
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google Maps v25.28 secure and v25.29 beta have eliminated in-app media playback controls.
- The eliminated function allowed quick access to play, browse solutions, or open the default music app.
- It’s unclear if the removing was intentional or only a bug, because the performance nonetheless exists on iOS.
Google Maps stays among the best apps for Android units, nevertheless it’s not good. There are many methods Google can enhance the Maps expertise, and a great beginning step is to preserve options that customers use and never take away them, particularly if substitute performance isn’t accessible. The most recent change to Google Maps makes it considerably troublesome to regulate your music whereas navigating, and it’s fairly infuriating.
As noticed by 9to5Google, Google Maps v25.28 secure in addition to Maps v25.29 beta has eliminated the media playback controls that appeared on the backside of the app when navigating.

The media controls have been a swipe away on the backside, and you could possibly simply management playback from right here. Customers may additionally faucet the Browse button for 9 fast solutions to modify to shortly. If you happen to wanted extra choices, there was a helpful shortcut to shortly open the music app. If you happen to wanted extra display actual property, you could possibly swipe down the controls to maneuver them out of the best way once more.
These helpful media management shortcuts needed to be enabled inside Google Maps’ Settings > Navigation > Present media playback controls. This function labored with YouTube Music and Spotify, and you could possibly additionally choose your default media app. Nevertheless, the brand new Google Maps replace on each secure and beta channels has eliminated all of this.
This function was my default option to management music playback whereas navigating. Whereas there are different exterior methods to regulate playback, having the management proper on the navigation display was tremendous handy because it minimized distractions and faucets wanted to easily change a music. Now, you need to swap out to your music participant app or use the lively media participant notification within the notification panel to regulate playback, which means you need to navigate away from the Maps display and, worse, be distracted for a number of extra seconds whereas driving.
It’s not instantly clear if this removing is intentional or only a bug, however the function stays current on Google Maps for iOS, for what it’s price.
We’ve contacted Google to be taught extra concerning the removing of media playback controls from Google Maps. We’ll preserve you up to date after we be taught extra.