Source
r/ios•
stdlib

How to keep Google Maps active after Siri voice command?

Support

Hi all, I have an issue which is super annoying for me as a motorcycle driver. I have my iphone mounted to my bike and I use Google Maps for navigation as I'm riding. I can give voice commands using a communicator bluetooth device in my helmet which Siri understands just fine. However, I have a really annoying thing I'd like resolved:

Sometimes, and I'd say this is not every time but say 75% of the time anecdotally, if I give a voice command while google maps is on display it will do the thing I ask (e.g. switch songs, call someone) but then after it is done doing the thing it will just put the screen to sleep instead of restoring google maps to the forefront. What's extra annoying is that even though my biker gloves are touch screen compatible, I can't unlock the phone because they obviously don't have fingerprints (I have the SE 2020) and frankly I don't really want to mess around with fiddling with it while driving anyway.

Is there any way to just make it stay on google maps after it's done a call or done executing a command?

It's been incredibly frustrating so far because I have to pull over to unlock it and put google maps in the forefront only to have it happen all over again if I need to do another command. Often I'm not even in a position where pulling over is possible. Maybe with Apple maps this is less of a problem? I haven't tried that so maybe I should though I prefer google.

Posted Aug 2, 2022, 9:14 PM UTC

106
Dizzy_Culture377•

Apple Maps will stay on screen, even if locked. If the display goes to sleep, waking the screen will display Maps again, no unlocking necessary.

4
stdlibOP•

Yeah I think I'm just going to have to use Apple Maps when using the moto... bummer as I like Google Maps more but I guess it's better than not using maps at all.

1
1mrwick•

There is a workaround for this.

You will have to go in settings > accessibility > Siri and check : Always listen for “Hey Siri”

Then for your above case you will have to give Siri command for the directions again but end it with “on google maps”

Not the ideal solution but a decent workaround.

Also, the other thing you can try is deleting Apple Maps completely from your phone.

Edit: in accessibility also check mark - Show Apps behind Siri

This function allows Siri to run on top of the already active app currently on screen

3
stdlibOP•

Thanks, I already have "Always listen" turned on though it makes no difference in this case because "always listen" i believe can only use the phone's built-in microphone which won't pick anything up when I'm riding. My communicator has a button that triggers Siri and I can use the mic in my helmet for that so triggering it is not a problem.

The "Show Apps behind Siri" works in that I can see google maps as I'm inputing a command but if I ask Siri to call someone it will switch to phone instead of maps and when I'm done the call it won't switch back it will just turn the screen off.

Deleting Apple Maps... not a bad idea but I'm not sure if it would help me a lot for this case.

1
Bobbybino•

After telling Siri to do [whatever], tell Siri to "Launch Google Maps".

(By the way, mounting your phone on the motorcycle is likely to destroy the camera's optical image stabilization over time.)

1
stdlibOP•

Unfortunately what happens in that case is it says "You need to unlock your iPhone first" and unlocking it while wearing gloves is difficult.

Regarding the optical image stabilization - didn't know that thanks. However, the importance of having navigation while riding completely outweighs that by a long shot.

1