In a groundbreaking update announced in March, Google Maps has officially rolled out a revolutionary feature designed to enhance user experience for iPhone users. This new capability, powered by Gemini, allows users to scan screenshots on their devices and automatically save any locations identified within those images. With this innovative feature, Google aims to simplify the process of saving places discovered through web searches, social media, and other platforms.
Gone are the days of manually opening your gallery, trying to remember place names, and then searching through Google Maps for the desired location. Thanks to this new feature, Google Maps will now automatically detect locations from your screenshots and compile them into a convenient list. To take advantage of this functionality, ensure that you are using the latest version of Google Maps and navigate to the “You” tab. Here, you will find a newly created private list titled “Screenshots,” accompanied by an engaging demo tutorial.
Whenever you take a screenshot that contains location details, such as names, addresses, or landmarks, Google Maps will swiftly identify these elements and display the corresponding listing within the app. A user-friendly “Review” interface will highlight the identified locations, offering you the option to either “Save” or “Don’t Save.” Once you make your selection, the location will be added to your Screenshots list, and you can easily organize them into different collections for better management.
For those who prefer a more automated approach, the new feature includes an auto-scan option. By selecting “Allow Access to All Photos,” Google Maps will automatically search for new screenshots containing location information and present them in a carousel format for your review. If you prefer a more hands-on method, you can also browse your gallery and manually import images for analysis. A clear “Turn on/off auto-scan” button is conveniently located beneath the screenshots carousel for easy access.
This innovative screenshot scanning feature is currently available on Google Maps for iOS users in the US English version, with plans for an Android release in the near future. This update marks a significant step forward in how users can interact with maps and enhance their travel planning and exploration experiences.
Stay tuned for more updates on Google Maps as they continue to innovate and improve user experience across all devices.
