Using your mobile browser to get from one place to another is incredibly convenient, but we all know that Google Maps can drain your battery As soon as the route gets longer, Google is preparing a new feature designed precisely for that critical moment when there's little battery left and you still have to follow the directions to your destination.
Clear clues have been found in the code of the latest beta version of the Android app. New energy-saving mode with black and white designThe feature is still under development, according to Android Authority, so there's no public release schedule, but it already hints at how it aims to reduce power consumption without sacrificing essential features.
What changes with this mode?
The application switches to a very understated monochromatic look: black background, gray streets, and the route in whiteThe idea is not to make it pretty, but to cut down as much as possible on unnecessary features so that the phone uses less energy while we continue our journey.
During navigation, the top bar with the indications of the next turnAt the bottom, you'll find practical information: total time, distance, and estimated time of arrival. All of this is displayed with fewer elements on the screen, avoiding distractions and extra battery drain.
Minimal interface: what disappears and what remains
Most of the usual checks are nowhere to be seen: The Report buttons, compass, search engine, and sound control disappear.The goal is clear: less screen drawing and less processing.
What is not lost are the voice promptswhich continue to guide every maneuver. For those driving with their phone in a holder, this helps reduce reliance on their vision and contributes to the overall fuel savings that the mode boasts.
Activation and known limitations
The code points to a quick activation: Simply press the power button from the mobile device while navigation is in progress. For now, there doesn't appear to be a visible switch in the interface, although this could change when the feature is released.
There is one important restriction: the mode works only in vertical orientationIf you usually use Google Maps in landscape mode, you'll have to wait and see if compatibility is expanded later.
Supported travel modes
This energy saving isn't limited to the car: support also appears for two-wheeled vehicles and walking routesIn these latter cases there is a curious detail, because the walking route can be shown with the familiar blue dots, slightly breaking the black and white aesthetic.
It is worth remembering that we are dealing with a function under development; The details could be adjusted before its final rollout, but Google's intention is clear: to keep only what's essential to get there without draining the battery.
Why does it save battery compared to dark mode?
This visual reduction, combined with the simplification of the interface, This should translate into lower energy expenditure. When the route is long or we don't have a charger handy. It's not the most visually appealing mode, but it gets the job done, lasting until the destination.
Availability in Spain and Europe
There's no confirmed date yet. It will most likely arrive first in Android users through an update from Google Maps and, perhaps, with server-side activation. In Spain and the rest of Europe, it could be rolled out in phases, as Google usually does with new features.
Obvious recommendation: keep the app updated on Google Play and, when it appears, Try it on your usual commutes (driving, cycling or walking) to check the real impact on phone battery life.
The arrival of a black and white power-saving mode for Google Maps points to a pragmatic solution for those trips where the battery is running low: minimal interfaceEssential data, quick activation, and support for various journey types are available, pending confirmation of its launch by Google.
