Google Maps is missing media playback controls for YouTube Music and Spotify on Android after the deprecation of its “Assistant Driving Mode” feature earlier this year.
The removal of Driving Mode has left users without an easy way to access media playback controls. To fix this, users would tap “Show media playback controls” in settings, which extended the bottom sheet with options like album art and song name. This shortcut also allowed for quick switching between music apps.
However, since Google Maps 25.28 (stable) and 25.29 (beta), these controls have disappeared from the app. The “Show media playback controls” toggle and “Default media app” option are now lost in settings. It’s unclear whether this is a bug or an intentional removal, but it remains available on iOS.
The lack of media playback controls may be a concern for users who rely on Google Maps for navigation. Without these features, the app is less functional.
Source: https://9to5google.com/2025/07/19/google-maps-media-controls