Where your phone stores directions
Directions you send to your phone are usually stored in one of three places: your maps app's history, your email, or a text message thread. The fastest way to find them depends on how you sent them — from a computer, another phone, or a website.
If you sent directions from Google Maps or Apple Maps on a computer, they typically appear in your phone's maps app under a "History" or "Recent" section. If someone texted or emailed you directions, they stay in your Messages or email app unless you delete them. Some phones also save directions to a notes app or a shared link.
Key Takeaways
- Google Maps and Apple Maps both keep a searchable history of directions you have looked up, accessible from the app's menu.
- Directions sent by text or email remain in your Messages or email app, searchable by the sender's name or keywords like "address" or "directions".
- If you saved directions to a contact, they appear in your Contacts app under that person's address field.
- Shared map links sent via text, email, or messaging apps can be found by searching your message threads or email for the sender's name.
Finding directions in Google Maps
Open Google Maps and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Select "Your timeline" or "History" — the exact label depends on your phone's Android version. This shows every place you have searched for directions, organized by date.
Scroll through the list to find the address or location you are looking for. Tap it to see the full route, estimated travel time, and the directions you received. If you remember roughly when you looked it up, scroll to that date to narrow the search faster.
If the history list is very long, use the search box at the top of the history screen. Type the address, business name, or street name to filter results. This is faster than scrolling if you remember any part of the destination.
Finding directions in Apple Maps
Open Apple Maps and tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Recents" to see a list of places you have searched for or received directions to. The most recent searches appear at the top.
Scroll down to find the address or location. Tap it to view the route again, including travel time and turn-by-turn directions. If you want to remove an item from recents, swipe left on it and tap "Remove".
Apple Maps does not have a dedicated history search function like Google Maps, so if your recents list is long, it may be faster to search for the address directly using the search bar instead of scrolling through the full list.
Retrieving directions from text messages and email
Open your Messages app and search for the person who sent you the directions. Look for keywords like "address", "directions", "location", or the street name if you remember it. Most messaging apps have a search function accessible from the top of the conversation list.
If directions were sent by email, open your email app and search for the sender's name or the destination address. Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail all have search bars at the top of the inbox. Refine your search by typing the sender's name and a keyword like "directions" to narrow results.
Once you find the message, you can copy the address and paste it into your maps app, or tap a link if the sender included a shared map. Shared map links usually open directly in your maps app when tapped.
Checking your contacts for saved addresses
If you saved directions to a contact — for example, a friend's home address or a business location — open your Contacts app and search for that person or business name. Tap the contact to view their saved address.
From the contact's address field, you can tap the address to open it in your maps app and get directions. This is useful if you frequently need directions to the same place, since you do not have to search or scroll through history each time.
Using shared map links
If someone sent you a link to a map or location (rather than just an address), search your Messages or email for the sender's name. Shared links often come from Google Maps, Apple Maps, or other mapping services and usually contain the full URL in the message.
Tap the link to open it. Your phone will automatically open the location in your default maps app, showing the address, directions, and any notes the person included. You can then save the location to your contacts or your maps app's favorites for future reference.
Saving directions so you can find them later
In Google Maps, search for an address or location, then tap the star icon to save it to "Saved places". In Apple Maps, tap the location and then tap the bookmark icon. Both apps organize saved places into lists or folders, making them easy to find without searching history.
You can also add an address to a contact in your Contacts app. Open the contact, tap "Edit", and add the address to the address field. This keeps the location tied to that person or business permanently.
If you want to share directions with someone else, both Google Maps and Apple Maps let you send a link. Tap the location, look for a "Share" button, and choose how to send it — text, email, or another app. The recipient can tap the link to see the exact location and get their own directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see directions I looked up months ago?
Yes, if you have not cleared your history. Google Maps keeps your timeline indefinitely unless you delete it. Apple Maps keeps recents for several months, but the exact duration varies. If you cannot find old directions in history, try searching your email or messages if someone sent them to you.
What if I cleared my history by accident?
Once you clear history in Google Maps or Apple Maps, it cannot be recovered from the app itself. However, if someone sent you the directions by text or email, you can still find them in your Messages or email app. If you saved the location to a contact, it remains in your Contacts app.
How do I find directions if I only remember the street name?
Use the search function in your maps app's history and type the street name. In Messages or email, search for the street name or the sender's name. If you remember roughly when you looked it up, scroll to that date in your history to narrow results faster.
Can I see directions someone else sent me if they deleted the message?
No, if the message is deleted from your phone, the directions are gone unless you saved them to a contact or your maps app. If the person sent a shared map link, you may be able to find it in your email if it was forwarded or in a group chat that is still active.
Why can't I find a location in my maps history?
History only saves locations you have actively searched for or received directions to. If you only tapped a location without getting directions, it may not appear in history. Try searching your email or messages instead, or check your Contacts app if you saved it there.