Unlike most Google apps, Maps hasn’t seen a long list of Gemini feature additions. Except for a few behind-the-scenes integrations and last year’s Ask Maps, there aren’t many user-facing Gemini features in Google’s navigation app. However, this could change soon as the app plans to integrate Gemini into the browsing experience.
Looking through version 25.41.03.815390258 (beta) from Google Maps, Android Authority Successfully enabled the Gemini interface while browsing. Live, Gemini should be accessed by tapping the microphone in the upper right corner of the navigation interface.
Although the microphone icon remains unchanged from its existing version, tapping it displays the familiar Gemini sparkle icon while the chatbot listens to your commands. In addition to bringing Gemini to Google Maps navigation, this change will also mark the end of the road for Assistant.
An upgrade that makes sense
This is an important upgrade for Google Maps users, as Gemini is capable of doing more than just accepting simple commands. We also hope this will put an end to the repeated “Sorry, I didn’t understand” response you get with the existing Assistant-based browsing experience.
Another obvious benefit of integrating Gemini into the browsing experience will be the chatbot’s ability to answer a wider range of questions. It’s worth remembering that this is an early visual of the Gemini’s navigation capabilities, and the final version may look and feel different.
When this feature goes live, Gemini should (in theory at least) be able to add a stop at the nearest gas station or restaurant available to you, while also providing historical information about the places you see on your travels.
In addition to this visual change, the Google Maps navigation settings page also has a dedicated “Gemini” option, accompanied by text that reads “Manage settings for Gemini, your AI assistant“.
Android Authority notes that tapping this particular page redirects users to the Gemini app for managing settings. This page will effectively replace the existing “Ok Google detection” menu in the navigation settings of the Maps application.
Since this Gemini integration required manual activation by digging into the app code, no one knows when Google will roll it out to the general public.
The “Ask Maps” chip under development in Google Maps
Separately, Android Authority also spotted an “Ask Maps” chip in development just below the search bar on the app’s home page. This would unlock the conventional Gemini experience in the navigation app, without the tools available on the standalone app (Gemini Live, image generation and others).
Based on these developments, it appears that Google Maps wants to compensate for the relatively slow rollout of Gemini features in Maps by releasing a few on the bounce.
