How to Send Google Maps Directions to Android from Mac or PC

Earlier this week Google announced the option to easily send Google Maps directions or navigation instructions right to an iPhone from a Google Search, making getting directions a breeze so users don’t have to reply on Apple Maps. However, the same feature has been available on Android for a while, and here’s how to share Google Maps directions to Android.

This feature for the iPhone was big news this week and made a lot of noise, but it’s actually been available on Android for a long, long time. To make things better, back in April Google announced an even easier way to search for and share directions right to an Android device. The same system which Google opened up for iOS devices this week.

Read: How to Save Google Maps for Offline Use

The process is pretty simple for almost all Android users, as most already have the Google Search app installed on their phone. As long as it’s on the latest version and you haven’t messed with settings, this feature should work on the first try. Read on for the quick instructions.

Simply put all you’ll be doing is typing a few things into Google Search, hitting enter, and sending the directions to your Android device. It will instantly open Google Maps and give you directions, navigation instructions and more.

As long as an Android user has an active Google account and the device is linked, this will work like a charm. Users may have to hit the help guide for instructions, but I tried with three different Android devices and they all worked perfect.

Instructions

Head to Google Search or Google.com on any desktop computer or Mac and simply type in “send directions” and hit enter or click search. Google search knows what you’re trying to do, and instantly finds your Android device location and lets you input a destination. Select which device you want to send directions to in the top right (mine says Nexus 6), then on the bottom left click “send directions to my phone” and that’s it.

What you see above is how it will appear on the computer. Users almost instantly get a notification on any Android smartphone or tablet and it will open to Google Maps with the destination shown, and a one-tap button to instantly get navigation instructions. Google Search will then tell you directions have been sent and they’ll be on your phone shortly.

It’s that easy. If you’re getting ready to go on a trip just type this into Google, send them to your phone, and once a user gets in the car everything is all ready to go, and navigation directions are ready and waiting.

Here’s the instant notification right on my Android smartphone with Maps open, directions, and navigation one tap away. Pretty convenient, right?

If an Android smartphone or tablet isn’t connected to a Google account you may have to download the Google Search app, and enable location by linking your phone to Google. Once that’s done try the steps above again, and directions should instantly be sent right from any computer right to a smartphone or tablet.

It’s worth noting that Google didn’t stop just with directions, you can even head to Google.com and type “Send a note” or “Set an Alarm” to instantly send notes or reminders, or manually set an alarm on your smartphone all remotely from a computer. The alarm feature is actually pretty neat, but all of these are very handy when you’re in a rush but already sitting at a computer. Give them all a try, and drop a comment below with any other tips.