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Google Maps is one of the most convenient apps, and we use it so much that it's easy to ignore or overlook some of its more frustrating aspects. A prime example is all the autoplaying videos when you look up a restaurant in Maps, then click through to the results. Here's how to put the brakes on those videos.
You might be so used to this interaction that you don't even realize it's happening anymore. But if you search for a store, restaurant, or destination on Google Maps, it almost always starts playing a video of said location once you find it.
During a search in Maps, you'll see the location, reviews, hours, and related details, but below all that, it'll instantly start playing any available videos in the gallery. I don't need to see those videos, and I don't necessarily need the images, either. When I'm in my car looking something up on Maps, the last thing I want is a video that interrupts my music/podcast or starts playing on its own. Let's get rid of it.
How to stop Google Maps autoplaying videos
Eliminate distractions and focus on what matters
There are several benefits and helpful features or gestures in Google Maps, but the application isn't without its cons. There are several reasons I primarily use Waze for driving and navigation, and Google Maps for when I'm visiting a new location. Whether that's for better directions, hazard alerts, and other situations.
However, when I do use Google Maps, I'm quickly reminded of all the things that frustrate me a bit. One of those is the autoplaying videos in a Google Maps search result.
To turn them off, open Google Maps and tap your profile photo icon in the top-right corner. From here, scroll down and select Settings > App and display > Autoplay video previews and switch this setting to Off. Additionally, there's a third option where Google Maps will only autoplay video on Wi-Fi, like when you're at home and not in the car, and that's my preferred setting here.
I'm OK with Google Maps automatically playing videos, just not when I'm in the car or busy doing this while out and about. Once you toggle it off, those videos will simply show a Play button, and you'll have to manually select each clip, which is a vastly better experience in a vehicle.
And if you're using a device with a smaller screen, those autoplaying videos can be a real distraction, not to mention take up a ton of important screen real estate. So, go ahead and turn 'em off.
Furthermore, I'd actually love for Google to give us the option to completely hide photos and videos inside Google Maps. While they're certainly helpful in some situations, I'm usually just looking for an address or checking street view. If I'm actually looking up reviews and want to see photos, there should be a drop-down button for viewing, to save space and let users focus on what matters.
Google Maps is good, but it's not perfect
A few other improvements
Google Maps has a lot to offer, but it could certainly be better in a few areas. I still prefer Waze for directions and traffic avoidance, not to mention that Google Maps often defaults to the slowest route unless you change a few settings. That's silly.
I've also disabled the automatic dark and light themes, made it less chatty by cutting down all the talk to alerts only, and mastered a bunch of voice commands to help keep my hands on the wheel and my eyes on the road.
A better Google Maps experience
Basically, apps like Google Maps are great, but making a few small tweaks or adjustments in the settings menu can go a long way to delivering the perfect experience for you. That's what makes Android, and many of its apps, great: the customization. By letting me choose to disable videos, turn on dark mode 24/7, and adjust a bunch of controls and settings, the app works the way I want. It's a win-win.
So, the next time you go to search for something in Maps and get frustrated by the video playing over your music in the car or your headphones, head into settings and turn them off for good. You'll be glad you did.
