There are multiple routes to update photos and videos on maps.
For some of us that upload frequently, ease of upload is critical.
Many people start from maps, search for the location and upload from the relevant folder the selected media.
I always prefered to use the geo tagging (GPS coordinates) taken on media (Android user) and from the media gallery use the “share” option with maps.
This used to open the google maps application, pass the media details and the geo location, invoking map application search and propose the closest/popular places closest to the location based on GPS.
While not always perfect in proposing the correct place, correction is quick and most importantly is saves few extra clicks.
IMO, is the fastest way to upload - direct from mobile.
Sadly, the functionality seem to have been broken since last week.
You can share but map application would simply open up without any indication of anything shared.
I thought it was my many shares or specific mobile problem but I tested on multiple mobiles and still got the same result. If anyone is using the same upload method, I’d appreciate if they can confirm my pain.
I can still upload from within maps after manual search but it is a slower process.
@abermans Me too. I’m so glad you posted this as I thought it was just me experiencing this. In the past- from my mobile Android phone, as my photos are automatically geotagged, I could just click a photo and click Share to Google Maps App from the photo gallery, and then Maps would suggest a location. This was truly a timesaver. Now, when I click Share - it just opens up the Google Maps home page of the mobile app instead of populating a location.
I notice now I’m also unable to do that and have to instead go to Maps to manually search the Location and then upload the photos from there. Super weird.
How about you @Rednewt74 my friend? Do you see this bug too?
Troubleshooting I’ve done so far:
I’ve already made sure Maps was updated on the Google Play store, location is On on my phone, and I double checked geotagging is working on my photos as they all have a location attached.
I’ve also restarted my phone and also turned location permissions off and then back on. So far no luck yet. Hopefully it will resolve or maybe someone else has found a workaround.
I did some checking of photographs both that I had and had not uploaded to maps, and I am not having any issue with them being pinned to the correct place (or at least close). I have to say I rarely use this technique to upload photos. I tend to go through and get all my edits and adjustments made and then search for the locations. Usually they are in my recent suggestions so it’s not too hard to do. I’ll have to give this method a try and see how I like it. I hope this gets resolved for you and @abermans .
Is Maps still asking you to post recent photos? Wouldn’t that be based on them having the Geo tag on them?
Thank you @Rednewt74 for letting us know, you are always so helpful! So far, I don’t see the option where Maps is asking to post recent photos and I believe that is because I have backup turned off on Google Photos. I read somewhere a while back that backup must be turned on for that to happen (I could be wrong). Yes, my friend- I’ll keep you posted- hopefully the bug resolves soon.
@abermans We are twins since it looks like you and I both usually have a high volume of photos to post. Good point on it most likely being the API. For now, I also cross-posted our issue in the Google Maps support forum below. Maybe more users on there will echo the bug we are seeing so we can see if it’s something more widespread, and also this way- it will give more visibility to this potential issue.
Workaround I’m using for now is going to the Google Maps app and then from the Contribute Tab, I tap on “View your profile.” From there, next to the Photos header, I tap on Add Photos and then it pops up with photos. I select a photo and from there, a list of suggested locations pop up when you tap on “Select a Location”. I find this to be a bit easier than that other manual way you and I were doing it where we manually searched the location and added it.
I think Google removed this possibility because it was (unfortunately) widely abused to add photos to addresses and coordinates, even if it is forbidden by the rules.
The closest option for adding photos in an easy way is to start from the “contribute” tab of your profile and to select “add photos and videos”
“To get suggestions for photos or videos to add to Google Maps, make sure you have the Google Photos app installed with back up & sync and Location History turned on. To remove a suggestion, tap Clear.”
@ErmesT
Surely google could have found better way to block photos uploads to sites and addresses if that was the issue - seems like a simple feature to have for addresses that needs blocking or one is owning the location and have controlling feature for blocking external uploads.
Thanks for the offer of Google photos - Sadly, it is not one of my favorite tools (I don’t like any automated cloud storage - I am perfectly find of controlling my backup and prefer that to the risk of someone cracking my cloud storage) so adopting it just for photo upload is an overkill, specially as most of the times the first location identified is off (and others in the vicinity are not offered).
I hope they will fix the issue otherwise share with maps which does passes anything, is not a share feature.
It’s not the end of the world just (for me) it’s slowing the upload process.
This is awesome @abermans ! I just tried it and looks like it’s back yayayayy! I agree, such a timesaver. I will share it on the post I made on the Google Maps support forum as well that it’s been fixed. Woohoo.
You are the best and thanks for sharing this awesome news!
I’m so glad you posted this as I thought it was just me experiencing this. In the past- from my mobile Android phone, as my photos are automatically geotagged, I could just click a photo and click Share to Google Maps App from the photo gallery, and then Maps would suggest a location. This was truly a timesaver. Now, when I click Share - it just opens up the Google Maps home page of the mobile app instead of populating a location.
