New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…
Original story (published on August 23, 2021) follows:
Used by millions worldwide, Android Auto is an easy solution for people who want to use their smartphones while driving.
But ever since its release a few years ago, the app seems to be cursed by several bugs and glitches that ruin the overall user experience.
And at times, these bugs are really annoying to deal with. For example, last month, Android Auto users reported an issue with Google Maps that prevented them from fetching location-based results.
Now, another bug with Google Maps has surfaced online, with several user reports suggesting that the app suddenly changed vehicle layout from right-hand drive to left-hand drive.
This is causing a lot of confusion for users who use Android Auto and Google Maps daily since navigation directions have shifted on the screen.
Right now, it looks like there is no way to change the Android Auto Google Maps layout from right-hand drive to left-hand drive and vice versa.
Fortunately, Google has acknowledged the issue and says details have been forwarded to the developers.
However, the company did not give us an ETA on when the bug will be fixed.
As if that wasn’t frustrating enough, people who use Google Maps in Android Auto are also reporting that they are getting wrong roundabout directions.
This is really a serious issue since it can cause a traffic jam and chaos at a place that was specifically designed to prevent these things in the first place.
Luckily, the issue can be fixed by downgrading Google Maps to a previous version. Just make sure you have disabled automatic updates for the app else, it might automatically get updated.
The wrong roundabout directions bug while using Google Maps in Android Auto can have serious repercussions if it is not fixed in the coming days.
Like the other glitch, Google has acknowledged the issue and said the development team has been informed about the same.
We understand summer holidays are still here but some things cannot be left unchecked for too long, especially when issues like these have been reported for more than a month now.
We hope Google fixes both issues and other pending bugs in the coming days so users can use Android Auto to safely commute once again.
Update (September 24)
12:25 pm (IST): Google now says that Google Maps is optimized for right-hand drive vehicles in Android Auto. More on that here.
Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Android Auto Section so be sure to follow them as well.
Featured image source: Android Auto
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