Android Auto finally exits the slow lane, adds Google Maps speedometer
Android Police 2026-07-20 16:26:42
Context: Android Auto users can now access a speedometer feature in Google Maps, a basic functionality that has been available on Apple CarPlay for two years and was previously accessible on Android devices and iOS outside of Android Auto. This feature displays a vehicle's speed next to the local speed limit when navigating, with the speed reading turning yellow or red if the driver is speeding. The update has started rolling out, although not all users with the latest beta version have it yet.
Key Facts
- The speedometer feature in Google Maps on Android Auto was first reported by users on Reddit a couple of days prior to the publication date, and was spotted by 9to5Google.
- The feature is available in version 26.29.02.946673643 beta of Google Maps, but not all users with this version have it yet.
- Android Auto users can see their vehicle's speed next to the local speed limit when navigating, with the speed reading turning yellow or red if they are speeding, and Google Maps shows just the vehicle's speed if there is no route set.
- Google acquired Waze in 2013, which already had a speedometer feature, and Android users have had access to a speedometer on Google Maps since 2019, while iOS users got it two years ago.
- According to an article on Autoevolution, GPS calculates a vehicle's speed as a pure calculation of distance divided by time, potentially providing a more accurate reading than a car's own speedometer, which depends on various factors and is only accurate within an industry-accepted range.