If you rely on Google Maps and Android Auto to get around, you may have noticed that the app has a habit of loading in dark mode, regardless of your phone’s actual settings. If this got on your nerves, you’re in luck, as a new update has fixed the problem.
As noted by Autoevolution (opens in a new tab), this fix was quietly released as part of Google Maps 11.35.1. The site also noted that an official thread, in which users had discussed the problem, has now been removed, suggesting that Google knows the problem is gone.
The change means that Google Maps and Android Auto won’t ignore your phone’s settings and force you to start with a dark map screen. Now, the only time you’ll find yourself in that situation is if you decide you want to be.
It’s understandable why dark mode might not be to your taste. A darker version of the map is very useful at night, when a dazzling white screen will be a distraction, but not that great during the day. It can be more difficult to read the map and the last thing you should do while driving is stare at your car’s screen instead of the road ahead.
If you have encountered this problem, you need to go to Google Play (opens in a new tab) and install the latest Google Maps update. If it’s not available, you’ll just have to wait a few more days for it to roll out again.
If you’re still struggling with the wrong screen design in Google Maps, you’ll need to dive into the app’s settings. From the settings menu, go to Navigation settings, and scroll down until you see the Map display section.
The Combination of colors option gives you three choices: Automatic, Day and Night. Automatically switches between light and dark modes based on your car’s headlights on and off, so you always have the right mode for the conditions.
Selecting Day or Night locks you into a single theme and with this new update it should stay that way until you go back into the settings to change it.
Note that this only changes the lighting mode when navigating. The general map color settings are in Theme main settings menu section. Here you have the option to set Maps to light mode, dark mode, or whatever mode your phone is set to.