Google Maps makes it easier to navigate in tunnels

GPS allows you to explore the world with relative ease, but tunnels have long been a pain point for programs like Google Maps. Google Maps, which is already widely available, now enables Bluetooth beacons to bridge the gap created by tunnels.

Bluetooth beacons are not a new concept. Waze, owned by Google, has been supporting tunnel technology in big cities including New York City, Chicago, Paris, and Brussels for some time. However, the beacons have only ever operated with the Waze app.

Google explains on its help page:

The Waze Beacons initiative delivers smooth navigation to cars underground where GPS signals do not reach, providing location services, greater driver safety, and better insight into real-time activities within.

Google Maps looks to be finally integrating support for Bluetooth beacons, since a new tunnel navigation feature has been publicly available.

The option is accessible via Settings > Navigation Settings and the "Driving Options" section toward the bottom. The functionality is deactivated by default, but is explained as follows:

Scan for Bluetooth tunnel beacons to increase tunnel position accuracy.

The function appears to have originally appeared for select people around October 2023, although it is now generally available. When you enable the functionality, Maps for Android will seek permission to scan for nearby devices. This function is not accessible in Google Maps for iOS.