Another year is about to come to an end, and I still haven’t prepared a list of apps that I rely on the most. But if I ever make one, Google Maps will certainly be there, perhaps in the top five.
I recently discovered its hidden zoom capability, and it changed how I use Google Maps. The feature was hiding in plain sight in Google Maps, and I found it years after using the app.
I’m glad I found it because the feature has now become an integral part of my daily navigation routine. It also made me realize that I was using Google Maps wrong.
Here is why I use it every day.
I stopped using Google Maps and this Android app made me love driving again
Sometimes, being connected to the internet makes driving worse
Google Maps features a one-finger zoom that I wasn’t aware of
I discovered Google Maps’ one-finger zoom by accident, and it’s been a game-changer so far.
It was only after finding the hidden one-finger gesture that I realized how inconvenient it was to zoom in or out using pinch gestures.
The pinch gestures were risky to use, especially when driving. I also remember dropping my then-favorite 6.67-inch OnePlus 7 Pro while zooming in with one hand on Google Maps.
It was more prone to slipping out of hand during one-handed usage because of its curved display and large size.
That’s how I broke the display on my OnePlus 7 Pro, and it wasn’t cheap to get it repaired, as I didn’t have insurance.
I have been doubly careful since then and stopped using pinch gestures while holding my phone with one hand.
Instead, I stopped walking and used both hands: one for holding it properly and the other for pinching to zoom in or out.
All of that is now a thing of the past, thanks to the one-finger zoom capability in the Google Maps app.
Instead of using the thumb and forefinger to pinch in and out, I double-tap the screen, keep my thumb on the second tap, then slide up to zoom out and slide down to zoom in.
What I also love about the one-finger zoom is that it isn’t limited to Android.
While there are at least a couple of caveats to using Google’s navigation app on an iPhone, I use Google Maps’ zooming on my iPhone 16e the same way as I do on my Android handset.
Why do I use Google Maps’ one-finger zoom every day?
I don’t mean to say I use the feature every day in a literal sense, because I don’t go out every day. But I use one-finger zoom every time I need to, ever since I discovered it.
I use Google Maps’ one-finger zoom not because it looks cool, but because it comes in handy in situations where I need to spot lanes while I’m on the move.
It wasn’t easy to get used to it, because honestly, I don’t think it’s as simple and as easy to use as the pinch gestures when you aren’t moving or aren’t in a crowded place.
While there are situations where the pinch gestures are easier to use, I’m not going back to them again because of the poor risk-reward ratio.
The one-finger zoom will also come in handy when I use navigation on a larger “Pro” phone.
So, for me, it’s a matter of developing a solid muscle memory to prepare for what comes next, because I’m planning to buy a “Pro” flagship next year. Hopefully, the AI boom won’t make them too pricey to buy.
Google Maps can make your life easier, but only if you know how to use it
Google Maps just works, but you won’t be able to use it to its full potential if you don’t know how to use it.
The ability to zoom in or out with one finger is just one example. It also packs many other useful features that can make your life easier.
However, I don’t need all of them because exploring new places isn’t my daily routine, which is the case for most people everywhere.
Additionally, I follow best practices for getting the most out of Google Maps. Those can change with time, based on what changes Google introduces to the app.
I paid a heavy price for a long time for not being in the loop of what new features Google is adding to Google Maps. So, I dropped my old habits to make Google Maps navigation faster.
But of all the changes to my use cases in recent times, the one-finger zoom is the one that impacted me the most. I’m glad it didn’t take long to become muscle memory. I use my right thumb to zoom in or out.
