Navigation

One route, several ways to read it

The map, step list, AR, and Live view present the same trip. Changing presentation should not create another route or reset its progress. The navigation engine owns progress, turn advancement, and arrival; the view displays that state.

flowchart TD
  Search[Search or browse] --> Place[Inspect a place]
  Place --> Plan[Choose endpoints and travel mode]
  Plan --> Preview[Review route and steps]
  Preview --> Ready{Usable location?}
  Ready -->|Yes| Trip[One navigation session]
  Ready -->|No| Recover[Explain issue and retry]
  Recover --> Ready
  Trip --> Map[Map or step list]
  Trip --> Camera[AR or Live on walking routes]
  Map --> Arrival[Engine confirms arrival]
  Camera --> Arrival

Search and inspect a destination

Search combines installed place indexes with online discovery. Results depend on the available datasets and provider coverage. A place coordinate may identify a building or general location rather than its exact usable entrance.

• Open a result to check its identity and available details before choosing Directions.
• Save a destination to revisit it locally. Recents and personal itineraries are also stored on the phone.
• Manual origin selection is useful for previewing a trip elsewhere; starting real guidance still depends on current location conditions.

Choose the right travel mode

Preview before you start

Review the complete route, distance, estimated time, and turn list. The fly-through moves a camera along usable route geometry, with play, pause, replay, speed, and scrub controls. It is a preview of the planned route, rather than a live video of that road.

• Closing the fly-through returns to the route overview.
• Reduced motion starts the flight paused.
• Route alternatives depend on what the routing providers can return.
• Lane guidance is displayed only when the selected provider returns usable lane information.

Follow and recover

During navigation, the next maneuver and remaining trip summary take priority. Moving the map can detach the camera from follow mode; Recenter returns to the current-position view. The Steps view provides a text account of the same route.

• Check signal messages when position becomes uncertain. A blue line is not evidence that the phone has a reliable fix.
• A deviation may trigger a reroute. A new path needs an available route provider and suitable data.
• Switch back to the map when camera tracking is uncertain. Stop ends guidance; arrival is determined by the engine rather than a decorative animation.