How to Open Waze Links in Google Maps Without Copying Coordinates

We have all been there. You are waiting for a friend, or perhaps you are coordinating a meetup with a colleague. They text you a location. You tap the link, expecting to see the familiar red pin of Google Maps. Instead, your phone aggressively launches Waze.

Maybe you don’t have Waze installed. Maybe you prefer Google Maps for its better transit information or satellite view. Or maybe, quite simply, you find Waze’s cartoonish interface distracting when you just want a straightforward route.

The problem is that Waze and Google Maps (despite Google owning Waze) operate in walled gardens. A Waze link is coded to open only in the Waze app. If you don’t have it, or if you just hate it, you are stuck.

In the past, the only workaround was the “Coordinate Method.” You would have to squint at the link, try to find the latitude and longitude numbers hidden in the URL, copy them, switch apps, and paste them into the search bar. It is clunky, prone to errors, and frankly, nobody has time for that when they are trying to get somewhere.

Here is the modern, friction-free way to open Waze links in Google Maps without manually typing in a single coordinate.

Why Waze Links Don’t Just Work in Google Maps

To understand the solution, you have to understand the problem. When someone shares a location from Waze, they aren’t sharing a standard web address like google.com. They are sharing a “deep link.”

These links usually look something like waze.com/ul/h23g... or https://waze.app/....

Your phone recognizes the waze.com or waze.app domain and immediately looks for the Waze application to handle it. Google Maps doesn’t know how to read a Waze-specific code. It’s like trying to play a PlayStation disc in an Xbox. The hardware is similar, but the software languages are different.

The Old Way: The Coordinate Nightmare

Before we get to the easy solution, let’s acknowledge the hard way so you never have to do it again.

If you look closely at a Waze URL, you will often see a string of numbers at the end. These are the GPS coordinates.

The Process: You highlight the numbers, copy them, open Google Maps, tap the search bar, paste, and hit search.
The Risk: Mobile keyboards are small. If you miss a decimal point or copy an extra character, you could end up navigating to the middle of the ocean instead of the coffee shop.

The Solution: Using a Map Link Converter

The most efficient way to bridge the gap between these two apps is to use a Map Link Converter.

Think of a converter as a translator. You feed it the “Waze language” link, and it translates it into a “Google Maps language” link. It does the heavy lifting of decoding the Waze ID and finding the actual address or coordinates for you.

How to Do It (Step-by-Step)

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to do this. Here is the workflow that will save you minutes every week:

Copy the Waze Link: Long-press the link your friend sent you in WhatsApp, iMessage, or Slack and hit “Copy.”
Open Your Converter: Navigate to a link converter tool (there are several free ones available online, or you can use a dedicated app).
Paste and Convert: Paste the Waze link into the input box and hit the “Convert” button.
Open in Google Maps: The tool will generate a new link that starts with https://www.google.com/maps.... Tap that new link, and it will instantly launch Google Maps with the pin dropped exactly where you need it.

This method bypasses the need to understand coordinates entirely. The tool handles the math; you just handle the driving.

For the Power Users: iOS Shortcuts

If you are an iPhone user and you do this frequently, you can automate this process using the Shortcuts app. This is a great way to create a “one-tap” solution without visiting a website every time.

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
Create a new shortcut and add the action “Get contents of URL.”
You will need to use a URL scheme or an API endpoint from a link converter service.
Set the shortcut to accept “URLs” from the share sheet.
Name it “Open in Maps.”

Now, whenever you receive a Waze link, you just tap “Share,” select your “Open in Maps” shortcut, and it will instantly redirect you to Google Maps. It feels like magic, but it’s just a simple automation.

Why Bother Switching?

You might be wondering, “Why not just use Waze if that’s the link they sent?”

There are valid reasons to switch:

Battery Life: Waze is notorious for draining battery faster than Google Maps due to its constant data refreshing and bright interface.
Transit and Walking: Waze is built for cars. If you are walking or taking the bus, Google Maps is superior.
Interface Preference: Some users find Google Maps cleaner and easier to read at a glance.
Integration: If you use other Google services (Calendar, Gmail), having your navigation in the Google ecosystem keeps your data synchronized.

Conclusion

Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, not harder. Being forced to use a specific navigation app just because someone else shared a link is a friction point that shouldn’t exist in 2024.

Stop copying and pasting long strings of numbers. Stop fumbling with your phone while trying to get ready to leave. Whether you use a dedicated converter website or set up a quick iOS shortcut, bridging the gap between Waze and Google Maps is easier than you think.

Next time a friend sends you a Waze link, don’t let it dictate which app you use. Convert it, click it, and go.