Google Maps for Android supports Bluetooth beacons, for better navigation in tunnels

However, due to its widespread popularity, Google Maps now supports Bluetooth beacons to fill the gap left by tunnels.

Bluetooth beacons aren't really a new idea. Google-owned Waze has been supporting this technology in tunnels across the globe, including major cities like New York City, Chicago, Paris, Brussels and many others, for a long time. However, those beacons only work in the Waze app.

Google explains on its support page:

The Waze Beacons program provides seamless navigation for drivers underground where GPS signals cannot reach, ensuring location services, increased driver safety, and better visibility of Real-time events inside the tunnel.

Now it looks like Google Maps has finally added support for Bluetooth beacons as the new tunnel navigation setting has become widely available.

As highlighted by SmartDroid, this feature appears in Settings > Navigation Settings and in the 'Driving Options' section at the bottom. This feature is disabled by default but is described as:

Scan Bluetooth beacons to improve location accuracy in tunnels.

Google Maps for Android supports Bluetooth beacons, for better navigation in tunnels Picture 1

The feature appeared to first appear for some users around October 2023 but has been widely available since this month. When this feature is enabled, Maps for Android will request permission to scan for nearby devices. This feature is not available on Google Maps for iOS.

Kareem Winters

Update 17 January 2024