In the latest Maps update, Google added music app integration. While navigating, you no longer have to switch apps to record a different song in Spotify or Apple Music. iPhoned shows you how to activate the feature.
Google Maps music integration added
It’s quite annoying and inconvenient to have to switch between your music and navigation app to switch songs. Google thought so too, and that’s why the company has come up with something. In the renewed Google Maps, various useful features have been added for on the go, including music integration for Apple Music and Spotify.
While you navigate to your next destination via Google Maps, you will never have to switch to your music service again to operate it. There is now room in the navigation screen for a widget with control buttons, and you can see which song is being played. But before you can navigate carefree and listen to music, you still have to set up the music integration.
This is how you activate the Spotify or Apple Music integration
- Open Google Maps and go to Settings via the icon at the top left;
- Tap the ‘Navigation’ menu;
- Select ‘Music playing app’;
- Choose which app you want to use for the music integration, Apple Music or Spotify;
- When you choose Apple Music, Maps will ask for permission to this app and your media library. If you choose Spotify, a new window will open in Spotify itself where you have to authorize Google Maps.
Listen and switch quickly
When you have linked one of the music apps, Google Maps is ready to show a widget while navigating. Set a route and start navigation. You will now automatically see an Apple Music or Spotify widget at the bottom of the navigation screen.
Here you can rewind or fast forward a song and pause the music. If you are not yet playing music while navigation has already started, this window will say ‘Open Apple Music’. When you press this, the app will automatically start playing music. It is also always possible to go to the music app via the widget. Handy when you want to switch playlists.