Last year, Google removed the Assistant Driving Mode dashboard homescreen from Android, leaving a basic "driving mode" in the Maps app for drivers who prefer to use their phones as a replacement for GPS navigation.

Unfortunately, it appears that this mode will soon be gone as well, even if Google has not officially announced it.

A code dive into the latest Google app by 9to5Google uncovered two curious strings that seem to be related to the feature's impending discontinuation." This view will be discontinued in February.

"To play a call, message, or media while navigating, tap the microphone and use the Assistant.

The site speculates that this refers to Driving Mode: the large, friendly driving UI that appears when you start driving navigation within Google Maps. once started, Google Assistant, Maps, various music, podcasts and audiobooks, quick access to streaming apps, as well as large buttons for easy interaction.

This is unexpected, since when justifying the end of the Assistant driving mode dashboard (demonstrated in the GIF below) in 2022, Google claimed that most drivers were using it. as 9to5Google explains, at the time, many users felt this was a down felt it was a downgrade.

Since this change has not yet been made (9to5Google notes that the live version of the app does not show the string), Google's reasoning for this upcoming change is unclear. However, given the improvements made to voice input while driving in July, the company may simply want to remove the temptation to touch altogether for a safer driving experience.

That's probably a sensible change all around. While most drivers are careful enough to only press the buttons on their mounted phones when it is safe to do so (such as in traffic jams, at stoplights, or while parked), it only takes one unsafe driver to cause an accident that could affect other drivers.

Similarly, safe drivers who dislike the use of voice assistants for privacy and reliability reasons will be disappointed by the loss of touch controls. These individuals may want to make sure their next car has Android Auto.