Tech Desk 
Jul 20, 2025
Google Maps has quietly removed a critical function in its Android app, causing discomfort for navigating users who also use program facilities.
The media playback toggle that allows drivers to control music applications like Spotify and YouTube Music when in Maps navigation was recently removed from the latest version of the Google Maps app.
However, the media playback toggle was previously located under Settings > Navigation as 'Show media playback controls'. In recent updates (v25.28 stable and v25.29 beta), the option was not available.
The 'Default media app' selection to select a preferred music service has also vanished, according to Android users.
This move comes after Google recently retired Assistant Driving Mode altogether. Google's previous alternative for Assistant Driving Mode was a floating action button (FAB) in Google Maps with limited media control.
Notably, the FAB option is also gone; Android users no longer have any in-app option to control their media while navigating.
Interestingly, Google Maps still supports media playback controls for iPhone users, but options are limited to Apple Music and Spotify.
For now we have no official word from Google as to whether this is a bug or intended removal, as they have made changes to integrate Gemini, Google's AI.
