Google Maps has long been the darling of all navigation enthusiasts, but a recent change has left many puzzled and frustrated. In April, the app jettisoned its Assistant Driving Mode, sparking concern about the direction Google is taking with its navigation experience.

With the removal of the Driving Mode came the loss of its convenient support for music apps, replaced instead by a new, less intuitive floating action button for media playback controls. Now, it appears that the Google Maps team is having second thoughts, as reported by 9to5Google.

The latest news reveals that the toggle for media playback controls is missing from the Settings menu in the Android version of Google Maps, specifically in version 25.29 beta—as confirmed by reports and tests on various devices. Even worse, this removal extends to the stable version (25.28), which has users wondering what’s happening behind the scenes at Google.

Is This a Mistake or a Planned Removal?

The mystery deepens as the same controls still function on the iOS version of Google Maps, raising the question: Is this a bug affecting Android users or a deliberate decision by Google? Without alternative media playback controls during navigation, Android users are effectively left in the dark, forced to rely on standard app controls that disrupt their driving experience.

For now, iOS Maps users can still manage to play music seamlessly, but note that only Apple Music and Spotify are compatible, leaving YouTube Music users in the lurch.

What’s Next for Google Maps?

As discontent brews among frequent Google Maps users, we eagerly await a response from Google regarding this surprising feature loss. Following its decision to replace Assistant with Gemini across Android, many are left speculating about what the future holds—especially concerning a Gemini-based Driving Mode that, if ever launched, remains shrouded in mystery.

With users clamoring for clarity, it’s a tense waiting game to see if this change is temporary or the new norm.