I found a hidden Google Maps feature that made my Pixel's always-on display useful
Android Police 2026-06-28 12:00:10
Context: A freelance tech journalist, Sanuj Bhatia, discovered a hidden Google Maps feature on his Google Pixel 10 Pro that makes the phone's always-on display more useful. This feature, called Power Saving Mode, was recently introduced and provides a simplified navigation experience while driving. The feature is currently only available on select Pixel devices.
Key Facts
- Google Maps' Power Saving Mode turns the navigation view into a simplified black-and-white interface on Pixel phones' always-on displays, reducing battery usage during navigation.
- The feature is currently only available on the Pixel 10 series and does not work on older Pixel phones, including the Pixel 9 series or Pixel A-series devices.
- When enabled, Power Saving Mode automatically switches to a low-power black-and-white navigation screen when turn-by-turn driving navigation is started and the phone is locked.
- The feature provides a cleaner navigation screen that focuses on essentials such as turn-by-turn directions, ETA, upcoming turn, and remaining distance, but lacks extra information like alternate routes and live traffic overlays.
- The author noticed a significant improvement in battery life while using Power Saving Mode, reducing battery drain from 10-12% to 4-5% during a daily 12km commute.