If you use Waze for your normal day-to-day drive, you probably don’t need it constantly telling you where to turn, especially when it interrupts your podcast or music.
At the same time, you might still want voice navigation guidance when you actually need it. Instead of choosing between full voice guidance or Alerts only, Waze now has a solution with its new “Less Chatty” mode.
The new Less Chatty mode has started rolling out globally last month and it has finally arrived Malaysia. The feature was announced as part of a wider Waze update that also includes personalised navigation, new Gemini-powered features and an improved motorcycle mode.
How does Waze Less Chatty mode work?
As the name suggests, Less Chatty mode reduces the number of voice prompts you hear while navigating.
According to Waze, enabling the feature minimises voice prompts and keeps them short. You’ll still hear important reminders for hazards, turns and lane changes, but Waze will provide them less frequently.
This could be useful if you’re already familiar with your route and don’t need Waze constantly reminding you about every upcoming manoeuvre. It also means fewer interruptions if you’re listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks while driving.
Importantly, Less Chatty isn’t the same as Waze’s existing “Only alerts” option. Normal mode provides all navigation guidance and alerts, while Less Chatty provides essential navigation guidance and alerts only. “Only alerts”, meanwhile, removes navigation guidance and only provides alerts
To turn on, just tap on the sound icon and select Less Chatty. The feature is also accessible via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Other new Waze features that you might have missed
Less Chatty is among the batch of new Waze updates announced in July 2026. Personalised navigation is also rolling out globally, allowing Waze to suggest routes based on your previous trips alongside its existing real-time traffic information. Users can disable route personalisation from the settings.
Malaysia is also among the first countries to receive Waze’s new motorcycle mode. Waze says the mode uses AI to take into account two-wheeler shortcuts and restrictions while providing motorcycle-specific hazards including potholes, speed bumps, raised crosswalks, shoulder endings and narrow bridges.
For taxi drivers, there’s also a taxi mode which takes into account using lanes restricted for bus and taxi.
Waze is also expanding its Gemini-powered Conversational Reporting feature. Instead of making multiple taps to select the type of report (traffic jam, hazard, lane closure) and sub categories which driving, you can now report with just your natural voice.
Users can also suggest map updates such as road closures and outdated addresses. These suggestions are sent to local map editors for verification before the map is updated.
Meanwhile, a Gemini-powered destination search feature is being rolled out to Waze beta users globally. It allows users to make conversational requests for destinations, such as finding a nearby coffee shop that’s currently open, before starting navigation using their voice.
