate you faster on the map. To do that, just launch Google maps and wait for it to pinpoint your location. Now click on the blue location dot. Click ‘Calibrate compass’ at the bottom of the screen and then follow the on-screen instructions.

google maps laggy

Turn on Improved accuracy | google maps laggy

Improved accuracy is actually a way to allow apps to use both Wifi and Bluetooth to pinpoint your exact geo-location as well. This also even works when your Wifi is turned off! The function is especially helpful whenever your device is not communicating along with the GPS satellites well.

To enable Improved accuracy on your device, just head to the device Settings > Location and click on ‘Improve accuracy’. Here you can turn on ‘Wi-Fi scanning’ as well as ‘Bluetooth scanning’ as well.

You have to use the Google Maps web client instead

If you guys feel the app too slow to use, you can try to use the Google Maps web version instead. If you sign in with the same Google account, all of your personal saved information such as favorite places, home and work commutes, etc., will sync.

But, it should be noted that the web version does not support navigation. you can use it to explore Google Maps, however, you will be redirected to the app for navigation.

Clear cache and/or data of Google Maps app | google maps laggy

If the app’s cache is too large, it could cause the app in order to slow down, or also even hinder it from starting up. Clearing the app case will not actually affect any saved personal data on the app.

  • If you want to clear the cache, head to your device’s Settings > Apps and search for the ‘Maps’ app.
  • Just head to ‘Storage’ and tap ‘Clear cache’ in the bottom right corner.
  • When you have cleared the cache, open the Google Maps app. It may also take a bit longer the first time. However, after that, you should see it speed up.
  • If clearing the cache doesn’t help, then you can use the ‘Clear data’ option in order to clear all data of the Google Maps app on the phone. Basically, then reset the app. But before this, you can also try other solutions given below.

Update old Offline maps

If you guys are using offline maps to navigate, then you must make sure that they are updated. Google Maps mostly sends you a reminder to update the maps each and every few months. You can also set your maps in order to auto-update. Then this way you don’t have to worry about your offline maps outdate.

To do that, open the Google Maps app. Now click on your profile in the top right corner and scroll down to ‘Offline maps as well.

Enable Satellite view | google maps laggy

The satellite view is a cool feature that provides you an actual view of what a specific location just looks like from the top. Naturally, this setting needs a huge amount of data in order to load up the map. If you are traveling and using navigation, then the Satellite view is going to constantly use data to load your map.

To turn off the Satellite view, just open the Google Maps app and click the Layers icon on the right panel. Then under ‘Map type’ choose ‘Default’. This will significantly decrease your app’s data usage.

Update Offline Maps

If you guys are using previously saved routes, then it is recommended to always keep these maps up to date. Otherwise, it might take some time before the app is able to load them actually. This in turn would actually slow down Google Maps actually. Apart from that, if some old saved routes no longer need, then it is advised to delete them as well. This will make the app lightweight and take much less time in order to load.

  • First, just open Maps on your device.
  • Click on your profile picture situated at the top right.
  • Then head to the Offline Maps section and click on the Settings icon (top right).
  • Turn on the Auto-update offline maps option.
  • Then head back to the Offline Maps section. Click on the overflow icon situated next to your saved maps
  • Choose Remove from the menu and do that for all the maps that you no longer need.

Remove offline maps | google maps laggy

Offline maps are a great help in locations of low network connectivity, also take up quite a bit of space. Relying on the size of the map downloaded, these maps can go more than a GB in size! If you have some old offline maps saved, that you aren’t using anymore actually, it is best to wipe them.

If you want to delete your offline maps, just open the Google Maps app, and tap on your profile in the top right corner. Just scroll down to ‘Offline maps.

Press the three dots beside the downloaded map and choose ‘Remove’. You can do this for each of the saved maps.

Reinstall the app

A clean install of the app could fix any compatibility issue that you might face. Before you guys reinstall the app though, just always restart your device. This also makes sure that there are no residual files left behind via the uninstalled app.

To uninstall the app, just head to device Settings > Apps > Google Maps. Click ‘Uninstall’ in the bottom panel. Now just restart your device.

Head over to Google Play Store or Apple App Store and then download the Google Maps app. You will have to sign in with your Google account to access all your saved places as well.

Download Google Maps: Android | iOS

Turn on Power Saving mode | google maps laggy

Yes, this may seem unintuitive, however, enabling Power saving mode on your device could actually help you to speed up your Google Maps app. Power Saving mode works through restricting background apps’ data and location. This in turn frees up the same for the foreground app, which in this case is Google Maps.

However, turning on power-saving mode may also affect the Google Maps app’s performance too. So you must make sure that you do not minimize Google Maps whenever in Power Saving mode. Because you will restrict the app’s location usage. When the system detects you have via the app for a while. It will permit the Maps app to run even in the background without any restrictions.

To enable Power Saving mode on Samsung devices, open your device settings, and head to Device care > Battery > Power mode. Press the ‘Medium power saving’. Note: Different devices may also have the setting under a different name. Then search for ‘Optimized mode’, ‘Battery saver’ to find the setting.

Further

On non-Samsung devices, it could be called via a different name. Anyway, you can simply use the toggle button for the Power mode. Or also the ultra-saving power mode, from the notification center as well. Pull down the notification bar two times, and then just locate the power-saving Quick Setting toggles available there. Click on the power-saving mode you want to use to turn it on.

But, using ultra-power-saving mode is not advised as on some devices, it may not permit the Maps app to even function. You can click and hold on the Quick Setting toggle in order to reach its settings. And then turn on regular power-saving mode from there as well.

Google Maps alternatives | google maps laggy

If you are not satisfied with the Google Maps app, there are other options out there. Some of these are just as good, if not better in certain ways than Google Maps. Here are some of the top alternatives for the Google Maps app.

Waze

Waze is easily the most fun navigation tool out there as well. The social integration of the app lets users report accidents, traffic jams, construction, and much more. A recently added function even also lets you locate nearby ‘Wazers’.

waze

The app does have a less detailed map and is primarily used for navigation as well.

MapQuest

MapQuest is a really great Google Maps alternative. It has all the functions you want from a navigation tool. It also has a handy ‘Gas estimation’ tool that also lets you know how much you will probably spend to cover the distance. Of course, this is not really accurate, however, it’s an important function to have!

Download MapQuest: Android | iOS

Maps.me

Maps.me is also perfect for off-roading where you don’t know the next time you will have a stable network connection. The app works offline and automatically downloads data whenever you connect to a wireless network. This is great if you are worried about running out of data on the road actually.

You can also view locations and businesses around you, even when offline!

Download Maps.me: Android | iOS

Conclusion

Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.

Have a Great Day!

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