You can turn off labels in Google Maps on a computer, but only in Satellite view. Go to google.com/maps, point to Layers in the bottom-left corner, click More, choose Satellite, and then turn off Labels. Street names, business names, and other text disappear, leaving a clean satellite image. The Google Maps app on iPhone and Android doesn’t have an option to hide labels, and the regular Default map view always shows them.
If you need a label-free map in other styles, Google Earth and Google My Maps can help. Here’s how each works.
Turn off labels in Google Maps on a computer
- Open google.com/maps in a web browser.
- Point to the Layers box in the bottom-left corner of the map.
- Click More to open the full layers panel.
- Under Map type, click Satellite.
- Turn off (or uncheck) Labels.
To bring labels back, turn Labels on again, or switch back to the Default map type.
If you don’t see the Labels option, make sure Satellite is selected, and try turning off Globe view. The panel’s layout changes from time to time as Google updates Maps.
Can you turn off labels in the Google Maps app?
No. The mobile app doesn’t let you hide labels in any map type. Workarounds:
- Open google.com/maps in your phone’s browser and request the desktop site, then follow the steps above.
- Use the Google Earth app with the Clean map style (below).
Use Google Earth for a label-free map
- Open earth.google.com or the Google Earth app.
- Click Map Style (the map icon in the left menu).
- Choose Clean, which shows no borders, labels, places, or roads.
- For more control, choose Custom and turn individual layers on or off.
Make a simple map without most labels in My Maps
- Go to google.com/mymaps and click Create a new map.
- Click Base map at the bottom of the left panel.
- Choose Satellite or a minimal style like Light Political or Whitewater, which show fewer labels.
- Add your own pins and shapes, then share or print the map.
For developers: fully custom map styles
If you’re embedding a map on a website, the Google Maps Platform lets you create a map style that hides labels, roads, points of interest, and more using cloud-based map styling. This requires a Google Cloud project and an API key.
Related: How to Turn Off Satellite View in Google Maps on iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I turn off labels in the Default map view?
Google Maps only offers the Labels switch in Satellite view. The Default view always shows labels.
Can I hide only business names but keep street names?
Not in Google Maps. Google Earth’s Custom map style and the Google Maps Platform for developers offer that level of control.
Can I print a Google Map without labels?
Yes. Turn off labels in Satellite view, then press Ctrl + P (or Command + P on a Mac), or take a screenshot of the map.
Does turning off labels change the map for other people?
No. It only changes what you see in your browser.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.