Google Maps may soon let you post your reviews under a different name (APK teardown)

Ryan Haines/Android Official

In summary;

Users will soon be able to use an alternative profile when leaving comments, reviews, and more on Google Maps or in the Google app.
Users will be able to choose a custom name and image when they share publicly for the first time.
This option is not currently available.

When you want to comment or leave a review about something in the Google app Google Mapsyou must use your real name and profile picture. But what if you don’t want people to see identifying marks? Your only options are to create a disposable email or say nothing at all. However, it looks like this could change in the future.

One APK removal It helps predict future features that may come to a service based on ongoing code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release.

In the latest version of the Google app, we found strings of code that indicate an alternative profile is in the works. Below, you’ll see all the strings we discovered that are relevant to the feature. We also found the same strings hidden in the Google Maps app.

Code

string name="ap_accept_terms_checkbox">My use of notes is governed by the &lt;a href="%1$s"&gt;Google Terms of Service&lt;/a&gt;, including the &lt;a href="%2$s"&gt;Additional Terms&lt;/a&gt;</string>
<string name="ap_account_name_description">Use Google account profile</string>
<string name="ap_back_button">Back</string>
<string name="ap_close_description">Close</string>
<string name="ap_confirm_button">Confirm</string>
<string name="ap_create_new_profile_description">Create new profile</string>
<string name="ap_edit_name_hint">Create display name</string>
<string name="ap_edit_text_error_hint">Some characters are not allowed</string>
<string name="ap_edit_text_too_long_error_hint">Name is too long</string>
<string name="ap_header_text">You’ll use this profile to post publicly across Google Maps and Search. &lt;a href="%1$s"&gt;Learn more&lt;/a&gt;</string>
<string name="ap_image_required_text">Image required</string>
<string name="ap_new_name">New name &amp; picture</string>
<string name="ap_save_error">Oops, something went wrong</string>
<string name="ap_select_profile_picture_description">Upload a photo</string>
<string name="ap_signedin_as_text">Signed in as</string>
<string name="ap_title_text">Choose how you’ll look</string>

According to the code, users will be able to create new profile names and add new profile pictures. This option does not appear to be live yet as it is not available in our accounts.

The technology giant, who wanted to pour fuel on the fire, recently released a new statement support page. This support page explains how to choose how you appear publicly on Maps and Search. The document states:

When you publish publicly on Google Maps and Search, you control how you appear. The first time you publish publicly, you’ll be asked to choose between two options:

Use your name and picture from your Google Account.

Use a unique name and image.

Stating “first time” implies that the option is only available to first-time posters or those creating new accounts. We tried using an email that has never been used to post a comment or review before, but we still couldn’t get the option to show.

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