- Google Maps tests a view focused on Android Auto
- A power saving mode for navigation is also in the works.
- It may be a while before everyone sees these changes.
Google Maps continues to add small but useful updates to the user experience, specifically in the latest example for navigating through the Android Auto interface, and it looks like a handy battery saving mode is in the works too.
Firstly, Android Authority has detected that if you’re using Google Maps through Android Auto, the map is now centered on the screen when you’re using the app in full screen, putting the turns in your route front and center.
This is a repeat of a change that occurred earlier this year, but was previously disregarded for the rest of the UI. What happened was that the search and recent destinations box kept interfering with the map region directly in front of you.
The update was originally rolled back due to these conflicts, but now the core alignment is back, and this time, Google has done everything correctly, keeping the rest of the UI out of the way. However, it is unclear if this change is now available to all users.
Get from A to B with less battery
Google Maps is working on an extremely minimalist power saving mode. The mode would remove almost all UI elements and extraneous map labels from your view. More information – pic.twitter.com/hcpTXKkEa6October 30, 2025
Our second Google Maps news is a power saving mode to use when navigating between places. It was originally spotted by Android Authority, and then we also have some gallery images courtesy of 9to5Google.
This feature isn’t available yet, so you won’t be able to test it, but there is evidence of it in the code of the latest version of Google Maps for Android. It apparently turns the screen into black and white and keeps on-screen elements to a minimum.
Those changes should help you gain more time between battery charges and could mean the difference between reaching your destination before your phone dies or having to complete the route without the help of Google Maps.
Google hasn’t said anything about this feature so far, and it’s possible it will be tweaked and refined before it’s released to everyone. Considering that some of the code is already implemented, its implementation should not be far away.
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