Google announced “visible directions” for Google Maps on Android and iOS last February. In this regard, a new setting called “Visible directions during navigation” is now available.
Android/iOS: have you found this new feature on your Google Maps?
With directions visible, Google Maps will show you where to turn and a real-time ETA right on your device's lock screen. The Android application will use normal system notifications, while Google Maps on the iPhone will use the famous Live Activities.
Visible directions also work on the route overview screen that appears after starting directions but before tapping “Start.” Google Maps will show directions, provide real-time ETA, and automatically update your route if you take a different route, as seen in the sequence below.
After providing details last February, Google announced in June that visible directions were being rolled out globally that month for walking, cycling and driving modes on Android and iOS. However, we still don't see Live Activities on iOS.
Google Maps users on version 11.116 for Android and 6.104.2 for iOS are now seeing the “Visible Directions While Navigating” option at the bottom of Settings > Navigation Settings: “See updated ETAs and your next turn, directly from your route overview or lock screen. Navigation data will be collected to improve Google Maps for everyone.”
However, this option is disabled by default and does not appear in the older versions of the application that we checked.
When the “Directions visible during navigation” option is deactivated, you only get a blue dot that marks your location. If activated, it turns into an arrow that indicates the path to follow. Normally, this arrow only appears when navigation has completely started.
Meanwhile, Google signals the activation/deactivation of this feature directly on the itinerary overview screen with a message bubble. In fact, tapping the blue dot/arrow allows you to quickly activate/deactivate from the “Your Location” sheet.