SatNav on phone

On my phone Luckygirl when I press start the voice gives instructions and I make sure the volume is turned right up.

Do you know what app you have downloaded for a satnav? Or was it already in the phone? My phone is very new, but I cannot find anything relevant on it.

Luckygirl I use Google maps, put in the destination details, hit 'Directions', hit 'Start', make sure the volume on the phone is turned right up. I never even look at it. Today my phone fell into the passenger footwell and it just carried on directing me.

Luckygirl you have to download google maps put your destination in then press start it will then start to give directions. That’s how it works on mine.

Ah, thank you - it sounds as though you are saying that google maps will give spoken directions. Have I got that right?

On Google maps there is an icon of a microphone, touch to unmute/mute it.
Also make sure it is on the right setting, - drive, public transport or walking. I got very confused in Bath trying to find a restaurant until I realized I had it on 'drive' and not 'walking'

Yes Google maps speaks!

I just search and that brings up the map and its straightforward from there.

Does anyone use a magnetic holder for their phone in the car? They have one in Halfords I’m thinking of trying to use it as satnav.

I use google maps on my phone as satnav and find it very good. I prefer not too look at it and leave it out of sight as I find it too distracting and unsafe to glance even momentarily at it.
An unexpected bonus is that because my phone connects with the car’s Bluetooth my google maps directions automatically play through the car speakers. It’s great in unfamiliar places and it’s free.

Yes tanith I used one of those phone holders on the dash board and it worked fine. But I quickly decided it was just too much of a distraction for me while driving. I feel safer just listening with the phone out of sight. I’ve had it that way for a few years.

Thankyou

I have a holder for my phone but I no longer use it. As others have said, verbal directions from the phone suffice. Just made me think - it's like having a (good) backseat driver telling you where to go!

I downloaded google maps onto the phone and I am now being inundated with ads! I tried putting in my location and it took me to Germany!

I think I will tinker tomorrow when I am not so sleepy.

Thanks Grannynannywanny for the Bluetooth tip. I’m going to have a look at that. I’ve googled how to do it with my make of car.

Hope it works for you Beechnut. I wasn’t expecting it to play through the car speakers. Once you pair your phone with the car’s Bluetooth you don’t need to do anything else. They will connect each time you get in car. Even if the radio is on google maps will cut in and momentarily silence it to say the directions just like a “proper” satnav system.

??*Grannynannywanny*. I feel I might be entering a modern world ??

I’ve surprised myself recently with a few things I’ve learned since lockdown.

Beechnut my family will think it’s hilarious when I tell them I’ve shared my almost non existent technology skills on here!

Sat-Nav, that will be Satan's Navelwort? I hate the wretched things. When my wife plugs her sat-nav in I always end up arguing with it.

Grannynannywanny ?? tell them how much I appreciated your help.

DH always wants to use the Satnav he has-Tomtom-he goes out and sits in the care while it loads.
When I’m going out I just click on google maps, have a quick glance at route u’d it’s somewhere I vaguely know and off I go.
I have bought a holder for my phone but don’t use it all the time.
Although, funnily enough, yesterday it was silent! Perhaps it’s sulking-will have a fiddle with it today

Google maps on your phone works when travelling abroad, too. A couple of years ago, I was driving back to Ouistreham from DH's home when the gilets jaunes were setting up blockades. I had nearly reached Caen when I was confronted by a road closure with gendarmes directing the traffic off the route nationale. All went well as I followed the diversion signs (and the other vehicles!) until the signs suddenly ended! Aargh!

I typed in Ouistreham ferry and it directed me perfectly, even though I had to double back to avoid yet another blockade! It even recognised by name the tiny backstreets in a town through which I drove. Luckily, Brittany Ferries had warned me to allow more time in anticipation of delays en route. I was very relieved when I found myself back on roads I recognised!

Successful fiddling! Voice back on. We’ve used ours all over the place too-it’s v impressive!

Really appreciate googlemaps.
I have used a satnav since domestic ones first came out. But resented having to pay to load on to them map updates. Indeed, the last TomTom I purchased was just a few months before they started to provide free updates, but it still wanted to charge me for that one. So, it was always out of date!!

Was final convert a couple of years ago, when one of my daughters moved to a new build. No way would my TomTom find that (it did not exist), but my phone googlemaps did.

I have a special holder (long arm attached to windowscreen), and this opens up for phone to go in, and opens to let me remove it, AND charges my phone whilst in there.
Do remember to keep volume on phone turned up to it fullest - and also remember to touch FINISH at end of journey otherwise phone keeps trying to give you information even after you have gone indoors.