Phone and Tablet Tips
Brilliant things to do on your device
ANDROID & iOS
Customise your vehicle icon in Google Maps
Since 2020, Google Maps has let you change the icon that represents your vehicle on the map when you’re viewing driving directions. Rather than stick with the default ‘blue arrow in white circle’, you could choose between a red sedan, yellow SUV or green pick-up truck.
Google has now updated the feature to let you customise the appearance of the vehicle icon with additional colours and less generic designs. This allows you to make it better match your actual car or one you’d like to be driving if you could afford it – such as a black Porsche.
To change your vehicle icon, tap the blue Directions button in Google Maps, search for a destination and select driving directions. In the Drive panel that opens, tap the ‘Trip options’ icon in the top-right corner and choose ‘Vehicle icon while navigating’ ( 1 in our screenshot right).
Alternatively, press Start to view your driving route and tap the vehicle icon on the map.
When the ‘Choose vehicle icon’ panel opens, select your preferred colour and model. The new options include a sports car, hatchback and an offroad vehicle, with eight new colours to choose from, including sky blue 2 , aqua green and ash grey. Tap ‘Done’ to save your preference and show your updated vehicle on the map.