Unlock the New Google Maps Hidden Driving Mode in the Latest Update
Android: Google Maps’ navigation feature has been one of the best on Android for a long time. However, it would be nice if you could see things like traffic updates and nearby gas stations without entering your destination. Now you can.
In the latest Google Maps update, Android Police discovered a hidden driving mode. You can enter this mode whether you mean the destination or not. Google Maps will use information about your usual driving routes to guess where you are going and let you know if there are traffic incidents on your way. You can also search for nearby restaurants, gas stations, and more.
To activate this feature, you first need to update your Google Maps to the latest version (v. 9.19). If you don’t have the updated app yet, you can install it on some phones from Android Police from the source link below. Once you’ve installed your new app, follow these steps:
- Open Google Maps.
- Go to Settings in the drawer on the left side of the app.
- At the bottom of the list of settings, select “Sign out of Google Maps”.
- Press the Multitasking button on your phone and swipe Google Maps.
- Open Google Maps again.
- Open the slide-out navigation bar on the left side of the app.
- You should now see a Start Driving button in the list of options.
- Go to Settings and sign in to Google Maps again.
According to Android Police, the steps to activate Driving Mode may differ from one device to the next, but several users (myself included) have been able to activate it using these steps. If that doesn’t work, just sit. It might be a hidden feature that Google might not have intended to release publicly, or it might just be a bug that’s not available without workarounds. Either way, this is most likely just around the corner for everyone.
Update: Google has officially announced this feature. The company explains that driving predictions do not track your activity to predict where you are going. However, if you have provided your home or work address, it will show approximate data for these areas. If you’re signed in, it will also show you suggestions based on your recent maps and search history. Now that the feature is publicly announced, users should be able to enable it without the above workaround, but if you don’t see it, give it a try. Find out more about the new feature here .
Maps v9.19 Introduces New “Driving Mode” With Traffic Updates And ETA, Audio Toggle For Navigation And Timeline Settings | Police Android