After the updates for Android in July, Google Maps is now introducing a new sheet-based layout that does away with the majority of fullscreen interfaces in the iPhone application.
When you first access the map, you’ll see that all the bottom sheets in the app now have more rounded corners. By tapping on a place listing and dragging it up completely, the map remains visible at the top, just behind the status bar. This sliver of the map helps maintain context as you explore different sections of the app.
Another significant usability change is that you no longer dismiss listings by pressing a back button located on the left side of the search bar. Instead, there’s a new ‘x’ positioned in the upper right corner of the sheet, adjacent to the share shortcut, while the search feature has been eliminated. This redesign should improve accessibility for one-handed use and aligns with the user experience found in Apple Maps.
Old (Android) vs. new (iOS)
Additionally, Google Maps has revamped the directions interface after selecting the floating action button. The initial screen where you enter a destination remains unchanged and continues to occupy the fullscreen.
However, once a destination is inputted, the top of the screen displays only the start and end locations in a floating rectangle. The transportation mode switcher has now been relocated to the bottom for enhanced accessibility.
This update was broadly rolled out on Android in July, and we are now witnessing this sheet redesign in Google Maps for iPhone with version 25.10.2 released today.
