Google Maps dark mode and live location updates coming to iPhone

Soon iPhone users will be able to use Google Maps in dark mode anytime, day or night.

Currently, iPhone users can only see driving, walking, or biking directions turn dark at night. Not anymore. Just like on Android, Google Maps on iOS will be available in dark mode all the time. The option should be available in the app's settings in the coming weeks.

Behold! Dark mode! Credit: Google Maps

The update includes another feature Android users already have: real-time location sharing in texts.

Google Maps users could share their location on iMessage before — but if they moved, their friends would be out of luck. Now, iPhone users will be able to share their real-time location for as long as three days. The default will be one hour. That could be useful at big outdoor concerts and other events where people are constantly moving around.

The GIF below from Google shows how to share your real-time location without opening the Google Maps app.

Via Giphy

Another new feature: iOS 14 users can add Google Maps widgets to see live traffic conditions nearby. There's also a search widget that lets people navigate to locations without opening the Google Maps app.

Android already has a Google Directions widget for places you frequently visit, like where you live.

Google Maps in widget form. Credit: Google

Finally, iPhone users are catching up to Android users, at least when it comes to Google Maps features.