How to Fix If Google Maps Voice Navigation Not Working on Android and iPhone?

Google Maps is the most popular mapping service developed by Google that provides users with satellite imagery, street maps, navigation, route planning for travelling or public transportation, and a detailed world view. It also provides various features that users can easily access on their devices. Likewise, there is a feature known for voice navigation and thanks in part to voice function. This feature guides the users with their voice to navigate, and several users also use it. Since it’s such a convenient feature, several users use voice navigation for various purposes on their devices.

Unfortunately, several users have encountered an issue with the voice navigation not working on their Android or iPhone devices which is extremely saddening and frustrating. However, you can easily fix the voice navigation not working issue by trying the possible solutions. This guide provides the main reasons why your Google Maps voice navigation was not working, and you may easily fix the problem by trying some possible troubleshooting steps.

Why Is Google Maps Voice Navigation Not Working on Android and iPhone Devices?

Various reasons cause Google Maps voice navigation not working issue. Several users reported this issue on multiple platforms, including Reddit and Twitter. However, there are several reasons why your Google Maps voice navigation is not working on Android and iPhone devices. Here are some main reasons includes:

• Sound Settings: There may be an issue with the sound on your iPhone and Android devices. If the volume is low or silent, you may face issues with voice navigation.
• Internet Connection Issue: Google Maps requires a stable internet connection to work properly on Android and iPhone devices. If the device isn’t connected to the internet connection or has a weak signal, you may experience an issue with the voice navigation on your device.
• Outdated Maps Version: It’s also possible that due to the outdated Google Maps version, the voice navigation isn’t working anymore. Make sure to check for updates on your device.
• Location Services: If the location services are disabled on your Android and iPhone devices, you may experience a voice navigation not working issue.
• Software Updates: An outdated version of the software system also cause the voice navigation not working issue on your Android and iPhone devices. Check for a system OS update and install it on your device.
• Hardware issues: There may be an issue with your phone’s hardware, such as a faulty speaker or microphone. In such cases, you should contact your device manufacturer for support.

Fix Google Maps Voice Navigation Not Working on Android and iPhone Devices?

As mentioned, Google Maps voice navigation is not working for various reasons. However, you can easily fix your Google Maps voice navigation not working issue by trying the mentioned solutions.

Fix 1: Check Volume and Sound Settings

If you have an issue with Google Maps where the voice navigation is not working on your Android and iPhone devices, you should check your volume and sound settings. Make sure the volume of your device isn’t muted.

For Android:
Tap the Volume Up button on the side of your smartphone to increase the volume level and again try to check if the Google Maps voice navigation is working. Alternatively, you can navigate to Settings > Sound. Here check the media volume isn’t set on the lowest level (or zero). If your smartphone is in Silent mode, try disabling it and increasing the volume.

For iPhone:
If you’re having an issue with Google Maps where the voice navigation is not working on your iPhone device, you should increase the volume to maximum capacity. Press the Volume Up button on the side of your iPhone to increase the volume level. Alternatively, head over to the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your phone screen and raising the volume bar. Again, try to check if the Google Maps voice navigation is working.

Fix 2: Unmute Voice Navigation

Although voice navigation is always enabled by default on your Google Maps app, and you may have accidentally disabled it, which prevents voice navigation from working on Google Maps. Make sure to disable the voice navigation on Google Maps. Here’s how.

For Android:

1. Open the Google Maps app on your device.
2. On the map navigation page, you can see the Speaker icon. Simply tap on it.
3. Now tap on the third speaker icon to Unmute voice navigation.

For iPhone:

You can use this method to unmute your iPhone’s voice navigation. Tap the speaker icon and ensure the voice navigation is set to Unmuted. Alternatively, you can also unmute voice navigation from the Google Maps settings menu. Here’s how.

1. On your Google Maps homepage, tap on the Accounts at the top right corner of the screen and select Settings.
2. Choose the Navigation option.
3. Under the Mute state option, tap Unmuted.
4. Now your Google Maps voice navigation should work without any difficulties.

Fix 3: Adjust Guidance Volume

Most Google Maps users address the same issue and fix the voice navigation not working issue just by adjusting the guidance volume settings from Normal to Louder. This might help you to fix the problem you’re facing on your Google Maps. Here’s how to do it.

For Android:

1. Launch Google Maps on your Android smartphone.
2. Tap the menu icon and navigate to Settings > Navigation settings.
3. Now change the Guidance volume to Louder.

For iPhone:

1. Launch Google Maps on your device.
2. Tap the Account section at the top right corner and navigate to Settings > Navigation. 
3. Under the Guidance volume option, tap Louder to change the volume settings.
4. Now try to access voice navigation on your device and check if the issue has been resolved.

Fix 4: Restart Your Device

If you have increased the volume level and unmuted the voice navigation from Google Maps on your Android and iPhone devices and still you’re experiencing an issue, you should try restarting your smartphones. However, It’s possible that voice navigation isn’t working on your device due to software issues and bugs which are generally found on any smartphone.

Restating the device may help you to solve the voice navigation not working issue. It also fixes other bugs and glitches on the device and gives a fresh start. Make sure to restart your Android or iPhone devices. Once finished, open Google Maps and check if the issue has been resolved. If the issue persists, try other mentioned solutions.

Fix 5: Enable Play Voice Over Bluetooth

Suppose you have connected your smartphone to a Bluetooth device (Wireless headphones or Bluetooth car receiver/ stereo system). In that case, it may cause interference with the functionality of the Google Maps voice navigation. However, if your Google Maps isn’t configured to play voice when connected to a Bluetooth accessory, voice navigation won’t work anymore on your device. Here’s how to enable the Google Maps ‘Play voice over Bluetooth’ feature.

For Android:

1. Launch Google Maps on your device and tap the Hamburger menu icon at the left corner.
2. Choose the Settings option.
3. Select Navigation settings.
4. Enable the ‘Play voice over Bluetooth’ feature by clicking on the toggle.

You can also enable the ‘Play voice during phone calls’ feature for voice navigation while making phone calls.

For iPhone:

1. On your Google Maps homepage, tap the Accounts at the top right corner of the screen and choose Settings. 
2. Tap the Navigation option.
3. Ensure the ‘Play voice over Bluetooth’ feature is enabled and active.

You can also enable the ‘Play voice during phone calls’ feature by simply tapping on the toggle, and it allows you to make and receive phone calls over Bluetooth. Now try to check whether voice navigation works on your Android and iPhone devices. If the issue persists, try other mentioned solutions.

Fix 6: Force Stop Google Maps

Suppose the Google Maps voice navigation doesn’t work after trying the above-mentioned solutions and configurations. In that case, you should Force Stop the Google Maps app on your Android and iPhone device. This will refresh the app and should get voice navigation working again. Here’s how.

For Android:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Select “Apps” > See all apps.
3. Locate Google Maps and select it from the list of applications.
4. Tap the Force Stop option.
5. Now open Google Maps and check if your device’s voice navigation is working.

For iPhone:

If you use an iPhone with a physical button (iPhone 8 Plus and older), double-tap the home button and swipe up Google Maps to close it. If you are using iPhone X and newer models, swipe the home button up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Google Maps to close it. Once finished, try opening Google Maps and check if the issue has been resolved.

 

Fix 7: Clear Google Maps Cache and Data (Android)

Clearing the Google Maps cache may help you to fix the voice navigation not working issue that you’re facing on your Android device. Clearing the cache data will remove the stored data from the files and fix the minor bugs and issues that are causing the problem with Google Maps. Here’s how to clear the cache data on your device.

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Tap on Apps > See all apps.
3. Find Google Maps from the list of applications and select it.
4. Tap on the Storage and Cache option.
5. Finally, tap on the Clear Cache option.
6. Now relaunch Google Maps and check whether the voice navigation is working.

Fix 8: Switch to Car Speakers

If inaudible, switching to car speakers can be the best option to hear voice navigation guides.

For Android

To hear the sound through car speakers, simply plug in the Aux cable from the car’s receiver to the smartphone’s earphone jack. Or follow the steps to play voice through Bluetooth.

Open Google Maps and tap on the three lines at the upper left corner of the screen.

Go to settings and select Navigation Settings there.

Toggle the “Play Voice Over Bluetooth” in the Navigation Settings menu and pair with the car speakers.

For iPhones

For iPhones, everything remains unchanged.

Instead of the three lines at the top left, click on the profile picture which is on the Google Maps application home.

Fix 9: Download Voice Directions

In most of the devices. Sometimes, Voice directions are not downloaded properly. To have this issue solved make sure to have fast internet or a stable wi-fi connection for proper downloading of Voice Directions.

For Android

Make sure that the Android device is connected to a fast internet or stable wifi. Then search the route which you want to cover and then click on Get Directions. This will make the voice directions getting download rapidly. This will further not lead to any voice direction/guide issues.

For iPhones

In the case of iPhones, the same thing applies and this can be done by a fast internet which can make the downloading of Voice directions with ease.

Fix 10: Update Your Google Maps

An outdated version of Google Maps also causes the problem you’re facing on your Android and iPhone devices. Most users experience this issue on their devices. But fortunately, fix the problem by updating Google Maps to the latest version. Here’s how to update your Google Maps app on Android and iPhone devices.

1. Open the Google Play Store or App Store on your device.
2. Search Google Maps in the search bar and select the app.
3. You will see an Update option if an update is available.
4. Tap on Update to proceed with the download.
5. Once the Google Maps app is updated, relaunch the app and check if the voice navigation is working on your device.

Update Google Maps: Android | iPhone

Fix 11: Reinstall Google Maps

If you have updated your Google Maps on your Android or iPhone devices and are still experiencing an issue with the voice navigation, you should uninstall and reinstall the app on your device. This may help you to fix the voice navigation not working issue on your device. Here’s how you can reinstall Google Maps by following the mentioned steps.

1. Open the Google Play Store or App Store on your device.
2. Search Google Maps in the search bar at the top of the screen and select the app.
3. Now tap on Uninstall button.
4. Once the app is uninstalled, tap on the Install button.
5. Now your device will start to download the Google Maps on your device.
6. Once Google Maps is installed, open it on your device.
7. Allow permission on the screen to check if your device’s voice navigation works.

Fix 12: Update Device OS

Is your Google Maps voice navigation isn’t working on your device? If yes, it’s also possible that the phone is running on an outdated software version that no longer supports Google Maps features, just like voice navigation. Make sure to update your phone OS to the latest version. Here’s how.

For Android:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Scroll down and select System.
3. Now select the System update option.
4. Your device will automatically check for available software updates.
5. If an update is available, download and install it by following the on-screen instructions.
6. Once the update is finished, restart your phone and check if the issue has been resolved.

For iPhone:

1. Head over to the Settings app on your device.
2. Choose General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. Your iPhone will automatically check for available updates, and you will be prompted to download and install the available updates.
5. Once the update is finished, restart your iPhone and again check if the voice navigation is working.

Final Words

Experiencing Google Maps voice navigation not working issue can be frustrating on your Android or iPhone devices. Thankfully, there are multiple solutions available to fix the problem. We have discussed various methods to approach this issue, from adjusting the guidance volume to updating the app or other possible solutions. Hopefully, the above-mentioned solutions will help you to fix the Google Maps voice navigation not working issue. If you have any other questions, ask in the comments section below.

Conclusion

These were the troubleshooting methods when Google Maps navigation is not working on your Android and iPhone devices. If these are not working for you, then we highly suggest you upgrade your Google Maps app through Play Store or AppStore.