4 new Waze features I can’t wait to try out on my next road trip ‣ Diverse Daily

Google Maps and Waze are arguably the two most popular navigation apps on the planet, and this week both are getting major updates. Google recently began rolling out its new Immersive Navigation mode to Google Maps on Android Auto, completely transforming the urban driving experience with a 3D view. Now it’s Waze’s turn for an upgrade.

Google has just released a major Waze update that introduces several new features and addresses some of the app’s biggest long-standing criticisms. Highlights include a dedicated mode for motorcyclists, less chatty navigation prompts, and smarter route suggestions that learn from your travel habits. Whether you drive with Waze every day or are thinking about switching from another app, like Google Maps or Apple Maps, here’s everything its latest update has in store that might make your next road trip easier.

Less Chatty mode

Waze is now giving you the option to make it less annoying

The first feature from this update that I want to highlight, and one I’ll be enabling immediately, is Waze’s new Less Chatty mode. As the name suggests, it cuts down on the number of voice prompts you hear and keeps the remaining ones shorter, resulting in fewer interruptions while you’re driving.

That means if you’re listening to music or a podcast, Waze won’t constantly cut in with directions. You can enable Less Chatty mode by tapping the volume icon on the map and selecting Less Chatty. Waze also offers other voice guidance options, including Smart Mute and Alerts Only, if you want even fewer spoken directions. Personally, I think Less Chatty mode strikes the right balance. It should make voice prompts less annoying while still providing the directions you need to avoid missing a turn or exit.

Google says Less Chatty Mode is now rolling out globally to Android and iOS Waze users.

Motorcycle Mode

Optimized routes for motorcyclists

The next big addition is Motorcycle Mode, which gives riders routes tailored specifically for motorcycles. The feature uses AI to recommend roads that are easier and safer to ride while also identifying potential hazards, including potholes, speed bumps, raised crosswalks, shoulder endings, and narrow bridges.

It’s not powered by AI alone, though. Motorcycle Mode also relies on Waze’s real-time traffic data, and Google says a dedicated team of motorcycle map editors helps keep the map up to date by adding new hazards and road conditions as they appear.

The biggest catch is that Motorcycle Mode isn’t available in the US yet. It’s currently rolling out to Android and iOS users in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines, with Google saying that “more countries” are on the way. Hopefully, the US will be added before the summer riding season ends.

Conversational Reporting is improving

You can now suggest map updates with your voice

Waze introduced Conversational Reporting in 2024, allowing users to report road incidents such as traffic slowdowns, potholes, and construction simply by speaking. With this latest update, the feature is expanding beyond incident reports to let you suggest map updates, such as road closures or incorrect addresses.

For example, if you come across a road that’s closed but isn’t marked in Waze, you can tap the microphone button and say, “The road is closed here.” Waze will then forward that report to local map editors, who will verify the information and update the map for everyone.

Google says the expanded Conversational Reporting feature is rolling out now to Waze users on both Android and iOS.

Waze is becoming more personalized

A still photo of the Waze maps display in Android Auto.

Last but not least, Waze is also making its navigation experience feel more personalized with its latest update.

The update introduces Personalized Navigation, a new feature that learns from your previous trips and suggests routes based on your driving habits. For example, if you consistently choose highways over local roads, Waze will take that into account and recommend similar routes in the future. Though, understandably, if you’d rather Waze not tailor your routes based on your driving history, you can easily turn Personalized Navigation off in the app’s settings.

Personalized Navigation is rolling out now globally to Waze users on both iOS and Android.

Waze has more on the way

Additionally, Waze will soon introduce a new Find your destination feature that lets you search for places using natural, conversational voice commands.

For example, if you’re on a road trip and need a coffee shop or gas station but don’t know where to find one, you can tap the Search voice icon and simply ask for what you need. Waze will then use its Gemini-powered capabilities to find a suitable destination along your route.

However, this feature isn’t rolling out to everyone just yet. Google says it’s currently available to members of the Waze beta community program, with a wider release expected later.