Google maps introduces battery-saver navigation mode; Step-by-Step guide for Pixel 10 Series

Driving long distances without frequent recharges can test the limits of your smartphone’s battery, even with power-saving measures turned on. To help stretch your phone’s mileage, Google Maps has introduced a new Power Saving Mode, announced in its November 2025 “Pixel Drop.” This mode is now available to owners of the Google Pixel 10 series of phones, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

What is Power Saving Mode?

At its core, the Power Saving Mode is a simpler, black and white map. When enabled, the regular navigation experience is replaced with one that emphasizes core information only: next turn, estimated time of arrival (ETA) and basic directions. As a result, it consumes less power.

Enabling it is easy: Open Google Maps → Settings → Navigation → Driving options → Power Saving Mode. After starting navigation, just hit the phone’s power button while driving. The screen will lock, and you’ll be instantly presented with the reduced‑glare, power‑saving interface. Hit the power button (or tap the screen) again, and the normal Google Maps driving experience returns.

Limitations: While in Power Saving Mode, the map will only display when the phone is in portrait orientation, and it’s only available in driving mode. Walking, biking or public transit directions won’t offer the black and white, reduced‑graphics layout.

Automatic shutdown: The feature turns itself off once navigation is complete.

Features and benefits

The “Pixel Drop” announcement credits a new Android “AOD Min Mode” as the key enabler here. On phones with OLED displays, such as the Pixel 10 series, this setting is particularly power-efficient – because black pixels on OLEDs turn off, and thereby draw almost no power. In addition, the system automatically dims the screen and reduces the display’s refresh rate when Power Saving Mode is on. Taken together, Google says users can enjoy up to four additional hours of navigation compared to standard Google Maps use.

Pixel-only feature? Pixel 10 only? Pixels on Android?

This new power-saving feature for driving directions is exclusive to the Pixel 10 devices, at least for now. Given the apparent tight integration between hardware and software on these phones, it’s also worth noting that the update is possible only on devices with OLED screens. Whether the feature will eventually work on older Pixels or Android devices with OLED displays remains to be seen. Google hasn’t confirmed or denied the possibility, but early evidence (at least based on some Pixel 9 and 9 Pro users reporting success) suggests that it may not be limited to the Pixel 10 series for long.

Key takeaways

Navigation apps can guzzle smartphone battery life, especially on long drives or road-trips when access to charging may be intermittent or limited. With the new Power Saving Mode, Google Maps is offering users a way to help alleviate one of the biggest pain‑points when navigating over long distances: running out of phone battery just when you need it the most.

By initially making it a Pixel 10‑only feature, Google has simultaneously made a strong (if implicit) case for both OLED screens and deeper hardware‑software integration. It’s not clear if Google will expand this feature to older Pixels or other Android handsets with OLED screens. It hasn’t committed to that yet, but it’s also not ruled it out. If you’re a Pixel 10 owner who frequently uses Google Maps for driving – whether daily commuting or long road‑trips – this new feature could give you a bit more peace of mind, fewer stops for charging and less distraction while searching for the next nearest charger.