If you’ve spent the past few months letting a Minion guide your commute, the ride is officially over. Starting today, the chirpy voices, banana jokes, and goofy banter that made traffic jams slightly more bearable are disappearing from Waze. The Minions voice pack is being retired — and it’s not coming back.
A Reddit user first flagged the change, posting a screenshot of a Waze notification announcing the removal with the title: “WAZE WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS???”
The Minions’ voices were introduced in June last year as more than just a novelty. For parents trying to distract restless kids, commuters stuck in gridlock, or anyone in need of a quick laugh, the yellow characters turned navigation into lighthearted entertainment. Their over-the-top antics occasionally made red lights and long drives feel just a little more fun.
Still, the move doesn’t come as a shock. Waze has a long history of offering promotional voice packs tied to movies, brands, or cultural moments — only to remove them once the campaign ends.
For users hoping to hold onto the Minions, there’s a glimmer of hope. A massive GitHub repository hosts links to nearly all custom Waze voices released over the years. Someone even dropped the link in the Reddit thread, though the Minions pack isn’t available there yet. It’s possible it may surface in the coming days, but nothing is confirmed.
For those who never heard it, here’s a quick sample of the Minions voice pack in action:
Waze has pulled similar stunts before. Cookie Monster, pop stars, and even video game characters have all been added and later removed — much to the dismay of dedicated fans. While some drivers prefer switching back to the standard voice for efficiency, others miss the novelty and humor that made everyday trips feel less ordinary.
So, what’s next for Minions fans? If you haven’t already, now’s the time to take one last ride with the banana-loving crew before they’re gone for good. Maybe record a snippet for nostalgia, then wait to see who shows up next on your Waze app. Because if history is any guide, there’s always another quirky voice just around the corner.
