This secret setting prevents Google Maps from wasting data while driving
Google Maps has a nice little feature that lets you download entire regions or areas to your device for offline use. These offline maps work like normal maps: you can search for locations, request driving directions, and use the route navigator. Let me show you how you can set it up in advance for your next trip.
Why should you use offline maps
How the “Offline Maps” feature works is by selecting an area on a map and saving it to your device. The next time you are in that area and your Internet connection is turned off, Google Maps will return to offline mode, where you can use basic navigation features without Internet access.
So, if you are planning a trip to an area where the internet connection may be spotty or unavailable, it will be a good idea to download the maps of that area in advance.
Or, if you’re on a limited data plan, you can download and update maps while you’re on Wi-Fi, and you’ll never have to use data for navigation. This way you will also save on roaming charges when traveling abroad.
Additionally, using mobile data with navigation uses a lot of power, so if you’re trying to save battery, consider switching to offline maps.
Google claims that the Maps app can detect when the network is spotty and automatically switch to offline maps, but in my experience this doesn’t work. Maps freeze or go blank on a slow connection, but if I turn off data or enable Airplane mode, offline maps activate immediately. Your mileage may vary, so I recommend testing the functionality on the device you’ll be taking with you before using offline maps in the wild.
How to properly configure offline maps
Downloading and setting up offline maps is quite simple. Start by opening the Google Maps app and tapping the profile icon at the top. Scroll down and tap “Offline Maps”.
Here we will select an offline map to download for further use. Tap the big “Select your own map” button at the bottom and select the area you want to download. Pinch to zoom and drag to move within the selection. Once you have it, tap “Download” and wait for the download to finish. That’s it. Your offline map is now ready to use.
Alternatively, you can search for a location and download its map. Use this method if you want to navigate to only one specific location rather than an unspecified region.
Tap the search bar and enter the name of the city or town you want to navigate offline. Then tap the location name in the search menu.
Below the location name, you will see a carousel of buttons: Directions, Save, Share, and More. Tap More and select “Download Offline Map”. Google Maps will automatically make a selection for you and all you have to do is press Download.
You can delete saved maps by returning to the offline maps list and tapping the three dots next to a saved map. Select “Delete”.
Manually selected maps are given auto-generated names like “Maps 1” or “Maps 2”. You can tap the three dots, select “Rename” and give it a useful name. This will also be useful if you have saved multiple maps of the same city.
How these offline maps are updated
If you are planning a long trip to a remote area using offline maps, remember that Google has placed a strict limit on this feature. Every 15 days, your device must connect to Wi-Fi so that saved maps can be updated. If your phone does not connect to the Internet for two weeks, offline maps will expire and you will lose access to your downloaded maps.
There are several ways to update maps. Sometimes Maps will automatically send you a reminder to update your saved maps. If you get this, just tap “Update” and the maps should update in the background. You can also manually update saved maps by accessing the offline map list. Find a saved map that needs updates, tap the three dots next to it and select “Update”.
By default, Maps automatically updates offline maps over Wi-Fi. You can make sure these automatic updates are enabled, so you don’t lose access when you’re on the go.
There is a gear icon at the top of the Offline Maps menu. Tap on it and make sure the toggles are all enabled. You can also change download preferences here and set offline maps to download via data as well as Wi-Fi. By default, updates use Wi-Fi only.
Features you lose
Offline maps offer driving directions only, so you can’t get walking, cycling, or public transportation directions.
Google Maps usually offers real-time traffic updates and estimates your arrival times based on those updates, but you don’t get either with offline maps. You also get alternate routes when you navigate the main route on the standard Maps app, but you lose those with offline maps. Satellite and Street View modes also don’t work.
Offline maps can save you a lot of data, especially if you’re taking a long road trip, but be sure to save your route in advance and update it every two weeks. Otherwise, you will lose access to downloaded maps.
