Google Maps Can Now Read Your Screenshots
Published On: May 8, 2025
If you’re the type to screenshot a restaurant recommendation or a dreamy vacation spot while scrolling through social media, Google Maps just made your life a whole lot easier, at least if you’re using an iPhone.
Google has officially rolled out a new Gemini-powered feature for iOS that allows Maps to scan your screenshots and extract location information to save them automatically.
To get started, update to the latest version of Google Maps and head to the “You” tab. There, you’ll see a new “Screenshots” list with a badge inviting you to try it out. Tapping it launches a short demo showing how the feature works.
Once enabled, Maps will detect screenshots containing names, addresses, or landmarks. It’ll then prompt you with a “Review” screen, where you can choose to save the recognized locations to your Screenshots list. From there, you can move them into other lists like “Favorites” or “Want to Go.”
The feature supports both manual and automatic use. You can allow Maps to access all your photos for continuous background scanning or opt to upload screenshots one by one. If auto-scan is turned on, Maps will place new screenshots with location data into a carousel for easy review. There’s also a toggle to turn this feature off at any time for added privacy.
Google emphasizes that this new capability is powered by Gemini, their AI platform, and is designed to be private—your screenshots and saved places remain personal unless you choose to share them. For now, the feature is exclusive to iOS and English in the U.S., but Google says an Android rollout is in the pipeline.