How to Set Waze as the Default Maps and Navigation App on Android

When was the last time you were behind the wheel and had to stop and spread out the map to see where your next turn is? Who could remember? Everyone relies on a navigation app these days, regardless if they’re walking, biking, or driving.

When it comes to driving, though, Waze has slowly surpassed Google Maps in terms of accuracy and overall user interface quality. It’s also a Google product, but its features are designed to enable a smooth, seamless drive. If you want to set Waze as your default navigation map, you can do that.

Make Waze Your No.1 Navigation App

Most Android phones come with pre-installed Google Maps. You can always disable the app completely if you want. If you’re not looking to retire it completely, but just to put Waze front and center as your default app, this is what you need to do:

1. Open Settings on your phone.
2. Select “Apps & notifications,” and then “Default apps.”
3. Tap on the one that is currently default (e.g., Google Maps).
4. Select Waze as your default.

These steps apply for Android version 9 and up. If you have Android version 7.0+, these are the steps to follow:

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.
2. Open the “Apps & notifications” menu.
3. Select “See all X apps.”
4. Scroll down till you find Waze.
5. Select Waze and then tap “Open by default.”
6. Select “Clear defaults” if any exist. Then continue to select “Open supported links” and select “Open in this app” from the menu.

That’s it, now Waze is the default maps or navigation app on your Android phone.

What Is Waze and How Does It Work?

One of the most interesting things about Waze is that you can impact it. All you need to do is drive around and have your Waze app open while you do. This way, you share real-time info regarding traffic conditions and road structure. And all this information makes a more accurate and reliable database for all Waze users. And real-time accuracy is what anyone who uses a navigation app needs the most.

You can also use Waze to report about the traffic actively and even mention if there was an accident on the road. You can make a note of police traps, blocked roads, and input anything regarding weather conditions. Waze’s software accumulates this information and quickly analyzes it so that it can provide the most optimal routes for drivers.

You Can Help Improve Waze

If you like how Waze works enough to make it your default navigation map, then you probably are interested in making Waze work best for you. As a Waze user, you’re encouraged to do that.

One of the easiest ways to help improve Waze is to drive around with the Waze app active on your phone. You don’t even have to use it actively, it’s enough to keep it open. You don’t have to do anything,

Everything Waze learns will lead to calculating average speeds, improving road layouts, and learn about turn directions. You might feel inclined to make specific trips using Waze if you’re eager to improve it, but that is counterintuitive. Waze relies heavily on you to keep your routes and patterns of movement.

Who Is Waze for?

Not all navigation maps are created equal. Some of them go above and beyond to make pedestrians, commuters, and cyclists a part of traffic because they are, of course. But driving a vehicle yourself means you have to know your next turn as soon as possible. So, for drivers, Waze is the go-to navigation app. The creators like to point out that drivers power Waze.

Drivers can connect and work together to make sure their driving experience is as good as it can be. Many Waze users like the fact that it is a community-based app. It’s like a social navigation tool for drivers. And this is one of the reasons Waze currently doesn’t support navigating lanes for public transportation and trucks.

You Make Waze Better

People can be, rightfully, squeamish about sharing their data and location online. But everyone inevitably does it, one way or another. Privacy is increasingly turning into a myth. But with Waze, sharing your driving routes leads to better driving experience and, ultimately, less time in traffic.

If Waze is your preferred navigation app, now you know how to make it the default navigation app on your Android phone. It takes you just a few taps, and you’re set. Then you can continue to improve it if you want.

What do you think about Waze? Have you ever used it? Let us know in the comment section below.