How to navigate with maps in Android Auto without cell service
It’s easy to forget that your car’s Android Auto screen is literally your phone. So if you’re out of cell signal range, the maps you need to navigate won’t be much use. In other words, unless you’ve planned ahead, I’m going to give you two options.
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The basic option: Google Maps offline
Your first idea might be to download offline maps with Google Maps. This is certainly a solid option, and will likely be sufficient in most situations. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind to make sure it’s ready when you need it.
First, Google doesn’t let you download entire regions at once. If you’re planning a long road trip, you may need to download multiple pieces of the map to cover the entire route. Luckily, it’s pretty simple to do, but it does require some planning in advance. You’re out of luck if you’re stuck outside the selected area.
The second thing to know about offline maps in Google Maps is that they expire one year after the initial download. If you always remember to check offline maps right before a trip, it’s no big deal, but there is one simple thing you can do in case you forget. Tap the settings icon on the “Offline Maps” page and make sure “Automatic Offline Map Update” is enabled. You’ll notice that it says this will only automatically update recently used cards, so keep that in mind.
How to use Google Maps without an Internet connection
If you’re traveling somewhere with spotty mobile network coverage or want to reduce your data costs, Google Maps can still guide you. You just need to plan ahead. Here’s how to download maps for offline use, what cached maps can do in a pinch, and what it’s like to use Google Maps without an internet connection.
The advanced option: OsmAnd Maps
If you want a much more powerful way to navigate without a signal, you should look into OsmAnd Maps. Unlike Google’s solution, which treats offline maps as a minor secondary feature, OsmAnd is designed from the ground up to be used without cellular service. It uses OpenStreetMap data to provide detailed maps including everything from hiking trails to obscure rural roads, which Google sometimes misses.
The best part is that OsmAnd can be used for navigation on Android Auto, just like Google Maps. However, unlike Google Maps, you can download large regions of the map in one go. You can download the entire United States in one click if you really want (and have 15GB of phone storage to spare). More realistically, OsmAnd allows you to download individual states and provinces.
Since OsmAnd is intended for offline use, there are some nice additional features as well. You can save storage space by downloading the “Roads Only” map. Once you’ve downloaded a map, you can enhance it by adding “contour lines”, Wikipedia information, a 3D terrain map and even weather forecasts.
As I said, once you download the maps of your state or region into OsmAnd Maps, you can connect to your car’s head unit and use it as you would any other navigation app. You have peace of mind knowing that every turn and street name is stored locally on your device. The only “problem” is that Android Auto functionality requires a subscription, but you can get it for as little as $10 a year or a one-time purchase of $39.
Planning ahead or using a dedicated offline map app makes all the difference when exploring remote areas or passing through places where you know your carrier’s coverage is spotty. Offline Google Maps is an easy choice for most situations, but transferring your navigation tasks to OsmAnd is a definite step up if you find yourself in these situations a lot.
9 Google Maps Voice Commands Every Driver Should Know
Driving these days requires being aware and keeping your eyes completely focused on the road. Google Maps shows you plenty of information on your dashboard, but you need to keep your eyes on the road as much as possible when you’re actively driving. A good way to do this is to use voice commands.
