Google Maps is currently experimenting with a new feature that displays entrances to buildings, offering users enhanced navigation capabilities.
The functionality, spotted in version 11.17.0101 on a Pixel 7a, is currently limited to select areas.
When a building is selected and the map is sufficiently zoomed in, entrances become visible, with selected buildings or businesses highlighted in red for easier identification.
Entrance indicators take the form of either circular icons with arrows or white circles featuring entry symbols.
Testing has revealed that entrances are visible for a variety of places, including cafes, offices, supermarkets, hardware stores, and restaurants in cities like Las Vegas, San Francisco, Berlin, and New York City.
The feature is expected to be particularly useful for larger buildings such as malls or hospitals.
However, some entrances may not be accurately placed, especially for smaller buildings.
As the feature is still in its early development stages, it may take some time before it becomes universally available.
This new addition to Google Maps comes on the heels of other recent features, including ‘Glanceable Directions’ and generative AI-powered search capabilities for discovering new places.
