No Internet? Download Google Maps for Offline Use
Do you often rely on Google Maps to navigate unfamiliar roads? Have you ever found yourself driving and needing instructions, but can’t get any reception?
In the United States, you don’t always get good service or even internet at all, especially in national parks or on long highways in remote areas. No internet means you can’t add stops like gas stations or markets to your route. No internet means you can’t find new routes in case you get lost. No internet means you can’t travel anywhere other than your current destination. You’re stuck on the route you’re going to take – that’s it.
If you’re traveling in an area you don’t know much about and want to get there smoothly, internet is almost a necessity for all the reasons I mentioned above.
that is, Unless you have an offline map.
If you’re planning a road trip or traveling to a place where the internet may not be strong or available, you should know how to download a map of the area on Google Maps.
Here’s what you need to know.
Want to see other Google Maps tips and tricks? Check How to blur your house on Google Maps and Three Google Maps Features you’ll definitely want to know about.
How to download Google Maps offline
First, you won’t download all of Google Maps in full. Instead, before traveling, you’ll need to download a specific area, which may be a city, county, or region where you’ll be spending time and where service may not be available on your phone.
To download a map from Google Maps offline, open the Google Maps app on iOS or Android and tap your profile picture in the upper right corner (you must be signed in to a Google Account to do this). In the menu that appears, click Offline Maps > Choose your own map.
You can download multiple Google Maps areas offline.
Use your finger to place the map you want to download within the rectangular border. Use one finger to move around the map and pinch with two fingers to zoom in and out. As you move around the map, you’ll see that downloads will take up storage space on your phone. Once you’re satisfied with the area, tap download.
notes: Alternatively, you can enter a city or other area into Google Maps and click download A button appears in the pull-up window to download maps offline, but this only works on iPhones.
Read more: Google Maps Cheat Sheet: The Most Useful Tips
You must be connected to Wi-Fi to download maps. If you want to download via cellular network, please visit Offline map page, click the gear icon in the upper right corner, click When to download offline maps and select Via Wi-Fi or mobile network. After downloading the map you will be sent back Offline map page where you can view all offline maps.
You can only download maps up to 250 MB in size (the size shown in the selected map is roughly the size of Maine).
Now you can use Google Maps even if you’re offline in the area you downloaded – and only in that area. You won’t get extremely accurate travel times or alternative route options because traffic and other road issues aren’t taken into account, but you’ll get a rough idea of ​​how long your trip will take. Transit, cycling, and walking directions are also not available offline, only driving directions.
When you see the little cloud icon with a line through it in Google Maps, you’re using offline maps.
If you want more tips on Google, be sure to read What Google Home settings you need to change ASAP and Our picks for the best Pixel phones.
