The new version of the Google Maps app for Android made turn-by-turn navigation more cumbersome. Google removed the navigation icon and integrated the navigation feature in the Maps app, instead of using a separate app. The new interface is more difficult to use because it requires more taps and buttons are really small. There are also many missing navigation features: layers, Street View, alternate routes.
Fortunately, the Google Maps app lets you start the navigation mode a lot faster. “Select a place, then tap and hold on the transportation icon. This will automatically open voice guided turn-by-turn GPS navigation and you’ll be ready to go,” informs Google.
It’s not an obvious feature, but it lets you skip 2 screens. You first had to pick a route, see the list of directions and then tap “Start”.
This tip also works in the Google Maps app for iPhone and iPad, so it’s not limited to Android.
Google Operating System