Mar 27, 2019

How can I get the compass back for navigation?

I noticed that the compass is completely gone when I'm using Google Maps navigation! Now there's no way to tell what direction I'm driving in. The only related option in Navigation Settings that I could see was to have the map North up at all times but I hate driving like that. There used to be a compass icon that would show you what direction you were driving in at all times. How do I get that back??

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Directions and Navigation,Android

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Last edited May 18, 2019

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barryhunter

Platinum Product Expert

May 22, 2019

Note posting comments here probably won't help. Google isn't reading this thread!

Use the 'Feedback' tool in Google Maps itself!

Last edited May 26, 2019

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barryhunter

Platinum Product Expert

May 4, 2019

Just happened across a potential 'workaround'.

Use: Navigation for Google Maps Go

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.navlite

Its a 'light' version of Navigation for use with Google Maps Go.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.mapslite

... it still has the compass*, and the side benefit of less other clutter found in normal Google Maps.

which can toggle first person and top down, on the fly by tapping it.

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Andrew Sawyer

Product Expert Alumni

Maps Expert, Security Professional, Disaster Ops

Mar 27, 2019

Unfortunately there is no good way to do what you ask. You can Submit Feedback / Your Opinion about Maps yo suggest the developers return the feature. You can view the compass when browsing the map. That would be tricky to pull off safely while driving but you can still use the compass just not as well.

Last edited May 21, 2019

Original Poster Esther Kim marked this as an answer

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All Replies (56)

Andrew Sawyer

Product Expert Alumni

Maps Expert, Security Professional, Disaster Ops

Recommended Answer

Mar 27, 2019

Last edited May 21, 2019

Original Poster Esther Kim marked this as an answer

User 6877849958125850951

Sep 29, 2019

Of course a compass on a map is mandatory, and whoever decided to hide it permanently, on a navigation app used by millions, should be fired. I had to dig into options to bring back the driving view, which before was just a tap on the compass, and allowed easily to alternate both views. If you look for alternatives, try Magic Earth, it's very good!

it's borked

Oct 7, 2019

Fire the jerk that made a voice say "head West and..." And then took away the thing that tells you which way is what. If I knew where I was, I wouldn't use a navigation app. I'm trying MapQuest. They were one of the originals, still have an app AND it has a compass. Also sent a feedback in Maps to Google and linked this thread.

Davis Gilewski

Nov 16, 2019

Bring the compass back!!!

Scott Strimple

Nov 23, 2019

Bring the compass back.

Tony An

Dec 12, 2019

Please bring the compass back

Jimmy Bailey 102

Dec 22, 2019

326laurelavecomerga

R L Jones

Dec 28, 2019

This is a deal breaker. Bring the compass back.

Robert Blom 9307

Jan 7, 2020

I'm lost which way is north? Who ever looked at a map without being aware of direction? Go to Waze.

David DiVecchio

Feb 14, 2020

we need the compass, please!

storm vaske

Feb 17, 2020

The worlds most advanced consumer navigation app with no compass...

EB B

Feb 20, 2020

How does a navigation app not have a compass at all times!? Bring it back please.

zina townley

Feb 28, 2020

Duh. Google. Maps have had a NSEW indicator for centuries. Most of the population is still savvy enough for them to matter. I'm sorry your hipster engineers don't understand them. That just makes me really concerned about the future of b humanity when we lose basic human knowledge. In words maybe your hipster engineers can understand: Google, today you made me sad.