The story of how I walked in the wrong direction despite looking at Google Maps

I got off the subway at a place I was visiting for the first time.

I had the map open. I had already set my destination.

I exited the station and started walking. After about two or three minutes, I felt like something was off.

It was the opposite direction.

I turned back and started walking again.

My daughter said to me,

"Mom, you're holding the map in the wrong orientation."

Huh?

When I looked closely, there was a blue fan-shaped beam on top of the blue dot that shows my location.

This was indicating which way I was currently facing.

I had been using it all this time, but I had never paid any attention to it.

How to use the blue fan-shaped beam

When you come up to the surface, look at the blue dot on Google Maps.

The direction of the fan-shaped beam on the dot is the direction you are currently facing.

If the fan is pointing toward the top of the map, you are facing north. If the fan is pointing to the right, you are facing east.

Just compare this with the map to confirm the direction you should be heading.

If you move the map while walking, the fan-shaped beam will also move in real time.

One more thing: the subway exit problem

In the subway, which ticket gate you go through changes depending on the exit number.

If you come out of the wrong exit, you will end up on the surface in a completely different direction.

When you check a route on Google Maps, the steps include
"Exit from Station XX, Exit △"
with the exit number written down.

Check it before you get on the train or while you are on it.
That way, you will know which ticket gate to head toward.

To summarize what to do:

Before getting on the train (or while on the train) Check the route on Google Maps and confirm the exit number.

Once you reach the surface look at the blue fan-shaped beam to confirm the direction you are facing.

That is all.

Now then.

Next time you get off the subway, please try looking for that blue fan shape.
That is it.

Knowing this will reduce the number of times you go the "wrong way."

Have you ever gotten lost using Google Maps?
Please let me know in the comments if you would like.

If you read until the end, I would be happy if you could click the ♡ button.

Author: Sate. | Digital Utilization Supporter
I have spent 30 years at an IT company creating "easy-to-understand manuals." I will work with you to turn "I don't understand IT" in your 50s and beyond into "Oh, I can do this after all."