Google Maps for Android Crashes Unexpectedly: What You Need to Know

However, like any software, Google Maps is subject to the same software bugs that occasionally affect our apps, and this very problem is plaguing the latest versions as we write.

Users have taken to social media to reveal what appears to be a widespread issue that has caused Google Maps to crash within seconds of launching. The app works fine when launched, but somehow crashes a few seconds later, making it impossible for users to follow navigation or set up additional stops.

It is unclear what causes the expected app termination, but most users say the issue occurs after updating to versions 11.144 and 11.145. The latest version does not fix the error, and it does not matter what phone model the app is installed on.

All Android brands and phone models are affected by the issue, although not all are affected. It's unclear why some users are experiencing this behavior and others can continue to run the app without issues despite updating to the latest build, but it's likely that Google is already investigating the issue and should fix it soon.

The alternative solution

Since the bug was introduced by the latest Google Maps updates on Android Auto, the workaround is simple: downgrade to an older build of the app and block automatic updates until the search giant releases a fix.

If you want to remove the updates and revert to a previous build, you can either sideload a previous APK build or go to the settings screen on your Android device, search for Google Maps, and hit the uninstall updates button.

You will be reverted to the version of Google Maps that came preloaded on your smartphone, although it is important to note that the older this version is, the more new features you will lose. However, this is only a temporary solution, as Google is likely investigating the reporting behavior and a patch should be around the corner.

In the meantime, if you don’t want to downgrade Google Maps, you can also temporarily switch to another navigation app. Waze is the most popular choice for Android users, as it is also owned by Google and offers Android Auto support. However, unlike Google Maps, Waze does not offer offline maps, so you need an internet connection to download real-time traffic updates, get new routes, and upload your traffic reports.

The search giant has remained tight-lipped about this bug so far, so if you've encountered this behavior and found another workaround, drop me a line in the box after the jump. I'll post an update when Google releases a patch to fix this bug.