Google Maps requires an active internet connection to work. This applies to turn-by-turn directions or when you need to look up directions to a particular place. If you know where you are going and you suspect that you will not have an Internet connection, you can save a map offline.
View offline maps – Google Maps
Google Maps offers offline maps. These maps are for a particular area of your choice and you must download them in advance, that is, before you need to use them. Offline maps are available on both iOS and Android. They are not available on the desktop.
Save Maps Offline – Google Maps
The first step in viewing a map offline is saving it. Remember, you must have an internet connection to be able to do this.
- Open Google Maps on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture and select Offline Maps from the menu.
- Touch Select your own map.
- Place the area of the map you want to download.
- Give the map a name so you know where it is.
- The map will download when connected to a WiFi network.
View offline maps – Google Maps
Once a map has been downloaded, it can be viewed offline.
- Open Google Maps on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture and select Offline Maps from the menu.
- You will see a list of the maps that you have saved offline.
- Select the map you want to use.
- Come closer if you have to.
Expiration and map updates
Maps are not stored indefinitely, however they are stored for a reasonably long time – one year. They will be automatically deleted after one year. If you use / open a map offline, its expiration is extended. Maps will update in the background when connected to a WiFi network; however, the update may not complete or may require Google Maps to be open while the update is in progress.
To manually update an offline map, select it in the offline maps list and tap the Refresh button.
conclusion
Offline maps are saved with street level details. You do not need to zoom in when you are saving the map to get the street names. The offline map will not be able to give you turn-by-turn directions and you will have to read it yourself to figure out where to go. When saving a map, make it accurate. You will not benefit from saving an additional area around a map and zooming will limit the data you save.