If you’re a regular user of Google Maps for navigation, you may have noticed the gradual rollout of the ‘3D buildings’ feature for drivers. This immersive feature provides a more realistic visual experience by displaying lifelike buildings during your route. While the 3D buildings layer has been available in the app for some time, it has recently been integrated into the navigation mode, making it even more useful for drivers exploring unfamiliar cities.
For Android users, the full rollout of the 3D buildings feature has now taken place, accompanied by seamless integration with Android Auto in beta version 125 of Google Maps. This integration ensures that any changes you make to the 3D buildings setting on your phone will be reflected in Android Auto, eliminating the need for separate adjustments on your in-car display.
To activate the 3D buildings feature and enjoy a more immersive navigation experience, here’s how you can enable it on both Android and iOS devices.
How to Enable 3D Buildings on Android and iOS
If you haven’t yet come across the 3D buildings feature or if it’s not enabled by default, you can follow these steps to turn it on:
1. Access Your Google Profile
To get started, open the Google Maps app, click on your Profile (located in the top-right corner, assuming you’re logged in), and navigate to Settings.
2. Navigate to Navigation Settings
Within the Navigation section, look for ‘Show 3D buildings’ and toggle the setting to enable 3D buildings during navigation. You may need to zoom in on the map to see the buildings clearly. If you’re using Android Auto or CarPlay, you can expect to see this feature available following its broader rollout.
