Summary
- Google Maps has ditched its old full-screen menus for slide-up cards that keep the map in view.
- The sheets act as temporary layers that slide up from the bottom, displaying information without taking you away from the map.
- Travel mode picker has also been revamped, appearing at the bottom for easy access, reducing screen clutter while navigating.
Starting last year, people using Google Maps began noticing a pretty clear shift in how the app looks and feels. Gone were those full-screen menus—at least in the “Explore” tab—and in came a new look that had people feeling all kinds of ways. Instead of taking over the whole screen, the app started using information cards with rounded corners, letting you see more of the map while poking around menus. Now, that same sheet-style layout is rolling out to even more parts of Maps’ Android app.
Related
8 Google Maps settings I change when I get a new phone
Top Google Maps settings you should know about
The folks at 9to5Google were the first to catch this UI redesign, and we’ve seen it live on our own Android phones running Maps version 25.16.06. Now, along with Explore, tapping the You or Contribute buttons at the bottom brings up those same slide-up drawers. You can pull it up to take over most of the screen or keep it tucked down in a compact view.
These new information cards or “sheets” basically act like pop-up layers on top of the map. They’re temporary panels that slide up from the bottom to show you information without pulling you away from the map itself.
Even the travel mode picker—where you choose between driving, walking, or other options—has received a makeover. Now it pops up right at the bottom of the screen, putting your go-to choices right where your thumb can reach them.
Small change, big win for staying oriented
With their smooth, rounded edges, these panels let more of the map peek through while you’re using them. It might seem like a small tweak, but it really cuts down on screen clutter and helps you stay locked in on where you are while exploring or navigating.
Prior to this update, Google Maps used to go full-screen whether you’re getting directions, checking out nearby spots, or scrolling through restaurant reviews. Everything took over the whole screen, and you had to back out just to get back to the map. It worked, but for users who weren’t used to the app, it could feel a bit clunky and confusing.
Google has been cooking up this redesign for a while now. The first sneak peeks popped up in beta tests way back in February last year. After mysteriously disappearing for a bit, the new look came back for more testing in May. By July, the company finally rolled it out to the Explore tab, and now it has spread to all three main sections of the app.
