Google Maps navigation missing media controls on Android: Update fixes issue

Google Maps navigation on Android has lost media playback controls for YouTube Music and Spotify after the removal of Assistant Driving Mode. A bug is affecting the feature, and Google is working on a fix. The disappearance of the controls has left users without an easy way to access media playback while navigating.

Google Maps navigation on Android has recently lost media playback controls for YouTube Music and Spotify, following the deprecation of Assistant Driving Mode earlier this year. The disappearance of these controls has left users without an easy way to access media playback while navigating. This issue was first reported by 9to5Google, which noted that the feature, which previously extended the bottom sheet with album art, song name, and artist, has now disappeared [1].

The removal of media playback controls has been observed in Google Maps versions 25.28 (stable) and 25.29 (beta) over the past week. Users can no longer access the "Show media playback controls" toggle or the "Default media app" option through Settings Navigation. The feature remains available on iOS, suggesting that the issue might be specific to Android. It is unclear whether this is a bug or an intentional removal, but Google is reportedly working on a fix [1].

This development comes as Google Maps continues to expand its integration with various services and devices. Google has recently partnered with Rivian to develop a new navigation system for its electric vehicles (EVs), which is powered by Google Maps. This new system offers a mix of in-house features and Google Maps' routing, traffic insights, and satellite imagery [2]. The integration enables Rivian EVs to retrieve fresh Google Maps data to determine the fastest route, calculate ETAs, and reroute as needed.

The disappearance of media playback controls in Google Maps highlights the importance of user experience in navigation apps. As the global automotive software and electronics market is expected to reach $462 billion by 2030, companies like Google are investing in custom navigation experiences to stay competitive [2].

References:
[1] 9to5Google. (2025, July 19). Google Maps media controls disappear after Assistant Driving Mode removal. Retrieved from https://9to5google.com/2025/07/19/google-maps-media-controls/
[2] Neowin. (2025, July 19). Google Maps now powers Rivian's new navigation system for its EVs. Retrieved from https://www.neowin.net/news/google-maps-now-powers-rivians-new-navigation-system-for-its-