Use Live View on Google Maps

Important: Live View is not intended for use in a moving vehicle. 

Switch to the 2D map view

You can alternate between Live View and the 2D map view when you move your phone from the vertical to the horizontal position. The tilt feature turns on by default, but you can follow these steps to modify the setting:

1. In the top right, tap your profile picture or initial   Settings  Navigation settings.
2. Under "Walking options," turn off Live view .
3. Turn off the tilt option. 

Quickly orient yourself to your surroundings and nearby landmarks in Live View. You can also find how far away certain landmarks are from you and how to get there. These landmarks can include iconic places, like the Empire State Building in New York City, or easily recognizable places, like local parks and tourist attractions.

There are two ways to orient yourself in Live View with the use of landmarks: 

1. Select a place on the map in either one of these ways:
   • Search for a place or tap it on the map.
   • Search for a category, like “restaurants” or “shopping malls,” then tap View map and choose a place.
2. Swipe down on the placesheet.
3. Tap Live .

Once you’re in Live View:

1. Follow the on-screen instructions to help Maps find your location.
   • Point your phone camera at buildings and signs across the street, instead of trees and people.
2. Once Maps knows where you are, you’ll get the distance to your destination. You can also enter Live View walking navigation.

Tip: Your place’s information card might let you know if your destination is on an upper floor in a building.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, while you're outside, open the Google Maps app .
2. Tap the blue dot   Calibrate .
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Tips:

• Point your phone camera at buildings and signs around you, instead of trees and people.
• Depending on Street View availability, Maps may or may not open the Live View Calibrator.
• Your position on Maps becomes more accurate as more data is gathered on your location.

Important: This feature is in beta and only available for Pixel phones.

When someone shares their location with you, you can use Live View to visualize their location in the real world. 

1. On your phone, open the Google Maps app .
2. Tap your profile picture or initial   Location sharing.
3. In the list of people who have shared their location with you, tap the person whose location you’d like to find.
4. Tap Live View .
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to help Maps find your location.
5. Point your phone camera at buildings and signs across the street, instead of trees and people.
6. Once Maps knows where you are, you can orient yourself in the direction of the person that shared their location with you. You’ll see a pin that represents their location as well as some additional information on the distance and directional clues. 
   • You can also enter Live View walking navigation.

1. Tap Feedback .
2. Answer the question about the type of issue encountered.
3. Enter your feedback.