By Abner Li
Publication Date: 2026-01-09 23:30:00
Of all the first-party apps, Google Maps probably offered the worst settings experience, but a redesign is finally cleaning things up.
The previous settings list was years old, with Google continuously adding menus and on/off toggles to it. It was an eyesore, especially the random emoji, that did not fit everything into one page.
This Google Maps settings redesign sees everything grouped into seven high-level menus with accompanying icons and descriptions. It’s somewhat reminiscent of Google (Search) app, with “Settings” left-aligned and a close ‘x’ at the right.
- App & display: Theme, map controls, accessibility
- Navigation: Driving, walking, transit
- Your vehicles: Engine type, connected vehicles
- Location & privacy: Timeline, Maps history, profile
- Offline maps: Download options, updates
- Notifications: Reminders, recommendations
Old vs. new
Menus like Navigation, Your vehicles,…
