Car Icons Are Disappearing From Google Maps in Android Auto (but There Might Be a Fix).
Android Auto users are reporting a bug that causes their cars to disappear from the road—well, not literally, but specifically in Google Maps. On Reddit and Google support forums , drivers are reporting that their car icons periodically disappear from navigation screens when using the Google Maps app through Android Auto. Some users have found workarounds, but these solutions don’t always seem to work. Here’s what’s happening and what you can do to try to fix it.
Why do car icons disappear in Google Maps in Android Auto?
The news first surfaced six days ago in a Reddit thread , where several users reported issues with their car icons disappearing while using the Google Maps app via Android Auto. According to these drivers, when the error occurred, the map moved normally, and traffic information and navigation instructions continued to display as expected. However, the icon indicating the car’s location would suddenly disappear from the screen, making it difficult to determine its exact location relative to the road. This isn’t ideal if you’re trying to determine when your next turn is approaching.
According to the original poster, the issue started with Android Auto 16.1, though other users have reported it as early as 15.9 . The bug doesn’t seem to occur consistently, but “reliably” appears when exiting Google Maps, opening another app full-screen, and either returning to Google Maps full-screen or opening it next to the new app in split-screen mode. To get the icon back, the poster had to force-close Google Maps on his phone, but that didn’t prevent the bug from reoccurring. Google hasn’t yet publicly commented on the issue, though I’ve contacted the company and will update this post as soon as I hear back.
How to Fix Google Maps Problems in Android Auto
If your car icon disappears while using Google Maps through Android Auto, there are a few workarounds that have worked for some users, although their effectiveness for all users is questionable.
Try updating or downgrading your Android Auto version.
This bug appears to be occurring around the same time as the release of Android Auto v16.1 last week. While the bug has also been reported in older versions of the app, such as Android Auto v15.9, it’s worth trying a different version of Android Auto to see if that resolves the issue. For example, one user mentioned that installing Android Auto v16.0.66 resolved the issue. If you have an older version, you can update to the latest version using the Android Auto link in the Play Store . However, if you have the latest version and want to try an older version, you’ll need to uninstall the Android Auto app and manually install the older version using a trusted APK file . Since such files can be difficult to verify, this may not be the best option for most users.
Try changing the car icon in Android Auto.
In the original Reddit thread, several users , including the original author , noted that the bug only seems to affect them when using a custom car icon. Until Google releases a fix, one solution may be to change the car icon back to the standard white arrow in a blue circle. To change the car icon in Google Maps , open the app on your phone without connecting to Android Auto. Start getting directions to the desired location. Tap the car icon and swipe left or right to change the icon until you see the standard white arrow in a blue circle. The next time you connect the Google Maps app to Android Auto, your car icon should update. Please note that this is not a guaranteed solution. For example, one user on the Google support forum reported that their arrow icon also disappeared from Google Maps in Android Auto when returning from another app.
Please avoid triggering this error or use an alternative navigation application.
The only positive aspect of this error is that the circumstances under which it occurs seem to be fairly consistent. This means it can be largely avoided by simply not closing the Google Maps app once it’s open. While this may be acceptable for short trips, it’s not ideal for longer ones, where you might need to adjust a podcast or playlist mid-ride. You can manually restart the Google Maps app on your phone every time the error occurs, but this is not only annoying but can also be dangerous if you’re in the middle of a trip.
If none of the above solutions work for you and you want to retain the ability to exit the full-screen navigation app without losing the car icon, it might be worth ditching Google Maps for now and using an alternative navigation app . For example, Google’s own Waze app works with Android Auto and doesn’t currently appear to have this bug. Alternative navigation apps have their pros and cons, as Waze focuses less on comprehensive mapping and more on real-time traffic information from users when determining routes. Still, they’re worth a try. If Waze isn’t your thing, other popular navigation apps compatible with Android Auto include Sygic GPS and TomTom – Maps & Traffic (formerly TomTom AmiGo).