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Google recently introduced a “Power Saving Mode” for Google Maps that uses a simplified black‑and‑white layout to extend battery life.
The mode removes most of the map’s usual colours, labels, and features, leaving only essential navigation cues such as the next turn, remaining distance, and estimated arrival time.
This feature is currently available only to users of Google Pixel 10 series devices; other phones do not yet support this update.
Google Maps has been a primary navigation tool for millions of people all around the world, providing real-time directions, traffic updates, and detailed map views. With each update, travelling in the app becomes more efficient and comfortable. The November 2025 ‘Feature Drop’, for example, simplifies the app interface when activated during driving navigation.
Among these updates is the new Power Saving Mode, which may surprise some users by switching the familiar colourful interface to a black-and-white, simplified view. While this helps extend battery life during long drives, it might be restrictive for those who want full map details.
Also Read: How does Google Maps Provide The Best Travel Experience?
The new Power Saving mode switches the screen to a monochrome, stripped‑down layout. Only core information, such as the upcoming turn, remaining route details, and estimated time of arrival, appears. All other elements, including street and place labels, traffic overlays, speed readouts, and floating buttons, are removed.
When Power Saving Mode is enabled, the map loses its usual colour and detail. This happens as Google wants to reduce screen and battery usage by switching to a low‑power ‘Always-On Display (AOD)’ layout. On OLED displays, black pixels consume less power, which helps prolong battery life during long drives.
As the mode is auto-enabled for eligible devices, some Pixel 10 users may find Google Maps stuck in black & white without realizing it.
If the black‑and‑white interface is undesirable, Power Saving Mode can be disabled. On a Pixel 10 phone, open Google Maps, tap the profile icon, go to Settings, Navigation, then select Driving options, and toggle ‘Power saving mode’ off.
After turning off this option, Google Maps returns to its normal full‑colour interface, showing full map details including street names, traffic overlays, and other navigation layers.
Before this update, Google Maps always used a full‑colour, feature‑rich interface during navigation. The new Power Saving Mode provides a useful option for long drives or low‑battery situations, extending usage time by up to four hours, according to Google’s tests.
For users seeking full navigation detail, street labels, traffic info, and maps layers, switching off the mode restores the familiar experience. For those prioritising battery life over visuals, the simplified mode is a helpful choice.
Also Read: Google Maps Gets a Vision Upgrade, Polestar 4 Debuts Live Lane Guidance
The addition of Power Saving Mode in Google Maps offers an effective balance between battery efficiency and navigation functionality. Users now have the flexibility to choose between a streamlined, low-power interface and the full-colour, feature-rich experience they are accustomed to.
For Pixel 10 owners, this update represents a thoughtful enhancement, especially for long drives or low-battery situations. By easily toggling the mode on or off, users can restore full map colours and details, ensuring navigation remains both efficient and visually clear.
1. How do I turn off black mode on Google Maps?
Scroll to “Map display.” Under Color scheme, tap ‘Day’ to disable dark theme in Maps, regardless of system settings.
2. How do I get Google Maps back to normal?
Click the question mark in a gray speech bubble on the bottom right of the map. You'll see this dialog that provides help. At the bottom, there's an option to Return to classic Google Maps. Click it.
3. Why is Google Maps just showing a black screen?
If you change the rendering (move the map or zoom in and out), you may clear it. If not, do it again. Each re-render has a 25% chance of producing a black screen.
4. Does battery saver cause a Google Maps black screen?
When you enable navigation and configure a route, you can now press the lock button on your Google Pixel 10 phone to enter the new power-saving mode. You should see the screen go black, with the simplified Google Maps UI now enabled.
5. Why is my Google map stuck?
On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app. Tap Apps & notifications. Follow the steps on your device to find the Maps app. After you select the app, storage & cache options should be available.
