Google Maps Update: GPS Functionality Discontinued for Maps Application
Google Maps has introduced a new feature designed to enhance navigation in tunnels and indoor spaces such as parking garages. This feature, which uses small Bluetooth devices installed within these locations, aims to overcome the limitations of traditional GPS signals by providing real-time location data. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to activate the Bluetooth Beacons feature on Android devices.
Activating Google Maps' Bluetooth Beacons Feature on Android
- Enable Bluetooth: Ensure Bluetooth is turned on your device to receive beacon signals.
- Activate the Feature: Open Google Maps, go to your profile picture, then into "Settings" and "Navigation settings." Find and toggle on the "Bluetooth Beacons for Tunnel" option.
- Grant Permissions: Confirm any required permissions to use the feature.
Please note that as of now, this feature is specifically mentioned for Android devices. The availability for iOS devices is not yet confirmed. Users interested in this feature on iOS should monitor updates from Google or check the Google Maps app for iOS for similar settings in the future.
Google Maps, one of the most popular navigation apps today, is introducing this technology to allow navigation to continue seamlessly even when GPS signals are lost. The activation process for the Google Maps Bluetooth beacon feature is done directly within the app on Android devices. If the feature becomes available for iOS devices in the future, the activation process may vary.
The use of Bluetooth beacons is little known so far, but this new feature is designed to work in tunnels and parking garages where GPS signals are often weak or lost. Navigation services are no longer commonly used from devices specifically purchased for cars, as modern apps like Google Maps can do much more than traditional navigation devices.
The technology is mentioned in the magazine "Computer Bild" in its current issue (18/2025). The new feature uses Bluetooth beacons for location data transmission in short distances, allowing for seamless navigation in indoor spaces. The "Bluetooth beacons for tunnels" option is located in the Navigation settings menu of the Google Maps app on Android devices.
In conclusion, the Google Maps Bluetooth beacons feature is a promising development for navigation in tunnels and indoor spaces. With a few simple steps, Android users can activate this feature and enjoy improved navigation in areas where GPS signals are weak or lost. For iOS users, it's important to stay updated on any announcements regarding the availability of this feature on their devices.
Smartphones equipped with Bluetooth, when used with Google Maps, can leverage the Bluetooth Beacons feature for accurate navigation inside tunnels or parking garages. This cutting-edge technology, often paired with gadgets like Bluetooth beacons, demonstrates the continual advancement of navigation using technology.
