Update April 23, 2015: On April 15, 2015 Google announced the rollout of a new version of desktop Google Maps. A new Lite Mode has been released. Once the rollout is complete, classic Google Maps will no longer be available.
Has the new version of Google Maps left you confused and frustrated? Many of my friends and colleagues have complained about it, from slow performance to trying to find the “search nearby” feature to sending the link to the map.
If you’re not happy with the new Google Maps, you can switch to “Lite Mode”, which is Google’s term for the previous version of the Google Maps. Google also calls it “classic Google Maps.”
You have two choices to switch to classic Google Maps:
- Switch by selecting default mode
- Within Google Maps, select the question mark (help) in the bottom right corner. Select “Return to classic Google Maps”, provide feedback on why you want to switch back (optional), and then select “Return to old Google Maps”
Once you switch to Lite Mode classic Google Maps, you decide whether you want to keep the choice for the current session or have your browser remember your choice for the next time.
In Lite Mode classic Google Maps, 3D Earth view and other 3D imagery won’t work. And you may notice your performance improves.
According to Google Maps Support:
For Lite mode (classic Google Maps), you must have either Safari 6+, IE 10, or IE 11. Other combinations may work, but are not officially supported. Lite mode (classic Google Maps) will also work for Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Mac OSX lower than 10.8.3.
Are you using Lite Mode classic Google Maps? Have you noticed any performance improvements?
I have tried to love the new Google maps but every time now that it loads I can’t dive fast enough for the “switch to Classic maps”. Street view works better, the speed is sooooo much faster, and it has Satellite instead of Google Earth. I was over Google Earth long ago – it is nice to look at but absolutely useless once you are finished playing and want to get any real info.
Hi Katrina,
Thank you for your comment. I know many of my friends are frustrated with the new Google Maps. While it has some nice new features, it’s sad they removed some of the key features people really liked (like Satellite and Search Nearby).