Avid Google Map users, prepare to lose out on two huge features that will change your whole user experience.
Starting on the social side of the app, you'll no longer be able to follow fellow Google Maps users beginning September 2025, according to a community support page from Google. This means if you're knowledgeable about a certain local area, you can no longer share your favourite locations with others.
By removing this feature, all data relating to your followers and who you follow will be deleted. It also eliminates an additional way to improve small business visibility in the local areas.
However, you can still search and view your profile if they want to see what you've tried out in the locations you've visited. If you don't like your posted locations viewed by others, though, you have the option to hide it from view in your user settings with these steps:
- Open the Google Maps app
- Tap your profile picture. Then select settings, personal content, and profile privacy
- Use the toggle to restrict your profile, which makes your contributions available to those you approve of only
If you're looking for inspiration for future trips, you still have the option to connect with Google Maps contributors by using Google's Local Guides, a social platform where individuals can contribute reviews, photos, and answers to questions to help advise others on Google Maps.
Elsewhere, Android users lost access to the media playback feature, which is the ability to control music or podcasts directly from the navigation screen without the need to switch to a separate music app.
The media playback feature also allows users to control music or podcasts directly within the navigation screen.In an official statement by Google, it was revealed this lose of access on Android was actually due to a glitch in the system and was not actively being removed. As such, the loss is expected to be temporary ...although there's no definitive timeline on when the glitch will be reversed.
iPhone owners never lost access to this feature, since the bug was limited to Android.
iOS users can now find locations from an image using Google Maps
|GOOGLE PRESS
While losing these two features may be disappointing for some, Google always has new additions swooping in to replace them.
For instance, there's now a new screenshot feature for iOS users, which allows Google to find locations from your screenshot images in your photo library. This helps streamline the process of searching for new areas.
While this is currently in process to be released for Android users too, we don't have an exact date yet.
New icons for nearby parking and the entrance into a large complex, like an apartment block, will appear in Google Maps as part of a future update | GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE This time last year, Google Maps also came out with an update to help you dodge traffic jams and find a parking space.
Google Maps has always provided turn-by-turn driving directions to the postcode or address that you typed into the search bar, but hasn't anticipated that you'll need to park your vehicle at the end of the journey.
That all changes with the "Destination Guidance" update bundle, which proactively highlights the entrance to multi-storey car parks and large apartment complexes, as well as nearby parking spaces that are available to you as you approach your final destination.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Google accidentally unmasks new Pixel 10 smartphones
- Your Google search will never be the same again
- Hundreds of dodgy streaming sites BLOCKED for everyone in the UK
- Best VPN deals
- ChatGPT can take control of your browser to book restaurants, buy products, more
A vibrant green icon with an illustration of an arrow pointing inside an open doorway will show up as your vehicle approaches an expansive building, like a new housing development, hotel, or apartment complex — guiding you to the entrance, so you'll never have to drive around a few times trying to locate the gate.
Meanwhile, vacant parking places will be marked with a large "P" icon. According to Google, both of these nifty tweaks will be especially helpful for drivers in unfamiliar surroundings, or when it's dark or late at night.
More From GB News