Some time ago, I got lost in a rural area with no phone signal, and that’s when I understood the importance of Google Maps offline. In this article, I will share my experience and guide you through the process of download maps and use them offline, making sure you always find your way, even in difficult situations.
As a frequent user of Google Maps and having personally experienced how useful this feature can be, I am convinced that These tips will be of great help to you. These methods, in addition to being easy, are very effective.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of Google Maps offline so you can learn how to download and use these maps when you’re offline!
How to Download a Map from Google Maps
There are two methods to use this technique with what is, along with Gmail, one of the most popular Google applications.
The first alternative allows framing the map of the place and even selecting the specific place you need. The second option, on the other hand, is the most recommended when going on a trip, since it involves doing a prior search of the city you will visit. Let’s see how each one is done, step by step.
How to download offline maps in Google Maps
You can use Google Maps as offline map app par excellence downloading the routes and maps on your mobile. These are the steps to follow:
- Enter Google Maps from your smartphone or tablet. Check that you have an Internet connection and open the main menu. Click on your profile photo.
- Now select the option Offline Maps.
- Once inside, click on “Select your own map”.
- Outline the area you want to save by outlining it with your fingers, moving sideways and zooming. Once you finish adjusting it, the application will tell you how much space does it take up. In my example, it is 105 MB. Then, click on “Download”.
And that’s it. Now all that area is in Offline Maps and you can use it whenever you want. This alternative is ideal for short tripsespecially if you don’t plan to stray far.
Download an Offline Map Searching for a Specific City
- Enter Google Maps from your mobile device. Once you verify that you have Internet and that you are logged in, search for a city. Let’s take, for example, Rome.
- Drag up the lower part where all the information about the place usually appears.
- Click on the three points in the upper right and click “Download offline map”.
- In the same way as before, Google Maps indicates the size that the download will occupy on your phone. Hit “Download”. You will now find this map in the “Offline Maps” section.
It is most recommended that you are connected to Wi-Fi to complete the procedure. Otherwise, it may take a little longer or consume a large part of your mobile data.
Keep your Maps Always Up to Date
The downside of this trick is that the maps do not receive constant updates automatically. For this reason, you should pay attention and manage the changes on your own. The way to do it is the following:
- Within Google Maps, click on your profile photo and go to “Offline Maps”.
- In the top right, click on the icon gearwhich will take you to “Settings”.
- Inside, make sure the “Automatically update offline maps” option is turned on.
All maps that have been downloaded need to be updated before they expire. If this does not happen, the application will start the update on its own, when the device enters any WiFi connection.
To save space, Google Maps will only start downloading updates to the maps that have been used recently. Besides, it also offers the alternative of starting the process only when the mobile is connected to WiFi, so you won’t spend data.
Why Use Google Maps Offline?
The main reason why I recommend you to use offline google mapsBesides being one of the best free GPS navigators for Android, it’s for your own comfort. This trick can be very useful in various situations. For example, at times when there is no WiFi signal within reach or when we do not have sufficient data or signal to connect to the Internet.
Of course, in some specific cases, such as when going camping, on vacation abroad or simply when taking a long trip away from home, forecasting can be a great ally, so it doesn’t hurt to do some research beforehand.
Remember that downloading maps can consume more megabytes than usual and if you are abroad, fees may be extra if you do not activate roaming. In any case, you can always choose to connect to the Internet for free from a public network, such as those in libraries, cafes, and airports.
Also, if you travel by car, it is perfect, since it is a app compatible with Android Auto. It is best to combine it with applications such as the Repsol Guide or compass apps.
Does Google Maps Offline have the same functions as the online version?
In my experienceI have noticed some important differences when using Google Maps offline compared to its online version:
- Limited access to routes: When we use the Google Maps application offline, we will only have access to driving routes on a vector map. This implies that we will not be able to find alternative routes or obtain information about the state of traffic on the highways. Also, we will not have access to the relief view.
- Additional means of transport not available: Another important limitation is that we will not be able to calculate the approximate distance in other means of transport, such as tram, bus, bicycle or on foot. This is because this function is only available when we are connected to the Internet.
- Unable to send route details to mobile phone: Finally, if we want to send route details to our mobile phone, we will not be able to do it without a network connection, as the information needs to be processed online.
In summary, although Google offline maps are very useful in certain cases, we must keep in mind that its functionality is more limited compared to the online version. However, it is still a valuable tool for finding our way in situations where we do not have an Internet connection.
I hope this article on how to use Google Maps offline has been useful to you and has given you a new perspective on how to get the most out of this app for travel, even in difficult situations. If you found it interesting and you think it may be of help to other people, don’t hesitate to share this article.
Also, I’d love to hear your opinions and experiences with Google Maps offline. Have you used this feature before? How has it worked for you? Do you have any additional tips to share with our community? Please, leave your comments below and let’s make this space a place to learn together.
Image credits: Unsplash