- Google Maps tests a centered view on Android Auto
- A power-saving mode for navigation is in the works too
- It might be a while before everyone sees these changes
Google Maps continues to add small but helpful upgrades to the user experience, specifically in the latest example for navigating through the Android Auto interface – and it looks as though a handy battery saving mode is in the works too.
First up, Android Authority has spotted that if you’re using Google Maps through Android Auto, the map is now centered on screen when you’re using the app full screen – putting the turns of your route front and center.
This is a repeat of a change that happened earlier this year, but previously the rest of the user interface wasn’t accounted for. What happened was that the search and recent destinations box kept interfering with the region of the map directly ahead of you.
The update was originally rolled back because of these clashes, but now the center alignment is back – and this time, Google has done everything properly, with the rest of the UI kept out of the way. It’s not clear if this change is live for all users yet, however.
Getting from A to B with less battery
Google Maps is working on an extremely minimalist power saving modeThe mode would eliminate almost all UI elements and extraneous map labeling from your view✅ More information – pic.twitter.com/hcpTXKkEa6October 30, 2025
Our second bit of Google Maps news is a power-saving mode for using when navigating between places. It was originally spotted by Android Authority, and then we have some gallery pictures courtesy of 9to5Google as well.
This feature isn’t live yet, so you won’t be able to test it, but there’s evidence for it in the code of the latest version of Google Maps for Android. It apparently turns the screen black and white, and keeps on-screen elements down to a minimum.
Those changes should help you eke out more time between battery charges, and just might mean the difference between making it to your destination before your phone dies, or having to complete the route without the help of Google Maps.
Nothing has been said about this feature by Google so far, and it may well be tweaked and refined before it rolls out to everyone. Considering some of the code for it is now in place, a rollout shouldn’t be too far away.
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