TL;DR
A Google Maps user and Android writer says the app’s one-handed zoom controls feel awkward and inconsistent. He recommends optional on-screen controls — like a temporary slider or +/- buttons — so casual users have a reliable alternative to gestures.
What happened
In a recent column, Android Police writer Rahul Naskar said he relies on Google Maps for occasional outings but remains frustrated by its approach to zooming with one hand. He avoids the two-finger pinch because it previously damaged his OnePlus 7 Pro and instead uses a double-tap-then-hold gesture that lets him slide to zoom in or out. While that trick provides a one-handed option, Naskar finds it unreliable and fiddly — it does not always register and can be sensitive to timing. He argues Google prioritized a minimalist interface over offering straightforward alternatives, and proposes solutions such as optional +/− buttons or a thumb-accessible slider that could be revealed only when needed. Naskar says he’s not opposed to gestures, but wants optional UI choices for casual users; he also says he hasn’t found a competitor that handles this better and doesn’t plan to switch apps for now.
Why it matters
- Unreliable gestures can reduce map usability when users need quick, one-handed zooming.
- A lack of accessible alternatives affects safety for people navigating while walking or driving.
- Minimalist UI choices can trade clarity for discoverability and reliability for casual users.
- Providing optional controls could improve accessibility without forcing changes on power users.
Key facts
- Author: Rahul Naskar, Android Police writer who uses Google Maps for occasional travel.
- He avoids pinch-to-zoom because it damaged his OnePlus 7 Pro and he finds it risky one-handed.
- He uses a double-tap, hold on the second tap, then slide up/down to zoom out/in in Google Maps.
- The double-tap-and-slide gesture is sometimes unreliable and can fail if taps are mistimed.
- Naskar says Google appears to favor a cleaner UI over offering more explicit zoom controls.
- Suggested fixes include optional +/− buttons, a thumb-reachable slider, or a small button that reveals a slider.
- He looked for competitors with better one-handed zoom but says he couldn’t find a superior alternative.
- Naskar does not plan to abandon Google Maps unless one-handed zooming becomes a daily problem.
What to watch next
- Whether Google introduces optional on-screen zoom controls such as a slider or +/- buttons — not confirmed in the source
- If third-party navigation apps implement a more reliable one-handed zoom method that attracts users — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Pinch-to-zoom: A multi-touch gesture using two fingers moving together or apart to zoom out or in on a touchscreen.
- Double-tap-and-slide: A gesture where the user double-taps, keeps the finger down on the second tap, and then slides to change zoom level.
- UI slider: A user interface control that lets people adjust a value along a track by dragging a handle, useful for fine-grained zoom control.
- One-handed use: Operating a device comfortably with a single hand, often shaping UI decisions for reachability and safety.
Reader FAQ
Can you zoom without pinching in Google Maps?
Yes — the author describes using a double-tap, hold on the second tap, then slide to zoom in or out.
Why doesn’t the author use pinch-to-zoom?
He says pinch broke his OnePlus 7 Pro and considers it risky to use one-handed.
Will the author switch to another maps app because of this issue?
He says he doesn’t plan to switch unless one-handed zooming becomes a frequent problem.
Has Google committed to adding optional zoom controls?
not confirmed in the source
I'm tired of how Google Maps still makes this simple thing feel hard Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police By Rahul Naskar Published 19 minutes ago Rahul Naskar has years of…
Sources
- I'm tired of how Google Maps still makes this simple thing feel hard
- Google Maps uses Mercator projection when zoomed out …
- Zooming in and out in Google Maps suddenly way too fast!
- Google Maps One-Hand Zoom on iPhone
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