I'm not liking the new side-panel view for Maps on my Tablet 😕

[DaveBooth]

Having recently updated Google Maps on my android Tablet, I was frustrated to see a new Side-panel view, similar to the Website view. Unfortunately, I hate it I’m aware I can get a fullscreen view of the map by tapping it or hitting “Explore” and the side panel disappears. However, there’s no way I can find to get the previous fullscreen view for that side panel for a location - Reviews / photos etc. It’s squashed into a narrow side strip !! I also know that tilting the tablet into Landscape view gives a little more of the strip to view but it’s still frustrating to not be able to see everything as before.

I’m guessing I know the answer, but … any way to get fullscreen for the side panel?

Cheers,

Dave

[iyudhi]

@DaveBooth I don’t have a tablet so I can’t test. But since this is more or a Maps app issue, while waiting to see if anyone here is able to confirm the issue / get a solution, you can also try asking the question in the official Google Maps Help Forum below

https://support.google.com/maps/community

[MortenCopenhagen]

It sure sounds like you have made all relevant considerations, @DaveBooth .

On Android there is a function called “soft tap” it removes all menus etc. You could try it, if you have not already done so

Cheers

Morten

[DaveBooth]

Hi @iyudhi

Thanks for that I must confess I wasn’t sure whether to post the question here as a “How to” sort it out or over on Maps forum. I’ll try there too, cheers.

[DaveBooth]

Hi @MortenCopenhagen

… I’m pretty familiar with android devices, but couldn’t find anything relating to “soft tap” in my settings nor on Google search? I’ll look again with variations of the phrase, but I think it’s a new (unwanted) view embedded in the Map app that’s providing a view as seen on websites.

[MortenCopenhagen]

@DaveBooth sorry, I don’t remember where I learned about soft touch. Could have been in a video.

Just try.

Cheers

Morten

[Amiran]

Hi @DaveBooth

I also experience this side panel when I change the orientation to horizontal on the phone.

Still haven’t found a solution to see again the info panel of a place fullscreen.

And I think by “Soft Tap” @MortenCopenhagen is mentioning the simple tap on the screen. In previous versions, it used to work but not anymore in recent versions. When I tap on the base map it shows the coordinate, like when we tap and hold in previous versions. So doesn’t work to hide this new side panel.

[DaveBooth]

Thanks @Amiran

Yes, you’re right … tapping doesn’t work No idea why this view has been set. No reason to have altered anything from the previous way. Hope it’s reverted. I sent (disgruntled) feedback.

[iyudhi]

@DaveBooth you’re more than welcome to post in either places

I just thought since you’re question was more Google Maps app related, posting on the Google Maps Help Forum will increase the chance of getting an answer your need, since the forum is monitored by Product Experts for Google Maps.

[DaveBooth]

@iyudhi

Thanks for your suggestion, as it seems I’m not alone on the issue. I posted on Maps forum and someone provided a link to another mentioning they have it too. Apparently it’s not the first time it’s happened …

Link here

Anyway - appreciate your time and input we’re now waiting for it to hopefully be reverted via updates

Thanks again,

Dave.

[TerryPG]

I am not a fan of it either @DaveBooth on my tablet, I was going to provide you with link to Google Support but I see you have already seen the problem there.

[Amiran]

Hi @DaveBooth

I found a simple trick to have the Maps view full screen! Although this is not as same and useful as before, it helps in most cases to see a clear screen.

Just search something through the search bar and after the result(s) appear, soft tap on the screen. Now, all those buttons and side panel will go away.

@MortenCopenhagen @TerryPG

[TerryPG]

Unfortunately @Amiran Both @DaveBooth and myself want to keep the left side (view of photos etc) as a full screen and not the map view as a full screen, the soft touch works to get the map as full screen but not the left side view of photos up, I think Dave Booth mentioned this in his original post.

[Amiran]

You’re right dear @TerryPG

This is also one important part of the post to see that side panel full screen.

[DaveBooth]

Thanks @Amiran

I’d found that a touch of the Map does collapse the side panel down, after all . However, clicking on the “My location” icon currently snaps your location to the right side of the screen instead of centrally (even with the panel view out of the way). Obviously this should not be located off-centre, so it’s got to be a quirk of the faulty view we’re currently experiencing.

Trying to look at location photos / reviews currently is frustrating to say the least.

For now as a work-around, I’m opening the Maps app Info / Settings ; clearing Data, and re-opening the app. Doesn’t take too long, and I can at least see everything as it should be (until I close & reopen it).

[Amiran]

Great @DaveBooth , Yes. Clearing data really works until the syncing is completed So, these workarounds help. However, we’re seeking for more personalized experience in this case.