Google Maps: Zoom in and out with one hand – this is how it works

Useful everyday tip: There is a trick you can use to zoom in Google Maps with one hand. Hardly anyone knows, but is useful. We'll show you how it's done.

Almost everyone has experienced a situation like this: In one hand you are holding either a six-carrier cold barley bowl, a heavy shopping bag or a crying child - in the other hand you are trying desperately to find your way with your smartphone. This is difficult when you only have one hand free. Zooming is done primarily with a pinch-to-zoom gesture with thumb and forefinger. And balancing after holding the smartphone is almost impossible.

This is how you zoom in Google Maps with one hand

However, there is another way to zoom with one hand. Here you can see the principle via GIF animation – mobile phones and apps are very old, but today's versions of Google Maps work the same way:

In writing, how to do it: To zoom in Google Maps with one hand, you first have to double-tap on the map , but keep your finger pressed on the screen with the second tap . Then drag your finger up or down . As long as you keep your finger pressed on the screen, the map will zoom in or out. The gesture can of course be repeated as often as you like. Try it out and the gesture will quickly get into your muscle memory.

By the way, the gesture works not only on Android, but also in the iOS version of Google Maps. A similar zoom option also exists in Chrome for Android and other browsers. You can find this trick and other tips for Google Maps in our video, embedded here, or directly on YouTube: