You know about GPS coordinates, right? But what is the best way to share those coordinates with someone else? And, how do you write it down?
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Enter Plus Codes
Plus Codes are Google’s shorthand for GPS coordinates. If you have the Plus Code for a place, just enter it into the Google Maps search bar and it will show you the exact location. This is being used all over the world for people who have no regular address. Now they can get deliveries, emergency services and sign up for bank accounts. For us, it’s a way to give directions to where our RV is parked.
How to find your Plus Code
- Using Google Maps on an Android: Just tap the blue dot that represents your location. It should pop up a blue screen with several options. Your Plus Code is on the second line.
- Using Google Maps on iPhone: You need to touch and hold on the blue dot to “drop a pin.” Then you can swipe up to reveal the info panel which will include the Plus Code.
- Note: The city and state are necessary – they are part of the full Plus Code address.
Technology for Travelers – a YouTube show
On July 11, we live-streamed Episode 216 of “What Does This Button Do?” from our RV in Wyoming. Watch the first four minutes to see the quick tip about using Plus Codes. Then we go on to recap the four seminars we presented at the RV rally: Smartphone Photography; Remembering Travels with a Blog; Organizing Photos; and Maps and Apps for RV Trip Planning. Lots of good stuff!
Related:
How to make Google Maps more accurate
Chris Guld is President and Teacher-in-Chief at GeeksOnTour.com. She and her husband, Jim, produce a free weekly YouTube show called What Does This Button Do? They have been Fulltime RVers, popular seminar presenters at RV Rallies, and regular contributors to RVTravel.com, for many years.
##RVT1011
I have been using the app “What3Words” for locating without using addresses. Works around the world to within 10′
This is NOT working on my phone. I have an older model (Samsung Galaxy S7). Perhaps that is why. OR, do I have to download the app? If so, where do I get the app?
The only app you need is Google Maps. Which part is not working? Finding your own Plus code, or searching for another?
I was looking for my own Plus code. The other day when I tried this I had the blue dot. But when I held it down, it did not give me the Plus code. It showed the GPS coordinates in the “search bar” above. Today when I try it, the screen is not showing me a blue dot. Perhaps that is because I am at my house and it is showing me a yellow symbol with a star in it. If I touch and hold that yelllow symbol, it also shows me a red symbol and then shows me the GPS coordinates in the search bar. However, I did learn that if I arrow down to the bottom of that screen I get to an area that shows a blue symbol that has 3 horizontal dots and 3 vertical dots. The Plus Code is listed after this symbol. And if you touch the Plus code it will copy it to the clipboard, thus allowing you to add it to a text message to your roadside assistance group. So I do believe now that I have access to the Plus code. Thanks for all your helpful tips and tricks.
Wow. So we dumb ourselves down because lat-long is ‘too hard’, we give Google yet another way to track us, and we become dependent on Google for yet another aspect of life. I’ll pass.
Or, just put your finger on a spot on the Google Map on your Android phone and it’ll place a marker on the map and the Lat and Long coordinates will be shown at the top of the screen.
I suppose the “Plus Code” is a little shorter to type, but not much, and it’s much less comprehensible.