close
close

5 Waze Settings I’d Recommend Changing to Make Your Journey Smoother

5 Waze Settings I’d Recommend Changing to Make Your Journey Smoother

You can connect your Google Calendar to the Waze app on your larger-screen Android phone to make it easier for you to get to your destination. This is one of several navigation app features you might not know about.

It is not enabled by default. Instead, you need to go to settings to make changes. The fact that it doesn’t come standard could indicate that Waze has some really cool features that you might have missed. To remedy the situation, here are the settings you should immediately change in Waze.

Connect your default calendar

Google Calendar logo on a white background with the Android Police logo in gray.Google Calendar logo on a white background with the Android Police logo in gray.

Google Calendar logo on a white background with the Android Police logo in gray.

If you want to optimize your travel experience, sync your calendar with Waze. This will allow the navigation app to pull location information from your calendar, eliminating the need to enter your destination address. This option also includes Waze Time to leave feature because it alerts you when you need to travel to your destination in order to get there within the time marked on your calendar.

There are a few things to keep in mind. If you’re using a third-party app, sync it with your device’s default calendar to make sure this feature works. If you rely on this feature, make sure your calendar information is accurate to avoid any unpleasant situations.

Nix difficult intersections

Waze works on the car's infotainment screenWaze works on the car's infotainment screen

Waze works on the car’s infotainment screen

For some, driving can be a stressful but unavoidable task. One possible reason for this is difficult turns at busy intersections. Imagine turning left on a road with constant traffic during rush hour. For some, this is what nightmares are made of.

Waze will save you from such situations by changing your settings to avoid difficult intersections. With this feature enabled, you can navigate smaller, less congested streets within neighborhoods. This tool can be useful to many, especially new drivers who are still trying to find their feet.

Enable location sharing

Waze download optionsWaze download options

Waze download options

Telling people where you are can be useful in certain situations. However, turning on location sharing on your mobile device allows others to track you 24/7 (especially if you forget to turn it off), which may not be suitable for everyone.

You may find yourself in a situation where you need to communicate your estimated time of arrival. If you don’t want your friends and family to track your every move to your destination, but still want them to know where you are, use Waze. Share your trip peculiarity. This feature allows users to follow you while you drive to your destination. Plus, you get a notification every time someone tracks your location.

Please indicate your car type

car selection with illustrations and blue OK button at the bottomcar selection with illustrations and blue OK button at the bottom

car selection with illustrations and blue OK button at the bottom

When adjusting your settings in Waze, you can choose the type of vehicle you’re currently in. Options include personal car, taxi, motorcycle or electric vehicle (EV). This will allow Waze to give you a route that will get you to your destination faster.

For example, if you’re driving an electric vehicle, you may have access to routes specific to those vehicles, such as some truck lanes. If you drive an electric vehicle, you can add vehicle-specific information, such as the outlet and associated network, to access other features of the electric vehicle. If you’re all about saving time on the road, you should change this setting.

Turn off visibility to alleviate privacy concerns.

Waze app icon on phone's main imageWaze app icon on phone's main image

Waze app icon on phone’s main image

One of the great features of Waze is its use of community information, which allows drivers to notify the app if they see hazards or police on the road. This makes it easier for other users to get to work. You must be online to complete these tasks. Your location will be indicated by an icon on the live map. The downside to this feature is that it allows other Waze users to see your icon on the road, which can lead to privacy issues.

However, you can change this by activating Stealth Mode. When this feature is enabled, your vehicle no longer appears on the Waze map, allowing you to use the navigation app while maintaining your privacy.

Waze isn’t the only navigation app in town

You can make other changes to Waze to customize the app to suit your needs. If these features don’t appeal to you, Waze isn’t the only navigation app on the market. From Apple Maps to Sygic to Google Maps, there are several options you can compare Waze to, ensuring you have all your navigation needs covered.