Google Maps is one of the most popular and useful apps for navigating the world. It provides real-time GPS navigation, traffic, transit, and local information for over 220 countries and territories. You can also discover new places, explore local neighborhoods, and find reviews and ratings for restaurants, hotels, attractions, and more.
But what if you don't have a reliable internet connection or want to save mobile data? Don't worry, you can still use Google Maps offline. You can download areas from Google Maps to your phone or tablet and use them when you're not connected to the internet. You can also save battery life by turning on Wi-Fi only mode.
In this article, we will show you how to download and use Google Maps for offline navigation. We will also share some tips and tricks to make the most of this feature. Let's get started!
To download an area from Google Maps for offline use, follow these steps:
On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app on your device. If you don't have it, you can download it from the Google Play Store. Then, search for a place you want to download, such as a city, a country, or a landmark. For example, you can search for "New York City".
After you find the place you want to download, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner of the screen. Then, select Offline maps from the menu. You will see a list of your downloaded maps and a button to select your own map.
Tap Select your own map and you will see a blue box on the map. You can zoom in or out, drag, or resize the box to adjust the area you want to save. You can also see the name and size of the area at the bottom of the screen. Try to choose an area that covers the places you want to visit or navigate.
Once you are happy with the area you selected, tap Download at the bottom right corner of the screen. You will be asked to name your offline map. You can use the suggested name or enter your own name. Then, tap Save. Your offline map will start downloading and you will see a progress bar on the screen.
If you have an SD card in your device, you can save your offline maps on it to save internal storage space. To do this, go to the Offline maps menu and tap Settings at the top right corner of the screen. Then, under Storage preferences, select Device or SD card and choose SD card. You can also change this setting anytime.
To use Google Maps offline, follow these steps:
On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app and tap your profile picture or initial at the top right corner of the screen. Then, tap Turn on Wi-Fi only from the menu. This will prevent Google Maps from using mobile data and only use Wi-Fi when available.
After turning on Wi-Fi only mode, tap Offline maps from the menu. You will see a list of your downloaded maps and their expiration dates. Tap the map you want to use and it will open on the screen.
To get directions and show routes with offline maps, tap Directions at the bottom right corner of the screen. Then, enter your destination and choose your mode of transportation (car, motorcycle, taxi, etc.). You will see a list of possible routes with their estimated time and distance. Tap Start to begin navigation.
To search for locations and access information with offline maps, tap Search here at the bottom of the screen. Then, enter a keyword or a category (such as restaurants, hotels, museums, etc.). You will see a list of nearby places that match your search. Tap any place to see its name, address, phone number, website, rating, reviews, photos, and more.
To manage offline maps and update or delete them as needed, go to the Offline maps menu and tap any map to see its details. You can see its size, expiration date, last update date, and coverage area. You can also tap Update to download any changes or new information for that map. To delete a map, tap Delete.
Here are some tips and tricks for using Google Maps offline:
As mentioned above, you can turn on Wi-Fi only mode to save battery and mobile data when using Google Maps offline. This will prevent Google Maps from using mobile data and only use Wi-Fi when available. To turn on Wi-Fi only mode, go to your profile picture or initial > Turn on Wi-Fi only.
You can customize your vehicle icon and choose from different options when using Google Maps offline. This can make your navigation more fun and personalized. To change your vehicle icon, tap the arrow icon at the bottom of the screen. Then, swipe left or right to choose from different options, such as a car, a truck, a motorcycle, a scooter, or a taxi.
You can add music to your drive by syncing Google Maps with YouTube Music, Spotify, or Apple Music. This can make your drive more enjoyable and relaxing. To sync Google Maps with your music app, tap the menu icon at the top left corner of the screen. Then, tap Settings > Navigation settings > Show media playback controls. Then, choose your music app and sign in with your account.
You can choose more eco-friendly driving options by selecting the most fuel-efficient route when using Google Maps offline. This can help you save gas and reduce your carbon footprint. To select the most fuel-efficient route, tap Directions at the bottom right corner of the screen. Then, tap Options at the top right corner of the screen. Then, under Route options, select Prefer fuel-efficient routes.
You can use Live View to get an AR view of the street you're on when using Google Maps offline. This can help you orient yourself and find your way more easily. To use Live View, tap Directions at the bottom right corner of the screen. Then, enter your destination and choose walking mode. Then, tap Live View at the bottom of the screen. You will see arrows and directions overlaid on the real world.
Google Maps is a great app for navigating the world, but you don't need an internet connection to use it. You can download and use Google Maps offline for offline navigation. You can also save battery and mobile data by turning on Wi-Fi only mode. You can also customize your vehicle icon, add music to your drive, choose more eco-friendly driving options, and use Live View to get an AR view of the street you're on.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to download and use Google Maps offline. Try it out and let us know what you think in the comments below. Happy navigating!
Here are some frequently asked questions about downloading and using Google Maps offline:
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