Why won't Google Maps save my map?

November 17, 2018 2:42 PM

I have made a map with four points on it, and I can't find how to save it. I can preview the directions, but when I click out of that, the map has disappeared. I make it all over again, and when I click out, it's gone. This is on an iPhone.

This has to be simpler than what I'm running into, so I have obviously missed something important. Somewhere, there must be a "save map" selection, but for the life of me I can't find it.

All I want to do is create a map with a starting point, a first destination, a second destination, and then a third and final destination. Think along the lines of "picking up two friends on the way to the restaurant." I want it to save the map, and then read the directions aloud to me tomorrow in the car.

All suggestions appreciated.

posted by tzikeh to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

The only way I can see to add multiple points to a map in Google Maps on iPhone is via the "add stop" feature in the directions interface. Is this how you're doing it, or is there a way to add multiple pins to the map?

If this is what you're doing, then what you can do is tap the three dots in the upper right corner and choose "Share directions". That will give you a link to recreate the same itinerary.
posted by wemayfreeze at 3:32 PM on November 17, 2018

That is to say, I don't believe there is a "save" function, but it will create a URL for you that you can use to recreate the directions with one click. Copy it to a note, or text it to yourself. When you want to get the directions up tomorrow, click the link. It opens in Safari for me, but if I tap the app banner at the top of the screen the directions then open in the app.
posted by wemayfreeze at 3:39 PM on November 17, 2018

Response by poster: The only way I can see to add multiple points to a map in Google Maps on iPhone is via the "add stop" feature in the directions interface. Is this how you're doing it

It is.

it will create a URL for you that you can use to recreate the directions with one click

Oh, that's excellent, thanks, but when I click the link, while it brings up the map with all four locations, I only get the "steps" and "preview" options down under the map. There's no "start," or any way to hear the directions read aloud to me as I proceed. Am I looking in the wrong place? When I plot a single destination on a map, it immediately offers me the option to start the trip.
posted by tzikeh at 3:50 PM on November 17, 2018

Interesting. I see that too, but only if my starting point on my directions is not my current location. Which I think makes sense: how is it going to live navigate me from A to B if I'm starting at point F? So I imagine if tomorrow you open that link at your starting destination it will pop up with the "Start" link and you will be on your way. This is how it works when I create a map with my current location as my starting location.
posted by wemayfreeze at 3:58 PM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]

IIRC you can't combine multi-stop directions with the "arrive by" or "depart at" option. Are you doing that?
posted by COD at 5:15 AM on November 18, 2018