Google Maps Loses Two Tabs Out of Five in Bottom Bar Redesign

Google Maps is rolling out a redesigned bottom bar to iPhones that aims to give the app a less cluttered look by reducing the number of tabs on the screen.

google maps ui change

Old Google Maps bottom bar (left) vs. new one

Previously only on Android, the new bottom bar reduces the number of tabs from five to three. As spotted by 9to5Google, "Go" has been removed, but users can still access it using a new "You" middle tab, via a new "Saved trips" section therein.

"You" was previously called "Saved," and retains the same bookmark icon. But tapping it takes you to an updated page with new top tabs for "Notifications" and "Messages," both of which serve content that was previously found in the "Updates" tab, now removed. That leaves "Contribute" as the last tab of the three on the main maps screen.

The rollout is occurring in version 6.129.1 of Google Maps. If you've updated and don't see the new bottom bar, try force-quitting the app via the app switcher screen and then re-open it, which worked for us.

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Top Rated Comments

hagar Avatar
18 months ago
You see a lot of apps following this trend. Not happy about it. I prefer quick access from the bottom toolbar.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Deine Mudda Avatar
18 months ago
Apple Maps > Google Maps
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gleepskip Avatar
18 months ago

I don't think so, apple maps missing way to add photos of places you visited, also you can't see real images of streets and world around. I use it a lot when I am planning trips to look around of my destination.
This is Apple Maps at street level

Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
d5aqoëp Avatar
18 months ago
I expected Google Maps to use AI to generate some random Made-up maps and pretend to take me there. Then they can remove every single option in that app including the maps itself. That's the bleak future we are headed at right?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Deine Mudda Avatar
18 months ago

I don't think so, apple maps missing way to add photos of places you visited, also you can't see real images of streets and world around. I use it a lot when I am planning trips to look around of my destination. They don't even had browser version, how is it better in any way ? :D
It’s not Google, therefore privacy and data security is better in every way.
Plus the navigation is excellent.
I would never use a Google service in my life ever again.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
marcoago Avatar
18 months ago

They don't even had browser version, how is it better in any way ? :D
https://beta.maps.apple.com/
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)