Whether you live in a big city or are just visiting, finding a specific location can be a little difficult. It can be easy to get turned around right when you get off the subway or train, for example, and the compass in the maps app you’re using may not offer much help. Google’s solution is an integrated augmented reality (AR) mode for walking navigation, to help point the way.
The company first announced the feature at Google I/O 2018, and it’s finally making its way to the Maps app. AR Mode was initially exclusive to Google’s Pixel phones — including the Pixel 3a — but the company has now made it available for any Android phone that supports ARCore and any iPhone that supports ARKit. It’s only available for use outdoors and in areas with recently published Street View images; AR Mode is not available in India; and because the camera is needed to recognize buildings, it will not work in low-light environments. The feature is still in beta.
For a quick primer on augmented reality, it’s when you can see virtual icons and images layered over the real world — think seeing Pokémon in Pokémon Go. In this case, these virtual icons are seen through the Google Maps app, with the help of the camera on the back of your phone.
Once you’re ready to go, look up a destination. AR Mode only works in walking navigation, so the location will ideally need to be relatively close. Tap Directions, make sure you’re on the walking tab, and you should see a button next to the Start button that says Start AR. Tap on this, and the camera will launch.
You’ll see a small part of the map at the bottom, so you still have a top-down view. You’ll need to pan your phone in a sweeping motion slowly so the camera can see the buildings and signs around you. It will take a few seconds, as the camera is scanning its surroundings to understand where you are.
Once it has figured it out, you’ll get audio notifications, but you will also see a giant virtual marker on the street you’re on, telling you which direction to head. Point your phone around, and you can see the next marker, and maybe even the location pin for where you’re trying to go.
Follow the virtual signs. While you’re walking, Google Maps will tell you to put your phone down so you can see where you’re going clearly. If you do so, the Maps app will go back to the normal navigation screen, but as soon as you put your phone back up, it will automatically turn on the AR Mode again.
As you reach a new virtual marker, you’ll get more audio notifications. Move your camera around and you’ll see the next marker. Keep following them, and you will eventually reach your destination.
That’s it! It’s simple to use, and remember, AR Mode is meant to help you find your way quickly if you’re unsure which direction to head. Also, if you want to know more, you can check our guide on how to use Google Maps.
Are you tired of paying for streaming services you never watch just to get a phone plan feature you actually want? T-Mobile has good news for you! The carrier is rolling out new plans, called T-Mix, in early November to replace its old Experience lineup with a build-your-own perks system called Picks.
The benefits you choose vary from streaming and gaming to food delivery, AI, satellite service, and phone discounts. But if you are satisfied with your existing plan, you can keep it.
Merely days after the iPhone Duo hit the shelves, images of broken screens on the phone started popping up across social media. Until now, it’s been unclear what’s causing the line of defective pixels that appears vertically along the crease, as well as horizontally, on the phone’s inner display.
Apple has finally acknowledged the issue, which has shown up on iPhone Duo units owned by customers as well as demo units in stores. In a statement shared with Bloomberg, Apple says that not all iPhone Duo units are affected and that those that are tend to show the display fault early on. The company added that users who experience problems with their iPhone Duo display should contact AppleCare for a replacement.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.