How to Switch from Uber Navigation to Waze, Google Maps, or Another App

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A step-by-step guide to setting up 3rd-party navigation in Uber Driver

Co-authored by Christopher Batchelor and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: August 12, 2025 Fact Checked

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Changing Your Navigation App

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Using Third-Party Navigation

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Uber Driver Navigation Features

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Tips

If you don't like Uber's navigation and would prefer to use a third-party app instead, Uber gives you that choice! Uber does ask that you use their street-level or map-level navigation when you have a rider in the car, but you still have the option to change it—if that’s something you want to do. In this complete guide, we’ll explain how to change your navigation app in Uber Driver (whether you wish to use Waze, Apple Maps, or some other navigation tool).

Change Uber Driver App Navigation: Quick Steps

Install the new navigation app.
Open the Uber Driver app.
Tap your picture and select Account.
Select App Settings and tap Navigation.
Select the navigation app you want to use.
Confirm your change when prompted by Uber Driver.

Section 1 of 3:

Changing Your Navigation App in Uber Driver

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1
Install your preferred third-party navigation app. Uber allows you to use other third-party apps when driving. If you don’t want to have to keep switching, Uber also has in-app navigation with one tap of the same button. Popular choices of third-party apps include Waze and Google Maps, but if there’s another app you want to use, download that instead.
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Open your Uber Driver app. The icon is maroon with a white hexagon icon on it, with a square design cut out in the middle.

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Open your Settings menu. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the app screen and then select "Account". After that, tap "App Settings" to get to your Settings menu.^{[1]
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Tap the "Navigation" choice from your list of Settings. You’ll find this at the top of the App Settings menu.^{[2]
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Select your choice of app for street-level navigation. Uber allows its Driver and Delivery Partners to use third-party maps for street-level navigation. So, just pick the app you installed earlier to set it as your default.^{[3]
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Confirm your change. Uber Driver will open a pop-up that asks, “Are you sure?”, so be sure to confirm your choice for the change to be made official. Just remember that if you run third-party apps, it’ll mean a constant switch between apps. Your current app’s use will be indicated by the blue button with white lettering, while the app you’re switching to will be indicated by the white button with blue lettering.^{[4]
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- If, at any point, you had previously changed your setting to a third-party app and would now like to revert to Uber navigation, you won't need to complete this step.
- Instead, just tap the Uber Navigation choice.

Section 2 of 3:

Using Third-Party Navigation as an Uber Driver

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Tap the Navigate button during trips to use your preferred app. When you accept a ride as an Uber driver and want to use your third-party navigation app (like Waze or Google Maps), just select the Navigate button during a trip. You’ll then move from the Driver app to the third-party app you previously chose.^{[5]
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- Don’t worry—the Driver app will keep recording trip details, so your fare will still be accurate at the end of the ride.
To switch back to the Uber Driver app during a trip, simply select the blue banner located at the top of your screen. You’ll go back from the navigation app to Uber Driver!

Section 3 of 3:

Uber Driver Navigation Features

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Uber Driver comes with automatic navigation. Like many navigation apps, it’ll give you turn-by-turn directions from the beginning to the end of your trip. It also gives you a route overview of any upcoming trip. If needed, you can disable automatic navigation with the following steps:
- Tap the menu (three horizontal lines) on the top-left side of the screen.
- Select Account → App settings
- Tap Navigation
- Tap Auto-Navigate
- Finally, turn the Automatic navigation switch off.
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Uber Driver also features a night mode. Night mode consists of a darker app display (so you can drive more comfortably at night). If you need to adjust your Driver app’s night mode settings, follow these steps:
- Tap the menu (three horizontal lines) on the top-left side of the screen.
- Select Account → App settings
- Tap Navigation
- Tap Night Mode
- Select your preferred setting: Always off, Always on, or Automatic
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The Uber Driver app has lane guidance and traffic updates. It’ll tell you if traffic conditions change, and signal moderate traffic with yellow or heavy traffic with red. It’ll also tell you which lane you need to be in as you approach a turn.
- Keep in mind that other third-party apps, such as Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps, also offer similar features and traffic updates!

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Tips

Try to understand how your navigation app works before switching from one app to another inside your settings.

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Uber encourages its drivers to use its navigation. If you receive a back-to-back ride request while using a third-party app, you might miss it.

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Sometimes the Navigate button will display "Navigate", but other times, the button will just be the location button without the word "Navigate". They both lead to the same place: your street-level navigation choice.

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