If you’re headed off the beaten path, our Google Maps offline guide is here to make sure you don’t stray too far from civilization. Lots of you use Google Maps, but many aren’t aware of the offline function that can be a real lifesaver if you prepare in advance. In this guide, we’ve got all the details you need to download map details and make traveling that bit easier.
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How do I download Google Maps offline?
If you’re using an Android phone, you shouldn’t have to download Google Maps to use the offline feature at all. It should come pre-installed on the phone, but if you’ve deleted it and prefer to use something like Waze instead, it’s as simple as heading to the Google Play Store and redownloading. If you’re using an iPhone, you will have to download the app, but again, it’s just a case of going to the App Store and searching for Google Maps.
How do I use Google Maps offline?
It’s worth pointing out that to use Google Maps offline, you need to know where you’re going first. As soon as you’re offline, Google Maps becomes as useless as the rest of your other apps.
Check out the instructions below on how to download local information to use Google Maps offline.
- Open Google Maps
- Select your profile in the top right of the screen
- Hit the ‘offline maps’ option
- Press ‘select your own map’
- Use the window to select the area you need maps information for
- Hit ‘download’
You can also save maps of a specific location, like London or Seattle, by following the steps below.
- Open Google Maps
- Search for a location such as Seattle
- Select the location and pull the menu up to cover the map
- Select the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen
- Hit ‘download offline map’
- Use the window to select how much of the location you need to map
- Hit ‘download’
Now, whenever you need to use Google Maps offline, you can simply go to your saved offline maps and find your way to wherever you’re going. Just keep in mind that offline maps expire after 15 days, so don’t prepare too far in advance for a trip.
Can I get directions from Google Maps offline?
Yes, you can get directions from Google Maps even if you’re offline. It’s not as official as downloading Maps information as we’ve shown you how to do above, but it works!
All you have to do is look up the destination you’re heading to while you still have an internet connection, and Google should cache the directions so you can use them. Obviously, your phone won’t keep up with when you’ve taken certain roads or turnings without a signal, but having some directions to go off is better than nothing at all. If you want to try it yourself, follow these instructions:
- Open Google Maps while you have an internet connection
- Search for the location you’re heading to
- Select ‘directions’
- Hit ‘start’
Why is Google Maps offline not working?
If you’ve followed all the steps above but can’t get Google Maps offline working, we’ve got a few troubleshooting suggestions below:
- Check your mobile data is off – even if you have a bad connection, Google Maps will try and connect rather than use the maps you’ve downloaded
- Check your storage – if you don’t have enough data to store Maps information, it won’t save to your phone
- Check your dates – if you downloaded Maps information over 15 days ago, it’ll be deleted and you’ll have to download it again before using Maps offline
With that, our guide to how to use Google Maps offline is complete. If you’re looking for a new phone with a more reliable signal, check out our picks for the best 5G phones and the best 4G phones. Or, if you’re going off the map entirely, see our list of the best rugged phones.
