For travelers that loved the Google Trips app for its travel planning and helpful discovery features, it's probably going to come as disappointing news that the search giant is making preparations to discontinue the app. The latest version update to Trips includes messaging that will inform users that the app is scheduled to be shut down and encourages users to seek out the features in other Google products.

Teardown

Disclaimer: Teardowns are based on evidence found inside of apks (Android's application package) and are necessarily speculative and usually based on incomplete information. It's possible that the guesses made here are wrong or inaccurate. Even when predictions are correct, there is always a chance that products could change or may be canceled. Much like rumors, nothing is certain until it's officially announced and released.

The features discussed below are probably not live yet, or may only be live for a small percentage of users. Unless stated otherwise, don't expect to see these features if you install the apk. All screenshots and images are real unless otherwise stated, and images are only altered to remove personal information.

Shutting down

The messaging is pretty clear. New text in the APK's resources spell out the intent to "say goodbye" to Google Trips and references looking for the features in other Google products. By and large, this is a reference to the newly launched trip planning service at google.com/travel. Google Maps has also introduced a number of travel and discovery features and will likely take up any slack left behind by the web service.

strings

The shutdown shouldn't come as much of a surprise given that Google effectively avoided mentioning the app in its announcement of the new website, which happens to resemble the app in many ways. Furthermore, the install count from the Play Store remains in the 5 million to 10 million bucket — which is very low compared to most other Google apps — and usage numbers even among remaining have been rumored to be quite low.

While a fully online website offers some advantages, it will likely create challenges for travelers that relied on a native app so they wouldn't have to use an always-on data connection.

No date is given for the shutdown, but Google will surely reveal more details once an official announcement is ready.

Download

The APK is signed by Google and upgrades your existing app. The cryptographic signature guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way. Rather than wait for Google to push this download to your devices, which can take days, download and install it just like any other APK.

UPDATE: 2019/06/04 8:28am PDT BY RYAN WHITWAM

Shutdown date

Well, the other shoe has dropped. Google has updated its support pages to say that the Trips mobile app will shut down on August 5, 2019. Until then, you can still access your trip data and notes in the app as usual. Most of the features from Trips are available in Search and Maps, but that won't be as convenient for people who really loved Trips.

Source: Google

Via: XDA

UPDATE: 2019/08/06 1:47am PDT BY RITA EL KHOURY

Google Trips is dead now. Opening the app lands you on a "We've said goodbye to Google Trips" message that suggests you use Maps and Search instead. If you're adamant about using the app for a last-minute crack at those sweet discounts, you can change your phone's date back to August 4 and it should work still. Probably not for long, though.