How to Use Waze Live Maps? Traffic & Road Conditions Updates

When you download the Waze app, the next step is how to use its Waze Live maps. There are multiple alternative apps available other than Waze such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, TomTom, etc. However, you need to understand the interface first if you are looking to use Waze maps.

Because these maps are useful to get you to a destination. If you have no mobile data or location services open then you cannot report traffic updates. To resolve these problems, we created this blog post. So let’s try to make the process of using Waze maps easy.      

What is Required to Use Waze Live Maps?                                   

You must have the following things to fulfill your requirements: 

1. Android & iOS device
2. Turn on Location Services 
3. Stable Cellular Data or Wi-Fi Connection 
4. For permanent use, create and log in your account

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Is It Necessary to Turn On Location Services for Waze? 

It is necessary to turn on your current location services, otherwise, you can never use Waze maps to reach your destination. Follow these steps if you want to turn on Waze map location on your device:

• Press enter the power button of your smartphone. 
• Browsing the apps and tap the settings.
• Scroll down and tap the ‘’Location Services’’ option. 

How to Use Waze Live Maps? A Step-By-Step Guide 

When you open the Waze app on your mobile for the first time, it will demand you to log in to your account. In this way, we have written a separate blog post already if you want the Waze app login. Follow these steps if you want to use the Waze Map efficiently:

• After opening the Waze app, you will view the main interface of Waze. However, you can easily zoom this interface in or out. Tap the ‘’Location’’ icon. 
• You can see nearby parking areas, restaurants, other Wazers, police checkpoints, and heavy traffic on the roads. If there is heavy traffic ahead of you on the road then you will witness a long red line on the map. 

• You can see the current speed of your vehicle and information about other Waze live maps drivers. To check information about your nearby Wazer, zoom in on your map and tap the ‘’white logo’’. The information will be highlighted in box form. 

• Zoom out your map and locate the checkpoints on the roads. You can see the police logo on the Waze map. 
• Choose one out of three transit options such as a private car, taxi, or motorcycle. 
• Tap the ‘’Voice’’ logo on the home screen and check other sound locations. In this way, you can set sound according to your own whether you turn on sound or keep it off. 

• Tap the ‘’My Waze’’ row on the bottom to check your profile. 
• Click on the ‘’Three Horizontal Lines’’ and go to the settings. You will see a lot of options, therefore, start to set up things according to your choice. 
• Tap the ‘’General’’ option and set up your favorite language. Here, you can measure distance in two units such as kilometers or miles. Additionally, you can mold other things easily. 

• If you want to change the car logo, go to the settings and tap the ‘’Map Display’’ option. Afterward, click on the ‘’Car Icon’’ and you will see two categorized icons including special and regular icons. 

• Tap the ‘’Voice and Sound’’. You can turn on Google voice assistant. By doing this, you can ensure the prediction of weather. 
• You can set up your input language as well as mold guidance sound by swiping left to right or right to left. Additionally, you can mute Waze during calls.  

• Go to the settings, tap the ‘’Navigation’’ button, and scroll down options. Here, you can mold things according to your own such as avoiding motorways, long routes, ferries, and difficult junctions. 
• If you want to connect the calendar to the Waze map then tap the ‘’Planned Drives’’ on settings. Here, you can mold calendar settings and get a notification ‘’Calendar connected’’ as a result. 

• To integrate a social media platform, go to the settings and tap the ‘’Audio Player’’. Swipe left to right to show this on the map. 

• When you tap the ‘’Install’’ option, it will directly take you to the Play Store to download the desired social media platform. By doing this, you will be able to integrate music into the Waze live maps. 

• You can check reports and alerts in a specific area your car passing through. Tap the ‘’Alerts and Reports’’ and then ‘’Area’’. Here, you can fix a particular area which can be from all directions or on your route. 
• Or else, you can mold speedometer settings to regulate speed or prevent speed traps. 

• When you search for office work, the map will show you a list of different business locations. Tap your desired location and it will calculate the actual distance between your current and final location. The Waze live maps will also show you a proper timetable in which you can complete your journey. 
• Tap the ‘’Go Now’’ option. Additionally, you can locate restaurants, parks, entertainment spots, etc. 
• During navigation, you can swipe up and check the traffic updates. If there is heavy traffic on your route then you can cancel the whole trip at any point. However, this massive traffic will be highlighted by a small red line ahead of the arrow. 
• When you insert your destination again you will view the shortest distance at that point. This is how you can start your journey again. 

Eventually, you will be able to use the Waze Live maps efficiently if you follow the abovementioned instructions.

Alternatives to Waze

• Google maps
• Apple Maps
• Tomtom Maps
• Sygic
• Radar Detector

Which One is a Better App, Waze vs Google Maps?

The Waze app is mostly being used in the United States, Western Europe, and Latin America. You can use this app for navigation if there are roads in your country. Similarly, it offers traffic updates such as road closures, road jams, speed traps, police sightings, and other features. Waze has over 140 million followers and 100 million downloads this time.  

On the contrary, Google Maps has more than 10 billion downloads this time. Google Maps uses low data (38MB) as compared to Waze (79MB). Consequently, Google Maps is a relatively more preferable global choice for navigation. We have written a separate blog post regarding Waze vs Google Maps. So, you can acquire information by getting there. 

People have different viewpoints about Google vs Waze Live maps. Some users claim that they face difficulty in sending emails to the Waze app. 

However, some came in favor of Waze, claiming there is nothing better than Waze regarding the latest traffic updates on roads. Eventually, people prefer to use Google Maps more than Waze for navigation. 

Which One is a Better Choice, Waze VS Apple Maps?

Waze collects traffic updates from third-party apps and the Waze community. Whereas, Apple Maps collects traffic updates from the propriety mapping technology of Apple. 

Waze demonstrates famous businesses and attractions. On the contrary, Apple Maps demonstrates Apple Maps favorites and Apple Maps collections. Both apps are free to download and use on both Android and iOS devices. 

Here is a complete Guide: Waze vs Apple Maps – Who is the Winner? Ultimate Guide

Can I Use Waze Maps Offline?            

You can use the Waze live maps offline to some extent. You can view the interface clearly when you open Waze on your smartphone. However, the problem comes up when you zoom in on the Waze maps and tap the ‘’Orange’’ logo. In this case, the map will demand cellular data or an internet connection to navigate smoothly. Without it, you cannot report traffic events to facilitate other Wazers on the roads.

How to Download Waze Maps?

You can download the Waze app on your Android and iOS devices from the Google Play Store and App Store. Additionally, Waze maps cannot be used for navigation if you are offline. We have written a separate blog post regarding how to download the Waze app. So, you can easily get help from there. 

What is Waze Google Maps Integration?

Google is looking to merge the Waze team into the Google development team to share end-user experience. Google officially owned Waze in 2013, however, both apps still work differently.

Moreover, there will be no longer a CEO of Waze. In the ongoing economic environment, Google is aiming to keep Waze under its influence. Consequently, you can witness several featuring integrations such as music. 

Which App is a Better Choice, Waze vs Google Maps Philippines?

Google Maps is being used worldwide due to its extensive features. However, people in the United States prefer to use Waze than Google Maps. In the Philippines, people like to use Google Maps more than any other navigation app to get to their destinations. 

Read Here: Waze vs Google Maps – Complete Guide 2024

Which One is a better choice, Waze VS Google Maps Australia?

You can easily use Waze and Google Maps in Australia. However, you cannot use the Waze app in New South Wales while driving a car. There are strict orders from the Home Ministry of the aforementioned Australian state. On violation, you can face a heavy penalty as a result. 

Frequently Asked Questions