November 6, 2025, 9:14 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Some users are currently puzzled by the new 3D view in Google Maps while driving. Instead of a clear satellite view, there are only white blocks that are supposed to look like buildings. However, these obstruct the view of the essentials–our editor Adrian Mühlroth is also affected.
Streets now hard to recognize
Google Maps has more than a billion users and remains the most popular navigation app on the iPhone. Changes therefore also affect those who use Maps via CarPlay in the car. I also exclusively use Google’s map service to get from A to B–on an iPhone via CarPlay.
So far, I’ve rarely had problems with this setup. Due to its broad user base, Google still has the advantage when it comes to current traffic information. For me, however, the satellite view is one of the biggest advantages that Apple’s map service does not offer for navigation. I like to have a precise view of where I’m driving. The satellite view helps me orient myself to the surroundings.
Also interesting: 7 places Google Maps wants to hide from us
With a recent change in the map app, Google has significantly worsened the navigation experience. When I wanted to drive to soccer at the beginning of the week, I first thought my infotainment screen was acting up. Instead of the usual satellite view, I suddenly only see misshapen white blocks. Everything looks as if the maps are only half-loaded. Additionally, the 3D blocks obscure the view of the roads and surroundings–exactly what can be helpful when navigating. But it’s not just me; users on Reddit are also speaking up, wondering what’s going on:
How to turn off the new view
The problem: In CarPlay itself, the “3D” view with the white blocks cannot be turned off. Only switching to the classic Maps view is possible. As it turns out, a change is only possible through the Google Maps app on the iPhone itself. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:
- Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
- Click on the initials at the top right and open “Settings” in the context menu.
- Select “Navigation” under “Mobility“.
- Scroll to “Map display” and toggle the slider for “Show 3D buildings“.
For me personally, the block view has since disappeared–it may have been a bug or a test run. I still wonder why Google would roll out an update that suddenly makes the satellite view, which previously worked perfectly, useless. Perhaps it would help if the buildings appeared in their actual colors. But the white blocks, which do nothing but obstruct the view, are really unnecessary.