Google Maps is a great app to have on hand when trying to find your way around an unfamiliar area. But if you don’t have a strong enough data connection for Google Maps to catch up, you’re suddenly left with a paperweight.
Yet all hope is not lost. Google Maps for iOS comes with the ability to save maps for offline use; so if you know you won’t have a signal but still need directions to your destination, offline Google Maps is the next best solution. Even if you have a data signal, using Google Maps offline can save you money by keeping you from exceeding your data limit, so offline maps certainly have advantages and are not just a backup solution.
The best part is that it’s really easy to save maps for offline use, and there are several ways to do it on iPhone. We’ll detail ways to save maps for offline use in Google Maps, as well as some must-know tips.
Instructions
You probably already know how to use Google Maps and navigate the app like a semi-pro, but if you’re still new to Google Maps, we’ll show you a step-by-step guide on how to save a map. for offline use.
Tips & Tricks
It’s pretty easy to save maps for offline use in Google Maps, but there are some things you need to know and some tips we recommend using.
First off, it’s important to note that Google Maps only saves offline maps for 30 days and will automatically delete them once they reach that point. This means it’s important not to download the maps for offline use before you need them because they will most likely be gone at that point. So, if you are going on a trip and know you will need offline maps, do this a few days in advance to know you will have maps.
Also, when you save a map for offline use it also saves all the zoom levels in the area you save, which is pretty impressive, so keep that in mind when saving a map. I generally like to save the largest area possible, especially since I know I can zoom in on the downloaded area at any level, it gives me more maps to work with.
Finally, it’s important to know that you can’t search for specific places or get directions when viewing offline maps. Getting live traffic and viewing satellite imagery also doesn’t work with offline maps. Essentially, offline maps are almost the same as just using a folding paper map, except it’s fully digital on your iPhone.