Android Auto users are reporting that the wavy media progress bar has disappeared, marking the latest instance of a familiar feature vanishing without explanation. The issue currently affects the media player experience when using Spotify.
According to reports, the squiggly line that indicates track progress no longer appears when the media player is displayed in full screen. However, the wavy progress bar reportedly still shows up when the interface is set to split-screen mode, suggesting the problem is partial rather than a complete removal.
A Redesigned Media Player Hit by Recurring Bugs
Google first rolled out the redesigned media player for Android Auto in January, introducing the distinctive squiggly progress bar as part of the update. Shortly after its debut, the new progress bar briefly disappeared owing to a bug. Google subsequently restored the feature and rolled it out again for all users.
The current situation appears to be a new bug that has partially removed the element once more. Rather than affecting every layout, the disappearance is limited to full-screen mode, while the split-screen view retains the animated bar.
Not the First Feature to Disappear Unexpectedly
This is not the only occasion on which an Android Auto feature has vanished without warning. Drivers were previously left puzzled when the live speedometer disappeared from Google Maps within Android Auto. Such unexplained changes can prove confusing and frustrating for those who have grown accustomed to relying on them during journeys.
For now, the wavy progress bar remains visible in split-screen mode for affected users, while its absence in full screen continues to be reported across the Android Auto community.
