Google just announced the biggest upgrade to Maps in over a decade. The company has introduced two major features to the navigation app – Ask Maps and Immersive navigation. Of the two, only the Ask Maps feature is available on Google Maps. Announcing the new features, Google said that Ask Maps is a new conversational experience that answers complex, real-world questions a map could never answer before. Now you can ask for things like, “My phone is dying — where can I charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee?” or “Is there a public tennis court with lights on that I can play at tonight?, Google says.
The feature is currently available in the US and India. Ask Maps is supported in English with Hindi support coming soon. Here’s how to get started with Google Maps’ Ask Maps feature
First things first. Before you start using the feature, make sure your app is updated and the device is running the latest version of Google Maps. Here’s how to check app version:
On Android: Open the Google Play Store, search for Google Maps, and tap Update if one is available.
On iPhone (iOS): Open the App Store, go to your profile, scroll to find Google Maps, and update it.
How to use Ask Maps feature on Google Maps
Step 1: Once your Google Maps is updated, find the Ask Maps button. You will find it right beneath the search bar inside the app.
Step 2: Tap it to open the conversational interface, where you can type or speak your question directly.
Step 3: As your query. This is where Ask Maps is genuinely different from anything Google Maps has offered before.
You do not need to keep your question simple or break it into parts. Ask it the way you would ask a knowledgeable friend.
For example:
Instead of checking Google Maps for directions and then separately searching for a coffee shop near your route, just ask:
“I want to go to Noida Sector 18 from Mandi House. Between driving and taking the metro, what would be the best option at this time? Also, where can I pick up a coffee on the way?”
Use Ask Maps to plan events and outings
Ask Maps truly can also be used to find the right venue for a special occasion which usually means scrolling through endless listings across multiple apps, reading dozens of reviews, and still not being sure you have made the right call.
Example for planning a night out:
Say a friend is visiting from abroad and you want to plan a memorable evening. Ask:
“What are some places with good appetizers, serve alcoholic drinks, show live streaming of today’s football match, and have easy parking availability?”
Ask Maps will pull together real user reviews, web content, menu highlights, matchday atmosphere details, and parking information — all filtered to match your exact requirements. You can then ask follow up questions, like “Which of these is closest to a metro station?” or “Which has the best-rated food?”, and Ask Maps will refine its suggestions accordingly.
Use Ask Maps to plan trips
Another key capability of Google Maps’ Ask Maps feature is its ability to factor in the specific needs of the people you are planning for — not just your own general preferences.
Example for family visits:
If elderly relatives are coming to visit your city for the first time, ask: “My parents, who are senior citizens, are visiting Mumbai this weekend for the first time. What are some places or experiences I can take them to that they can manage easily?”
Ask Maps will prioritise venues and experiences that involve minimal walking, step-free access, or senior-priority facilities — the kind of context-aware thinking that a standard search bar simply cannot do.
