For years, Google Maps has been the default navigation app for most of us, including me. For my commute, I would connect to Android Auto, fire up Google Maps, feed in the location, and off I went. I trusted it the way someone trusts a friend who never admits they are wrong. I used to think the faster route suggestion from Google Maps actually saved time, but in my case, it just didn’t. While sometimes I was able to ditch a few signals, most of the time, Google Maps led me into the worst traffic.
Yes, Google Maps has added a ton of features recently, but it isn’t the best navigation app out there. After some research and a tip from my driver in Kuala Lumpur, I tried Waze and never looked back.
I had no idea how much Google Maps was tracking me until I found these settings
Create a boundary and protect your data
Why should you care about Waze?
In short, it is not just another map app
Waze is a free, community-powered navigation app that was acquired by Google back in 2013. If you have used the Waze app before, you would realize that Google Maps has been borrowing some of Waze’s features over time. For instance, real-time information and customization options on Google Maps were pulled from Waze.
The thing about Waze is that it doesn’t pull info from static map data the way a traditional GPS operates. Instead, it gets real-time information from actual drivers on the road, right at the time you are also driving.
When someone hits a pothole, spots a police officer, or sees an accident, they report it instantly. That report shows up on every nearby Waze user’s screen within seconds. This helps them either reroute or take necessary precautions for the upcoming incident.
Since Google Maps also shows some Waze-sourced reports inside the app, Waze still holds a massive community advantage, especially in cities. More driver reporting means more data, and more data means faster and more reliable navigation.
Google Maps on Android Auto was just not cutting it
Traffic predictions were always a step behind
In my experience, Google Maps would often reroute when I was already sitting in congestion or in the lane of traffic. Don’t get me wrong. Google Maps isn’t bad at traffic; it’s just that it is often working with data that is a few minutes behind.
Many times I have come across a red line on my way to my destination, only to find the way was clear and no traffic was there. When you are driving, a few minutes is the difference between breezing through an intersection and sitting through a long queue of traffic.
When you are behind the wheel, you only have half a second or two to glance at your dashboard. If you need to look twice to figure out what’s happening, that’s already a problem. After trying Waze, Google Maps felt like it was designed for someone at a desk, zoomed out with a coffee in hand.
Upcoming turns demand your attention, and the way Google Maps just doesn’t tell you whether to take the service road or the flyover adds to the frustration. With Google Maps, you have to search for what matters rather than having things brought to you.
I tried the Waze alternative no one talks about — and it’s great, up to a point
Can this lesser-known alternative dethrone the reigning champions of navigation?
Waze on Android Auto is on a different level
It feels like it is built for driving and drivers
When you open the Waze app on Android Auto, the first thing you will notice is that everything is large, bold, and impossible to miss. When you are about to encounter a turn, it is front and center. The next instruction is represented in a way that a glance is enough to process it and make a move behind the wheel.
Next, and most importantly, what makes Waze edge out Google Maps on Android Auto is its community alert feature. The reports from drivers aren’t just a gimmick; they are actually useful information that can save you time and stress. You get alerts for accidents before you reach that point, police checkpoints along your route, so you are extra careful, and road hazards like potholes and closures, so that you can take an alternative route.
Waze integrates Spotify and YouTube Music inside Android Auto. Your music controls, such as pause, skip, and switch tracks, sit right on the navigation screen. You never have to leave the map to manage what is playing. With this, Waze gives you fewer reasons to look away from the road, meaning fewer distractions.
It also picks up calendar events. If your calendar event has a location, Waze picks it up and lists it under “Planned Drives.” One tap and navigation starts.
Setting up Waze is a breeze
You have to manually make it your default, though
There is no rocket science involved in setting up Waze on Android Auto. Download the Waze app from the Google Play Store, open the app, sign in or create an account, and that’s about it. Connect your phone to Android Auto, wirelessly or via a USB cable, let Android Auto launch, and select Waze from your car’s display.
Do note that when you use voice commands in your car, Android Auto defaults to Google Maps for navigation. Even if you are mid-route on Waze, saying a command like “find a gas station” can still force-launch Google Maps. This is a known frustration for anyone who has made the switch.
To fix this, on your smartphone, head over to Settings -> Connected devices -> Android Auto -> Customize Launcher and drag Waze above Google Maps in the list. Since you cannot remove Google Maps from the launcher, putting Waze above Google Maps may fix this problem.
If the problem still exists, according to a solution in Google support forums, you have to open the Waze app and use it once. Android Auto will remember this and open it automatically the next time you connect.
- OS
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Android, iOS
- Price model
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Free
Waze is a robust, feature-rich, community-driven navigation app that shows live traffic, EV charging stations, and police stops.
Try for yourself and see the difference
Of course, there are a few hiccups involved with Waze. Since Waze runs on real-time data, it needs a stable internet connection. It shouldn’t be an issue in cities, but in areas with patchy coverage, it can be a problem. In this case, Google Maps, with its offline map feature, can be a safer bet.
Waze may sometimes take a bit of time to load, which is what I have experienced throughout my usage. However, despite these minor shortcomings, Waze deserves a real test. You cannot tell the difference with just a five-minute test. It requires a full week of commuting to know how good Waze is, and pairing it with the best Android Auto features can elevate your entire driving experience.
