Recently, Android users experienced a troubling disappearance of a key feature in Google Maps that many found exceptionally useful. This feature allows users to quickly locate gas stations, particularly necessary when your fuel gauge is approaching empty or when a restroom is urgently needed. By simply typing “Gas” into the Google Maps search bar on either Android or iOS devices, users can view nearby gas stations along with crucial details like prices and operational status.
When you tap on a station’s icon, a pop-up provides its name, distance, and even pictures, along with a button for turn-by-turn navigation. This fast access can be invaluable during stressful moments when drivers are focused on empty gas tanks or urgent bathroom needs. However, last week, some Android users noted that this feature seemed to have vanished.
Reports on Reddit indicated that while iOS users retained access to gas prices, Android users found the feature absent entirely. This raised confusion, with some proposing that it might be linked to the latest version of Google Maps. In reality, the feature is controlled on Google’s server end, meaning it shouldn’t be affected by the app version, leading to speculation about whether its removal was intentional or a temporary bug.
Fortunately, just 12 hours after the issue was reported, the gas feature returned for most users. It appears this was a short-lived glitch rather than a permanent change. Nevertheless, if such an outage occurs again, drivers may want to consider using dedicated apps like GasBuddy.
This app, available for both Android and iOS, can effectively assist in finding the nearest gas stations, ensuring users don’t find themselves stranded. If the feature disappears again on your device, sharing your experience in the comments could also provide valuable insights to others facing the same issue.