Using Google Maps and Waze on Android Auto suddenly becomes a nightmare

A bug that’s been around for at least a few years prevents these two apps from switching to dark mode at night, making them dangerous at night.

This is done with Android Auto, Google’s smartphone projection system, and you should be able to rest assured that Google’s properties Google Maps and Waze.

I first wrote about this bug about a month ago, when it resurfaced after it was first reported in 2022, but several readers have told me that the issue remains unfixed and that the app is running overnight. We have received complaints that it has become difficult to use. The problem also appears to be becoming more widespread, with some people giving up on using navigation at night because looking at the screen in daytime mode temporarily blinds the driver’s eyes.

This issue primarily affects users with aftermarket media receivers that ignore automatic switching from day mode to night mode. However, these users have tried everything from updating to beta software to manually switching to dark mode after turning on the headlights.

Manually enabling dark mode in Google Maps and Waze works sometimes, but not always, and some users have reported even more dangerous behavior. They claim that Android Auto tells Google Maps and Waze to switch between day and night modes every few seconds, turning the screen into a flashing interface, making night driving even more difficult.

A community specialist who claims to be part of the Android Auto team says that the issue has already been forwarded to developers, but a fix has not yet been released. Considering that this glitch was first reported in his 2022, users have more or less lost hope that it will eventually be patched, leaving everyone to find a workaround on their own. It seems that it is.

Unfortunately, this problem has not been fixed and so far it has proven to be a waste of time, considering that even force switching from Android Auto developer settings does not work.

On the other hand, users who plan to switch to other navigation apps should give up on this idea. This bug exists in Android Auto and means that Google Maps and his Waze alternative apps will face the same issue. This bug only affects the nighttime interface, as everything works correctly when driving during the day.

The only solution for people affected by this bug is to temporarily give up using Google Maps and Waze at night, or switch to a mobile device if you need turn-by-turn guidance. This means that you need to shut down Android Auto in your car, as everything works fine when Google Maps and Waze are running on your Android phone. This is another sign that Android Auto is the culprit.