Top 5 Ways to Fix Google Maps Keeps Rerouting on Android and iPhone

If you use Google Maps for navigation, you may have encountered a frustrating problem where the app keeps changing the route without any apparent reason. This issue typically occurs when Google Maps fails to accurately calculate your location. However, there could be other factors at play as well. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent Google Maps from rerouting you incorrectly on your Android and iPhone. In this article, we will discuss the top five methods to fix this issue and improve your navigation experience.

1. Recalibrate Compass

Google Maps uses the magnetometer on your phone to determine the direction in which you are traveling. However, if this sensor is inaccurate, it can cause Google Maps to reroute you unnecessarily. To fix this, you can recalibrate the compass on your phone by following these steps:

Android

1. Launch the Google Maps app on your phone and tap on the blue dot in the center.
2. Tap the “Calibrate” button and follow the on-screen instructions to make a figure eight motion with your phone.

You may need to perform this gesture a few times before the compass accuracy improves. After that, check to see if Google Maps is still rerouting you.

iPhone

If you are using an iPhone, you can enable automatic compass calibration by following these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and navigate to Privacy.
2. Go to Location Services and tap on System Services.
3. Lastly, toggle on the switch next to Compass Calibration.

2. Enable Google Location Accuracy (Android)

Enabling Google Location Accuracy allows your phone to use signals from nearby Wi-Fi networks and cell towers to improve location accuracy. This can help resolve frequent rerouting issues caused by inaccurate location data. To enable Google Location Accuracy on your Android phone, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Settings app on your phone and navigate to Location.
2. Go to Location services and tap on Google Location Accuracy.
3. Lastly, toggle on the switch next to Improve Location Accuracy.

3. Enable Precise Location for Google Maps

If the problem persists, you can enable the precise location option for Google Maps to see if that improves the situation. This feature is available on iPhones running iOS 14 or higher and Android phones running Android 12 or higher. Here's how you can access it:

Android

1. Long press on the Google Maps app icon and tap on the info icon from the menu that pops up.
2. Go to Permissions and tap on Location.
3. Enable the switch next to Use precise location.

iPhone

1. Open the Settings app and scroll down to tap on Google Maps.
2. Go to Location and toggle on the Precise Location option.

4. Clear Google Maps Cache (Android)

Like other Android apps, Google Maps saves temporary files (cache data) to improve its performance. However, if this data becomes inaccessible or corrupted, it can cause Google Maps to misbehave. In such cases, you can clear Google Maps' cache data to restore its functionality. Follow these steps:

1. Long press on the Google Maps app icon and open its app info.
2. Go to Storage and tap on the Clear cache option in the bottom right corner.

5. Switch to Offline Maps

Google Maps allows you to download maps for offline use. By downloading the map of a city, you can use Google Maps in offline mode and navigate without interruptions. This data does not involve real-time traffic information, so Google Maps will not look for alternative routes. To navigate using Google Maps offline, follow these steps:

1. In the Google Maps app, type in the name of your city or neighborhood in the search bar at the top. Then, swipe upwards on the card that appears.
2. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select Download offline map. Then, tap on Download to continue.
3. Once downloaded, you can search for any place within the city and navigate without an active internet connection.

Alternatively, if you don't want to use offline maps for navigation, you can also disable your internet connection after the navigation has started. This will prevent the app from receiving traffic updates and rerouting you.

Other Things to Try

If none of the previously mentioned solutions work, here are a few additional things you can try to avoid frequent rerouting in Google Maps:

• Ensure you are using the fastest internet connection available.
• Disable battery or data saver modes while using Google Maps.
• Make sure you are using the latest version of the app to avoid known bugs and glitches.

By following these steps, you can significantly improve your experience with Google Maps and prevent it from rerouting you unnecessarily. Remember to implement one method at a time and test if the issue has been resolved before moving on to the next one. Happy navigating!