Google-maps – way to return to satellite birds-eye view with latest Google maps

google maps

Using Google Maps with latest Chrome/Win10, two questions:

  1. How do I get to overhead satellite photo views? Currently I just have 'Earth' and 'Map'.

  2. How do I get to 'birds-eye' satellite photos views (photos taken from angles)? (Sorry, that might be the 'bing' term).

Details:
I'm using maps.google.com with the latest Chrome/Win10 (as of 2015-Dec-8), logged into Google. I am looking to see actual satellite images. The only options are 'Map' and 'Earth' view. The Earth view is 3D rendered and looks like garbage, completely unusable (… like a Picasso nightmare, the screen is full of 3D blobs with weird geometry and textures..).

Similar question asked before, didn't see a solution:

Here were suggestions on previous posts:

  • Suggestion: "Hovering over the map icon in the top-right corner should reveal a satellite view icon"

  • No such icon exists. I hovered over every icon on the page.

  • Suggestion: "Click on question mark-icon on bottom-right"

  • No such icon exists.

  • Suggestion: "Click on Earth (bottom left corner)"

  • Brings up 'Earth' and 'Map', no 'Satellite' option.

  • Suggestion: "Google Maps may default to Lite mode for older browsers and operating systems"

  • Unfortunately I have the latest browser and operating system. Temporary solution may be to use the 'preview' link instead of going to maps.google.com.

  • Suggestion: "in the lower-right corner of the white box"…"tiny almost invisible down arrow" … "click the sat icon"

  • No down arrow exists in any white boxes. Couldn't find any "sat" icon.

  • Suggestion: Use Bing.

  • (really?)

Update:

  • Two temporary solutions seem to be:
    • Use Bing. Unfortunately Bing's imagery is low resolution for this area and seems to be out of date, also I don't like the interface. These features used to be available at maps.google.com, are they gone for good?
    • I found a temporary alternative link that at least restores satellite imagery (no birds-eye though). Rather than "http://maps.google.com/", go to "https://www.google.com/maps/preview/?force=canvas". This disables 'Earth', but also disables other features, and I assume this link is temporary. Any better way?

Best Answer

I think I've figured this out!

  1. Go to the hamburger menu at the top left, choose "Earth". The left-side menu will disappear, and the 3D images view will appear.
  2. Go to the hamburger menu again. Under "Earth" there are now 2 items: 3D on and Labels on.
  3. Click 3D on. It will toggle 3D to off.
  4. ...
  5. Rejoice.
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