Will Waze ever use Google Plus codes?
100 % agree!!!
I use, beside GOOGLE MAPS, an excellent app from Czechia: mapy.cz and they have this possibility. I’m slowly changing (converting) all my contacts database to add Custom field “Plus Code” and find it much more convenient than cumbersome, unprecise GPS Coordinates and/or long street names!Am currently at: 7MV7MFR5+C7P
but from May 2nd on: 8FWRV29P+7Q
WAZE, wake up!
I was wondering, that’s why I googled “waze plus code” and landed here.
Well: Plus codes are a Google invention and Waze is a Google asset. Why aren’t they supported already?
At this time there has not been any official communication of whether Waze will add support or not.
2 of the first 3 submissions when you search for the feature in the Waze Suggestion Box are relevant. Staff do pay attention to this site and consider it when planning the road maps. I’d suggest up voting here and working to get it out if you’d like to see it implemented.
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Waze does use Google Plus codes, at least on the Android version, I can’t speak for iOS.
This is how I do it:
On your head unit or phone, open the Search/Where to field.
Enter the plus code, DO NOT tap any suggestions, tap the Search icon.
Line below is outdated, left for history, you will now get a box listing location (city/state/province etc.) Tap this box.
You will get a map pin display if on the phone and a destination box with a blank space for the destination and a distance indicator. Tap this box.
Tap GO.
Enjoy your trip.
Note: If you paste in a plus code from another app, edit the field to delete all information other than the plus code before tapping the Search icon. The presence of anything other that just the plus code will cause weird results.
Something changed at some point, Previously Waze would not handle 8+2 codes, but after the most recent update, Waze now accepts 8+2 codes. (It is also possible I was doing something wrong.)
If you are looking to go very far, make sure you get an 8+2 code, 4+2 codes repeat and if you cross a larger frame boundary Waze will take you to the 4+2 code in your frame. (I don’t know the terminology, so I’m improvising.)
I recommend that you always use an 8+2 code, the repeating nature of the short codes are a trap for those using them. Find an app that uses long codes, or be sure to get the full 8+2 codes from the Google tools.
Handy trick: If you need to go somewhere without an address repeatedly, you can create a contact in your phone with a Plus code as an address. I get a city and state description when I use this trick.
This post will be updated as I learn new things on this topic.
Update 4/11/23:
The leading four characters of a Plus Code are called an Area Code. This harks back to the days when the first 3 digits of a North American phone number actually referenced a physical area. While those numbers still have some relation to location under some circumstances, the link erodes as people hold numbers for decades as they move around.
In Plus Codes, an area code refers to a specific 62.1 square mile area (100sq km) on the planet. This is why it is vital to get full 8 character codes ahead of the + symbol. I haven’t done the math, but a code of XXXX+YYY can refer to hundreds of places on the planet. a full AAAAXXXX+YYY code refers to exactly one spot. If you are near an area code boundary and grab a code on the other side of the line without realizing it, some people who you give the code to could end up 62 miles away from where they want to be.
Above you will note that I used an 8+3 pattern. Extra characters add to accuracy. In some areas, 8+4 codes are used to create addresses where conventional postal addresses do not exist or are not practical to implement. For most navigational purposes an 8+2 will suffice.
A quick way to get an 8+2 code for a location is to go to Plus codes
Zoom to the level you need to identify your desired location. Click on the location. A small pop-up will appear at the bottom of the screen with a 4+2 code and a description. Click on the ^ symbol at the left end of the pop-up, and a panel will slide up on the left with the full 8+2 code. Feed this code to Waze. If you expect to visit this location repeatedly, create a contact in your phone that Waze can use when needed, giving the Plus Code as an address.
Update 1/9/24
It turns out that I can’t use the plus entry in a contact directly. I bring it up on the phone and type the code into the radio. Minor nuisance.
Update 2/6/24
I have found that if I create a separate entry for a contact with the only address being a plus code, I can find that address in the list if I am typing the name in. I cannot seem to get that with voice requests. So now I can type the name (I usually create an entry with the name and the word Plus) and pick the plus code from the list that comes up. Things are improving.
Update 7/5/24
I don’t know how long this has been in place, but I recently noticed that recent Plus Code trips will show up in the recent history list, exactly as they list when the code is entered. If I enter a code that displays Superior Twp, MI, that appears in the recent list and can be tapped like any other entry and off you go. (Enough repeats of recent for you? :D) Also, the step listed above mentioning a map pin display has changed. Now it will just list the location you are going to without a map, then try to go to where you specified when you tap the Go button. I strongly advise that you use the Routes icon to verify that you are going where you want before you start driving.
Update 6/13/25
At some time in the last few months, it seems that Waze has removed the ability to use Plus codes. Attempts to use Plus codes now return “No results found”, even on stored codes that have been used before. This will cause me problems on an upcoming trip.
I’ve been looking for Plus Codes in waze for years. It worked well.
But it doesn’t work now (version 4.101.0.1). No results found 