Google Maps is a pretty great tool for navigating the world, and the Google app has many features you may not have seen. And it makes it easier for Google to roll in new features and sunset others.

Android Authority recently conducted a map app APK teardown, examining the code to what might be hidden, and it could soon be removed from Mapsl, followed by locations

Follow Locations will allow users to receive news and updates from locations listed on Google Maps and businesses. It is a tool that allows you to create and edit your own files. In the example of Fr, you can follow the restaurant through Google Maps and ideally get coupons and other offers about upcoming events. However, that functionality may end because the Android Authority debugging team found a string of code that references depreciation in subsequent locations. These strings indicate that subsequent locations may not work for a long time after 2025/1.

To be fair to Google and its track record of killing features and products that people actively use and love (RIP Reader and Podcasts), the places that have been followed have been out for a while.

Launched in 2018, this feature provides an easy way to receive news from places and companies such as offers, events and other updates. It was intended to provide people with the For You tab. There was a + (plus) Follow button under Business in Google Maps. 

Neither Tom's Guide nor Android Authority knows when this button disappeared. I checked out Google Maps in the Chrome browser on my Samsung Galaxy S22Ultra and laptop. Since the follow button was not found on either system, this feature allows you to save and categorize the points of interest that are essentially of interest. 

In recent months, Google has added or improved a lot of features throughout the map app. The company recently added an AI aimed at learning the preferences of users to help them find a place. It was aimed at enhancing features like the ability to find EV charging stations, no matter how hidden they are.