> my maps app wouldn’t connect to my phone’s music player any more

Sorry a bit of a detail but I don’t understand this. What does it means for a maps app to connect to a phone’s music player?

Are we talking about 2 apps on the same phone? 2 apps on 2 phones? I use map apps on my phone all the time, while listening to music, but I’ve never “connected” the two.

Just a guess, but Google Maps has (had?) an integration with Spotify that adds basic playback controls below the map view during navigation. It's meant to keep you from needing to switch apps while driving.