Google Maps AR feature disabled temporarily due to annoying ARCore notification, fix coming soon

Google Maps AR navigation was first demoed at Google I/O in 2018, getting a tease in early 2019, but still without a launch date. At Google I/O 2019, Google announced the general availability of AR view for all Pixel and other Android device owners from 7 May 2019.

How Does Google Maps AR Works

Google Maps AR makes use of the ARCore to help you navigate when walking and looking for directions. What does that mean? It uses the camera on the rear of the phone to identify where you are, superimposing direction and details on the display, rather than just presenting you with a map.

Artificial Intelligence identifies and understands our surroundings, while the GPS helps in identifying our position on the map. Ultimately, Google Maps AR helps get around the problem of not knowing which way to walk – because AR can then point in the right direction so you’re heading the right way.

What has happened now?

Now, Google has come out with an announcement (posted on Google Maps Help Community) that they have discovered a bug on Android devices not having ARCore. The bug in question prompts the user to download or update ARCore even if they were not using the AR feature.

Hence, Google has disabled the AR feature temporarily as a result and will be rolling out an updated version of Google Maps on Android with the fix in the near future.

Here’re the exact words:

Over the weekend we discovered an issue affecting Android devices that did not have ARCore installed that prompted people to download or update ARCore even if they were not using the AR feature. We’ve temporarily disabled the AR feature as a result and will be rolling out an updated version of Google Maps on Android with the fix in the near future

As Google points out, Pixel devices like Pixel 3A, Pixel 3A XL, Pixel 3, etc largely remain unaffected, which means users of these devices can use the AR feature in Google Maps normally.

We will keep you posted as soon as the fix/update is rolled out by Google. Meanwhile, let us know your thoughts on the situation in the comments section below.

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