If you are going to visit a place where access to the internet is not available (or if you’re running low on data) and you’re wondering how can I use google maps without internet? Well, the good news is that Google Maps lets you download your maps for times when you are offline, by choice or by chance!
First, while you still have an active internet connection, download all your offline maps for whatever areas you want. Once downloaded, those maps remain accessible for 30 days, even when you do not have a working internet connection. So folks that do a lot of driving, especially in spots without data coverage, downloading your maps is a fantastic option to literally keep you on track!
First, make sure you are signed into Google Maps using your Google (Gmail) account’s credentials. Google gives us a few ways to download maps:
#1 Search for a Place
In the top Search Bar, type in a location by name (like Santa Fe, NM)
Once the map populates, look towards the bottom of your screen and tap the location’s name
Under the Directions Button, tap Download (if available)
If you don’t see the Download option, press the top More button (…) and select Download offline map > Download
Move or Zoom In/Out on the Map Selector Tool to choose your map specs
Google Maps provides an estimate on how much storage that map requires and lets you know how much space is available on your device. Pretty neat!
Tap Download to get the map!
Be patient. A large map often takes time
#2 Use the Offline Maps Option
Open Google Maps and tap the upper-left main menu
Select Offline maps (also called offline areas)
From the offline maps menu, look under Download an offline map and choose either Local or Custom Map
With Custom, you specify the area of the map you’d like to download to your device
Move the Map Selector tool to contain your desired location and boundaries
Local downloads a map of your current location
Once you identify the area you want your Google Map to cover, the app gives you an approximate size of the map download AND lets you know how much storage is currently available on your device
If you accept, tap Download to add that map to your Offline Maps
Do Offline Maps Show Current Car Position?
When you download the offline maps from Google Maps, it also downloads the data necessary for navigation and directions.
Using your iPhone’s GPS, Google Maps is still able to plot your position on an offline map that you previously downloaded to your device. Consequently, offline maps do indicate where you are on the map as you drive. However, things like thick forests or tall buildings may obstruct the GPS signal and lead to vehicle position variances.
However, with offline maps, you won’t get local traffic reports unless you can connect to the internet. Offline maps do not show traffic congestion information because traffic information needs to be downloaded using an internet connection.
Offline Maps Offer the Following
Show most points of interest, addresses, streets, and geographical features
Save your cellular data
Update over WiFi, when connected
Since real-time traffic information isn’t available, an offline map might put you on a route that has an accident or a lot of traffic because the map cannot fetch real-time data without an internet connection
Good for trips where you can’t or don’t want to be online all the time
We hope that you found this short tip useful!
Please let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or would like to share one of your favorite Google Maps Tips.
For most of her professional life, Amanda Elizabeth (Liz for short) trained all sorts of folks on how to use media as a tool to tell their own unique stories. She knows a thing or two about teaching others and creating how-to guides!
Her clients include Edutopia, Scribe Video Center, Third Path Institute, Bracket, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Big Picture Alliance.
Elizabeth received her Master of Fine Arts degree in media making from Temple University, where she also taught undergrads as an adjunct faculty member in their department of Film and Media Arts.
Hi, a couple questions; What is the expiration for offline maps, especially if I don’t open the app for a few months at a time? It seems to be just 30 days—meh. GM seems very slow in areas without Wi-Fi and with poor 4G, maybe because my offline region is VERY large and dense (Maine to Richmond, Nantucket to Pittsburgh). Would performance improve if I broke this into 4-5 maps? But again, frustrating if I have to recreate each time I travel, often last minute. 256 so no space issue. Thanks.
(and when will GM include a trucker option so they are not put on NY region parkways with low bridges—seems simple)
Currently, these features are not options for offline maps in Google Maps.
A workaround this is to save places BEFORE you’re in an area where network access is limited and you need to use the Google Map.
To save places ahead of time:
1. Open Google Maps
2. Locate the places you want to save on the map
3. Tap the name of the location
4. Underneath the location’s details, tap bookmark icon to save
5. Pick from Favorites, Want to go, Starred places or create a new list
6. Repeat these 5 steps to add more places
7. When you are using the offline map, take a look at your saved locations
At this time, Google does not support offline maps for other transit sources than autos.
According to Google Maps, “you can get driving directions offline, but not transit, bicycling, or walking directions. In your driving directions, you won’t have traffic info, alternate routes, or lane guidance.”
If you have an active internet connection and allow Google Maps to access data when connecting via mobile data (which you need for live traffic advice) then the app defaults to the real-time map.
So, from what we understand you cannot use an offline map AND get live traffic updates. It seems that Google Maps will only access that downloaded map if it detects a loss or a slow down in the internet connection.
Hi, a couple questions; What is the expiration for offline maps, especially if I don’t open the app for a few months at a time? It seems to be just 30 days—meh. GM seems very slow in areas without Wi-Fi and with poor 4G, maybe because my offline region is VERY large and dense (Maine to Richmond, Nantucket to Pittsburgh). Would performance improve if I broke this into 4-5 maps? But again, frustrating if I have to recreate each time I travel, often last minute. 256 so no space issue. Thanks.
(and when will GM include a trucker option so they are not put on NY region parkways with low bridges—seems simple)
How can I use an offline custom map with the possibility to open icon description and photos?
Hi Carlos,
Currently, these features are not options for offline maps in Google Maps.
A workaround this is to save places BEFORE you’re in an area where network access is limited and you need to use the Google Map.
To save places ahead of time:
1. Open Google Maps
2. Locate the places you want to save on the map
3. Tap the name of the location
4. Underneath the location’s details, tap bookmark icon to save
5. Pick from Favorites, Want to go, Starred places or create a new list
6. Repeat these 5 steps to add more places
7. When you are using the offline map, take a look at your saved locations
I successfully downloaded maps for offline use.
I am wondering if there is a way to also download routes that I have created.
I am a cyclist, and I have a specific type to ride overseas, in a place where I won’t have internet access.
Is there a way for this track to be downloaded also?
Hi David,
At this time, Google does not support offline maps for other transit sources than autos.
According to Google Maps, “you can get driving directions offline, but not transit, bicycling, or walking directions. In your driving directions, you won’t have traffic info, alternate routes, or lane guidance.”
Hopefully, Google adds these options soon!
Liz
But can I use an offline google map whilst accessing their live traffic advice somehow? It would be handy to know.
Hi Mike,
If you have an active internet connection and allow Google Maps to access data when connecting via mobile data (which you need for live traffic advice) then the app defaults to the real-time map.
So, from what we understand you cannot use an offline map AND get live traffic updates. It seems that Google Maps will only access that downloaded map if it detects a loss or a slow down in the internet connection.