Make Google Maps Android full screen (without overlays)

Topic

New Reply

This is a Google Maps on Android question. We have a Pixel 3a on Android 12 and a Pixel 3a XL on Android 11 (because of a lot of blowback from folks who upgraded to 12 and wish they hadn’t). This problem happens on both phones.

Google Maps always opens on our phones with a screen full of header and footer overlays (see attached screen shot).

It used to be that a single quick tap anywhere on the screen would get rid of all those overlays and take us to a full screen.

That no longer is the case. No matter how quick or slow the tap is Maps plants a pin, fills what used to be the search box with the location coordinates for the pin, and slides up a large footer with info and additional links about what is under the pin.

There seems to be no way to get rid of all these overlays to get a full screen of the map only, without any overlays. This leaves only a very small portion of the screen unobstructed which is quite frustrating.

A Google search shows this is a common problem with no apparent solution that works for anyone who has it except to wait for some update to Maps that might fix it.

Has anyone else run into this problem and found a fix?

Thanks!

Reply | Quote

Replies

Same with Android 13.

1 user thanked author for this post.

opti1

Reply | Quote

Same with iOS 16.4

1 user thanked author for this post.

opti1

Reply | Quote

I found a way to do it. Note: This was using Android 13, Maps version 11.70.0304, Pixel 6a.

All you have to do is open maps, place your finger on the search bar and slide up.

Mike

4 users thanked author for this post.

wavy, opti1, b, Alex5723

Reply | Quote

Oh, WOW. You are right! It works for me too on Pixel 3a XL with Android 11 and Maps version 11.70.0304. Thank you SO much. I’ve been trying for months to find a solution for this.

Why doesn’t Google document this? Why do none of those ’26 Things You Can Do With Google Maps That You Don’t Know About’ mention this?

On my phone it’s a bit hit or miss on whether the overlays slide off the screen leaving just the map, or the map under the overlays goes shooting up off the screen while the overlays stay in place. But it’s definitely better than what I had before.

Thanks again!

 

Reply | Quote

I (the OP) am back because this problem as described in my original post at the top also is back again. It came back a couple of days ago after Google Maps updated to version 11.143.0305. I haven’t been able to find a fix to get rid of the header and footer overlays and it’s very frustrating. I’m now using a Pixel 7a with Android 14.

I’ve Google searched and searched the Google Maps community but haven’t found any fix or even any other post that mentions this is happening to anyone else.

Is anyone else here experiencing this same problem?

Thanks.

Reply | Quote

I get a full screen on iOS (version 6.131.0) after selecting destination

like : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9PTNTSpGJs

Reply | Quote

@Alex5723 –

The version of Maps you are using on iOS (version 6.131.0) is wildly different from the latest version I am using on Android 14 (11.143.0305).

By the way, that YouTube link you included points to a long video titled “[4K FULL HD] Relaxing Water Background | 1 HOUR | Calm Water Wallpaper (No Sound)” . . .

But thanks for responding.

Reply | Quote

opti1 wrote:

By the way, that YouTube link you included points to a long video titled “[4K FULL HD] Relaxing Water Background | 1 HOUR | Calm Water Wallpaper (No Sound)” . . .

Sorry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlt0Z0P4et8

Reply | Quote

Same problem! I FIXED mine!!!! YAY
Turn ON incognito mode.
Worked for me.
Now I can swipe that crap away (unless im looking for a hotel or restaurant)

Reply | Quote

Thanks for responding.

Interesting. That doesn’t work for me, fully updated Android 14 on a Pixel 7a, Google Maps v11.150.0100. I’m still not able to get rid of those pills that obscure so much of the screen.

Reply | Quote

Same problem.  My cure was tap once to set a pin, then swipe up on the address bar

Reply | Quote

Thanks for responding.

That doesn’t work for me either. I put a pin on the map, swipe up on the address bar and the whole underlying map shoots up the screen with pills still sitting where they were. Very frustrating.

I’m on fully updated Android 14 on a Pixel 7a, Google Maps v11.150.0100. I’m still not able to get rid of those pills that obscure so much of the screen.

Reply | Quote