Fan Favorite ‘Compass’ coming back to Google Maps

By Rahul Vaimal, Associate Editor
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Google Maps
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Global tech giant Google is all set to re-introduce the hugely popular compass widget within Maps on Android devices.

In an official support thread, Google announced that it has decided to bring back the compass due to “overwhelming support” for the feature.

Google Maps with Compass
Google Maps App on Android with Compass Widget

“We are excited to announce the return of the compass on Maps for Android. The compass was removed from Maps for Android in early 2019 in an effort to clean up the Navigation screen but due to overwhelming support it’s back,” the tech giant responded.

“When you use Maps on Android to navigate to a destination, the compass will, again, be featured as one of the widgets on the right side of the screen. As you rotate, the red arrow will indicate which direction is north,” the official support thread said.

The reintroduced feature will be available for all Android users across the globe who have updated to version 10.62. Meanwhile, for Google Maps users on iOS, the feature will remain intact as it was always since its introduction to the app.

Google has earlier removed the little floating compass widget as part of its “effort to clean up the Navigation screen.”

Google Maps rolled out the dark theme on its Android app for users around the globe last month. The dark mode features a super-dark shade of grey for the map background. The street names come in a lighter shade of grey, allowing users to easily spot the important landmarks and roads.

Related: Google to limit apps from accessing installed app list on Android

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