Google Maps Update: Never Lose GPS Again with New Power-Saving Mode! Learn How to Activate It.

Google has begun rolling out a new power-saving mode for Maps on Pixel 10 smartphones. The objective? To extend your battery life during navigation with a (very) minimalist interface. Here’s how to enable it.

It can be quite frustrating when your smartphone is about to die while it’s being used as a GPS. This is especially true considering that step-by-step navigation consumes a lot of power as it continuously uses GPS, mobile data, and requires the screen to be on throughout the journey.

Last month, we informed you that Google was developing a power-saving mode for Google Maps: this feature aims to reduce screen impact on battery life with a minimalist interface that displays only essential information, such as your next turn. Now, the tech giant is starting to deploy this on Pixel 10 devices, following its announcement at the November Pixel Drop.

Also read: Google Maps introduces four new features that will completely change how you use the app, and you’re going to love them

Google Maps Launches Power-Saving Mode on Pixel 10

The power-saving mode in Maps utilizes a unique Android feature: Always-On Display (AOD) Min Mode. This allows the app to run on an always-on display while using minimal energy: the interface is in black and white, with reduced brightness and refresh rates. As highlighted by our colleagues at Android Authority, this is particularly effective on an OLED screen, where black is achieved by turning off pixels.

According to Google, this mode can extend the Pixel 10’s battery life by up to four hours for navigation. However, it only supports driving mode and portrait orientation. Here’s how you can activate it:

• Open Google Maps, then go to Settings
• Select Navigation

• Click on Driving options
• Choose the Power-saving mode

When you request a car route, a pop-up window might also appear to introduce the feature: clicking on Learn more will take you directly to the dedicated settings page. To activate it during navigation, simply press the power button to turn off the screen: your route will continue on the locked screen in power-saving mode. To exit this mode, you just need to touch the screen or press the power button again.

For now, this low-consumption navigation mode is exclusive to the Pixel 10, and it is unclear whether Google plans to extend this feature to its previous models or other Android smartphones.