If you’ve found your daily drive without tunes all of a sudden, you are not alone. Android users across the globe have been scratching their heads as Google Maps mysteriously loses media playback controls for YouTube Music and Spotify, sparking curiosity and some frustration.

A Sudden Absence

The journey started when Google quietly deprecated Assistant Driving Mode earlier this year. At the time, seamless media playback was still possible courtesy of the “Show media playback controls” feature. But alas, this too has disappeared as of the recent 25.28 and 25.29 updates of Google Maps, leaving users without the familiar music toggles during navigation.

Previously, users could rely on an extended bottom sheet within the navigation app that neatly packaged album art, song name, and playback controls into the journey experience. A tap of the “Browse” button swiftly transported users to nine curated suggestions, enhancing the on-the-go music experience and even offering a quick exit to “Open YouTube Music.”

These enhancements, it would seem, have been yanked, seemingly without warning, leaving some users pressing their screens in vain hopes of wedging back their favorite soundtracks into their routes.

iOS Users Still in the Groove

Interestingly, as Android aficionados adjust to this unintended quiet, iOS users continue to enjoy the feature. This raises the probability of a bug rather than a deliberate feature retirement, keeping hope alive for Android enthusiasts yearning for its return.

What’s Next for Google Maps?

While the Android community speculates, and digital roads are eerily silent without tunes, Google Maps continues its evolution journey. From Rivian’s new navigation system to Garmin smartwatches boasting an official Google Maps app, innovation is indeed in the air.

As stated in 9to5Google, Google Maps certainly aims to navigate these challenges and extend robust services to its vast user base. Only time will tell if this detour is a temporary blip or a sign of times yet to play out.

Stay tuned to see if Google maps a way to bring back the beats.