June 11, 2026, 6:08 am | Read time: 2 minutes
A current issue in Android Auto is causing frustration for many users. During nighttime drives, Google Maps sometimes remains in the bright day mode. This can be distracting on dark roads because the display stays much brighter than intended.
Normally, Google Maps under Android Auto automatically switches between day and night mode. In many vehicles, this happens as soon as the headlights are turned on. This is meant to keep navigation visible at night without causing glare. However, this automatic switch currently seems unreliable for many users, reports the portal “9to5Google.”
Number of Reports Increasing
There have been indications of the problem for several months. However, reports have significantly increased in recent days. Numerous users are reporting in Google’s support forums and on Reddit that Google Maps continues to use the bright display even at night.
According to current reports, the problem is not limited to a specific smartphone or car brand. Instead, users are reporting the error across different devices and vehicle models. This suggests that the cause does not lie with a single hardware combination.
Google Fixes Annoying Glitch in Android Auto
Alternative Routes Disappear From Google Maps
Updates Suspected
Several indications suggest that a recent update to Android Auto or Google Maps might be responsible for the issue. The error is most frequently reported by users running Android Auto versions 17.0 or 17.1.
Version 17.0 was only recently released to all users. Whether one of these updates is indeed the cause of the problem has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, it remains unclear what is triggering the faulty switch between day and night mode.
Also of interest: Android Auto finally gets a video player
Currently, There Is Only One Possible Solution
Those affected by the error can try removing the latest Android Auto updates and reverting to an older version. However, it is not known if this will help in every case.
Ultimately, Google itself will likely need to provide a permanent fix for the problem. It is probable that only another software update can completely resolve the issue.