Google has removed the simplified “Driving Mode” interface from the Google Maps app. The feature, first introduced in 2019, provided drivers without Android Auto or a built-in infotainment system with an optimized view that combined navigation, media controls, and Google Assistant voice commands.
Why did Google remove driving mode from Maps?
The primary reason for the discontinuation is Google’s strategic shift from Google Assistant to its newer AI system, Gemini. Driving Mode was deeply integrated with the older Assistant technology, making it obsolete as the company transitions its services to the more advanced AI.
While Google has not released an official statement, the removal aligns with this broader technology overhaul.
Over the years, the feature’s functionality had already been reduced. The original dashboard view was dismantled, leaving a simpler bar at the bottom of the Maps screen. Users also reported inconsistent performance with some features, including voice-assistant requests, which likely contributed to the decision to retire it.
The Google Maps application itself is not being discontinued and will continue to function as the company’s primary navigation tool. The removal of Driving Mode paves the way for a more direct integration of Gemini into the Maps interface.
This change is expected to replace the functionality of the old feature, eventually offering drivers more advanced AI-powered assistance for navigation, media control, and communication.
