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Google Maps finally received the one feature that was missing from the mobile app

Updated Sep 20th, 2021 12:17PM EDT
Google Maps Features
Image: Valentin Wolf/imageBROKER/Shutterstock

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Google released a couple of amazing Google Maps features in the past few weeks alone, including AR navigation support that rolled out to Android and iPhone, as well as a smarter way to plan your commute. And Google isn’t done fine-tuning its navigation app, as the company has finally brought to mobile the one feature that was still missing in action.

Available only on Android for the time being, which is the natural home of Google Maps, of course, is a Street View layer. Street View is one of the best features of Google Maps on desktop, allowing you to visualize the places you’re traveling to for the first time. And you can quickly move between Street View and regular Maps view on the web version of the app, something that wasn’t exactly possible on the mobile app.

A standalone Street View app is also available, but it’s a lot more convenient to have it all into a single app.

Image source: Android Police

As seen in the screenshots above, via Android Police, the Street View layer is clearly visible, and it’s very easy to switch back and forth between the default and Street View version of the map.

Press the layer, and the map that’s in view will immediately highlight in blue all the roads and areas where Google’s cameras have been used to take 360-degree snaps. It’s just like the desktop experience, but you’ll have to tap on the location that you want to inspect rather than dragging anything on the screen.

The feature has started rolling out on Android, and it’ll probably find its way to iPhone in the future.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.