Have you ever seen a Google Street View car around your house? This car has a large spherical camera on the roof, which allows the car to take 360-degree images continuously. The images can be accessed via Google Maps on your computer or mobile device.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Accessing with Computer
Step 1. Open Google Maps
Street View is a function of Google Maps. Google cars equipped with special cameras roam the roads in various countries, and take 360-degree images to aid navigation and exploration. Google Maps lets you access any place that Street View has explored.
You can also access Street View via Google Earth
Step 2. Find the place you want to see
You can search for a location or browse the map with the mouse. If you're searching for a location, you'll usually see a pin on the map in the area you're looking for.
Step 3. Enable Street View
Once you find the location you want to view, you can turn on Street View. You can use several ways to get started with Street View, depending on which version of Google Maps you're using.
- Show Street View for search results. If you're looking for an address or location and find a Pin on a map, you can access Street View for that location by clicking the photo in the information box that appears when the Pin is selected.
- Drag and drop Pegman. Click and hold the Pegman icon to "hold" the icon. Streets will be marked according to Street View availability -- streets with Street View will have a blue line in the middle. The building you can see inside has a yellow circle. Natural tourist sites will have a blue circle. If you're using the latest beta version of Google Maps, clicking Pegman will bring up the Street View layer on the screen.
- Use the Explorer bar. If you're using the latest beta version of Google Maps, click the arrow icon at the bottom right to open the Explore bar. This bar will display famous locations and sights near your current location on the map. Clicking on the photo will take you directly to Street View for that point.
- Enlarge the image to the maximum. Enlarging the image to near maximum on Google Maps will load Street View for that location automatically, when available.
Step 4. Go in circles
In Street View, you can go in circles by clicking and dragging your mouse. Click and drag the mouse in the opposite direction -- for example, if you want to look to the left, click, hold, and move the mouse to the right.
You can use the buttons around the compass to go around in circles. It's at the top left of the screen on older Maps and at the bottom right on the new Maps beta
Step 5. Get moving
One of the great things about Street View is that you can move around while using it. Click anywhere on the image, and Street View will try to take you to the nearest place. Use this feature to explore a specific area, take a virtual vacation, or find a place you want to visit in person.
The path will display an arrow when you see it. Clicking on the arrow will slightly move you in the direction of the arrow
Method 2 of 2: Accessing by Mobile
Step 1. Open the Google Maps app
If you're out and about, Street View can be a great tool for finding what you're looking for. Use Street View to see where you're going before you leave so you know what to look for, or find a place of business overseas.
You can use Street View on any version of Google Maps and any device, as long as you have a data connection
Step 2. Place the marker
To access Street View, you must have a marker on the map. You can place a marker by searching for a location, tapping a business marker on the map, or by pressing and holding a specific place on the map with your finger.
Step 3. Swipe up
Once the marker appears, the address will appear in a bar at the bottom of the map, along with a Navigation button. Swipe up on the bar with your finger to open the Save/Share screen. If Street View is available at your location, a photo will appear.
If you haven't selected a location on the street, you may not be able to load Street View. Try placing the marker closer to the road
Step 4. Open Street View
Tap the photo to load Street View mode. The screen view will change to a 360 degree photo. You will need a data connection to download images.
Step 5. Go in circles
You can go around in Street View by moving your finger across the screen. The camera will move in the opposite direction of your finger -- for example, if you swipe down, it will move up. You can zoom in or out on the image by pinching the screen.
Tap the icon to point the phone and look around the image. This function can be very useful if you are near a location and want to see where you are traveling. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen and looks like two arrows pointing at each other
Step 6. Get moving
You can move to any location in the image by double-tapping on that location. Street View will try to load the nearest location. You can also go back and forth on the path by tapping the arrows that appear. This feature is useful for driving simulations, because traffic signs will appear at every intersection.
