Google Maps appears to be removing features if you're not logged in — and that's a huge mistake

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

There's a lot more to Google Maps than simply finding your way around. Google offers a wide range of features and plenty of information designed to help throughout your life. Unfortunately, the company has apparently decided that you're only allowed access to some of that information if you're signed in with a Google account.

If you choose to opt out of having a Google account, or at the very least logging into Google Maps with it, then you're going to end up looking at a stripped-down version. One that gives you directions, but cuts out a lot of other important things like reviews or location images.

google maps limited view messages — (Image credit: jogetgemoy69/Reddit)

Google Maps seems to be treating this as an error, noting that Maps itself might be having issues, while there could be interference from your network or a browser extension. However, the app then suggests that signing in with Google Maps might fix the issue. That's... suspicious, if you ask me.

Because it makes it look as though Google is trying to push people to stay signed in to Google Maps all the time. Hopefully, this isn't the case, because it would be a huge mistake on Google's part.

What's happening, exactly?

google maps logo on a phone screen

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The simple explanation is that some users are seeing a very stripped-down view of Google Maps — missing many key features that were previously available. We're not talking things like recent search history or saved places, both of which only work when tied to a specific user. We're talking about very general, but crucially important, bits of Google Maps data.

User reviews, photos and videos of locations, crowd-level graphs, related locations and so on. Maps refers to this as a "limited view of Google Maps", and when prompted for more information, suggests various issues that could be affecting things. Network issues, rogue browser extensions and general issues with Google Maps itself.

Of course, it also claims these issues can be fixed by logging in, and some Reddit users have confirmed they had no issues after doing so.

It is not clear why this is happening or whether it is due to a recent change in Google Maps or a glitch. I have contacted Google for more information and will update this story when I hear back.

google maps logged in vs logged out — (Image credit: Future)

Interestingly, I'm not seeing the Limited View message on Google Maps when I'm not logged in. But I am seeing considerably less information than I do compared to a browser window where I am.

When I look at the Natural History Museum in London while not logged in, I get the absolute bare minimum of information. A general overview, address details, contact information and opening times, to name a few. Plus some ads, because this is a Google product we're talking about.

Being logged in is a very different story. Not only can I buy tickets to the museum, with Google Maps redirecting me to various third-party ticketing sites, but I can also see a heck of a lot more about the museum. Full-length reviews, instead of a single 4.6-star rating, useful web results, user-submitted images, and so on.

None of these things actually requires a Google account to work, unlike the "Save" and "Send to phone" options, which are heavily reliant on a Google account. And yet, the latter two are visible regardless of whether you're logged in or not.

Being logged in also means the About tab features a lot more useful information about amenities, parking and what else is on offer when you're logged in. If you're not logged in, you get a summary of the premises and a list of accessibility features. While I'm not sure if that's a legal requirement here in the U.K., it does feel like the kind of thing that could land Google in trouble if it weren't easily available.

Deliberately cutting access to this information would be stupid

google maps logo on a phone screen

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Some of it isn't exactly hidden from view. Compared to apps like Waze or Apple Maps, Google Maps can look cluttered and a lot uglier than it really needs to be. So I can see the appeal of having a cleaner Google Maps interface at times.

That being said, straight-up removing this information from users without Google accounts is not the way Google can fix this problem. In fact, doing this deliberately would be the equivalent of Google cutting off its proverbial nose to spite its face.

There are very good reasons why Google Maps is one of the most popular navigation apps. There's the legacy brand recognition, sure, but there's also the fact that it offers solid and versatile directions regardless of how you're trying to get around. Then there is, of course, the fact that Google Maps has so much information available to users.

Not only can you find places easily and quickly, but you can also see a rundown of all the important information without having to jump into a different app. Opening hours, menus, parking lot information, it's all there and freely available. The trade-off is that Google shows you various kinds of ads throughout the Maps app, and the more people use Google Maps, the more money it can make from advertising.

That gives Google an incentive to make Google Maps as appealing as possible. And you know what's not appealing? Cutting off vital information because someone is using your service without logging into a Google account.

We're still not clear on why this change has happened and if it's a deliberate move by Google. But it is the kind of thing giant tech conglomerates would do, given half the chance. Users being logged in means they have access to even more personal data, and with it they can find new ways to make money — primarily by trying to sell better and more personalized ads.

Honestly, you can't fault people for trying to opt out of that if they can. And until now, Google has seemed pretty content to let them use the Maps app without having to log in first. I can see why it might prefer users to be logged in, but people are fickle and don't like being made to do something they already decided not to do.

The best way to make them log into Google Maps with an account is to make it worth their while. That means adding new reasons to make it appealing, not ripping away what they already have. To just pull that away without warning is not only a pretty bogus move, but it's also likely to push people away and onto another service. Which should be the last thing Google wants.

There's still a lot we don't know

Google Maps logo on an iPhone 17 Pro

(Image credit: Tom's Guide/ Google)

Reddit users noticed the switch a few days ago. With no real change in the time since or any official comment from Google, I'm leaning toward the idea that this change was deliberate rather than the result of a glitch. Though I could be wrong, and this could just be something Google hasn't quite got round to fixing yet.

While Google has been known to make a bunch of stupid mistakes in the past — just look at the ads situation on YouTube — I hope that it has more sense in this instance. There's very little benefit in crippling Google Maps for unregistered users, and while it may convince more people to stay logged into a Google Account, it's just as likely to drive people away. There are plenty of alternatives to Google Maps, after all.

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Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

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