How to Use Google Maps Offline on Android & iPhone (Full Guide 2025)

Google Maps is essential for navigation, but let’s face it—nothing’s more frustrating than needing directions when you’re stuck without an internet connection.

Whether you’re abroad without data, exploring rural trails, or just trying to conserve mobile usage, offline navigation can be a lifesaver.

Thankfully, Google Maps allows you to download maps ahead of time so you can confidently navigate even without connectivity.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to download and use Google Maps offline on Android and iOS, ensuring you’re never stranded without directions again.

Why Use Google Maps Offline?

Picture this: you’re traveling abroad without a local SIM, hiking in remote mountains, or cruising rural roads where signal strength is nonexistent.

These scenarios highlight exactly why Google Maps’ offline feature is incredibly useful. Offline maps eliminate anxiety about losing signal by providing reliable turn-by-turn directions, even with zero bars on your phone.

It’s the ultimate navigation backup for international travelers and outdoor adventurers alike.

Using offline maps isn’t just convenient—it’s also budget-friendly.

If you’re wary of hefty roaming charges or limited mobile data plans, downloading maps ahead of time lets you navigate without incurring extra costs.

Additionally, offline maps help conserve battery life since your phone doesn’t continuously stream data in the background.

Whether you’re road-tripping, backpacking, or traveling internationally, Google Maps offline ensures you stay oriented without draining your wallet or battery.

How to Download Google Maps for Offline Use

Google Maps allows you to download specific areas of the map to your device so you can access them later without internet.

Before starting, make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi (offline map downloads can be large) and signed in to your Google account in the Google Maps app. The steps are very similar for Android and iPhone, with only minor differences in the interface. We’ll outline the process for each:

Downloading Offline Maps on Android

• Open the Google Maps app on your Android phone or tablet. Ensure you’re online and logged into your Google account.
• Tap your profile picture (or initial) in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the menu.
• Select “Offline maps.” This will show previously saved maps and allow new downloads.

• Tap “Select Your Own Map.” A map interface appears with a rectangle indicating the downloadable area.
• Adjust the rectangle to cover your desired area. Google Maps will show storage requirements.
• Tap “Download.” Google Maps will begin saving the selected area to your device.

You can repeat this process to save multiple map areas. All downloaded maps can be managed in the Offline maps section.

Downloading Offline Maps on iPhone (iOS)

• Open Google Maps on your iPhone or iPad. Ensure you have internet connectivity (Wi-Fi recommended) and are signed into your Google account.
• Tap your profile picture (top-right corner), then select “Offline Maps.”
• Tap “Select Your Own Map” to choose a specific region.
• Adjust the area within the blue rectangle to include the desired offline location.
• Tap “Download.” The area will save to your iPhone for offline access.

On iOS, you can also download maps directly by searching for a place and tapping the “Download” button on its information card, if available. All downloaded offline maps can be accessed and managed through the Offline Maps menu.

Using Google Maps Offline (Android & iOS)

After downloading a map area, using Google Maps offline is straightforward. Google Maps automatically switches to offline data when connectivity is poor or nonexistent. When offline, you’ll typically see a lightning bolt icon or a cloud with a line through it indicating offline mode.

• Search for destinations offline: You can search for addresses, places, and businesses within your downloaded area. Essential data like names, locations, and basic info remain accessible.
• Get driving directions: Enter a destination, and Google Maps will provide offline turn-by-turn navigation, including voice-guided directions.
• View maps and your location: You can pan, zoom, and see street details. GPS will show your current location as a blue dot, even without data.

However, remember offline Google Maps has limitations. Features like transit, bicycling, and walking directions require internet access. You also won’t get real-time traffic updates, street view, detailed business hours/reviews, or lane guidance offline.

Tip: If you’re partially online, enable “Wi-Fi only” mode to ensure Google Maps prioritizes offline maps and saves mobile data. Just switch this mode off later if you need live updates again.

Managing and Updating Offline Maps

Downloading Google Maps offline isn’t a one-and-done deal – you’ll want to manage those saved maps over time. Here are some best practices and tips to keep in mind:

• Update your offline maps regularly: Google’s maps data changes often (roads update, businesses open/close, etc.), so the offline maps eventually expire to ensure you get fresh data. In fact, downloaded Google Maps areas expire after about 15 days if not updated​. To avoid losing your maps mid-trip, enable the auto-update feature. Go to Offline Maps > Settings (gear icon) and turn on Auto-update offline maps​. This way, whenever your device is on Wi-Fi, it will refresh your saved maps automatically every couple of weeks with the latest data​.

• Storage considerations: Offline map files can be large, especially for big cities or regions. Google Maps will show you the file size before downloading – for example, downloading a whole city might take a few hundred MB of space. Make sure you have enough storage on your device. If you’re an Android user with an SD card, you can even store offline maps on external storage. In Offline Maps > Settings, look for Storage preferences and switch to SD card to save space on your phone​.

• Manage multiple maps: You can download multiple areas and they will be listed under Offline Maps. It’s a good idea to name your offline maps (especially on Android) if you save many regions. After downloading, tap the three-dot “more” menu next to a map name in the Offline Maps list and choose Rename – give it a clear name like “Paris Trip” or “Home City”​. This makes it easier to organize your maps if you have several saved.

• Delete maps you no longer need: To save space, delete offline maps once you’re done with them. In the Offline Maps menu, tap the map and choose delete (trash icon) to remove it. You can always download it again later. Auto-update will also clean up outdated data, but it’s good to manually remove any maps you won’t use anymore.

• Download on Wi-Fi before you go: Always download needed maps while you have a reliable internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi) before you travel or go offline. The downloads can be data-intensive, so you don’t want to do it on a weak or costly connection. By planning ahead, you ensure the maps are ready when you need them. As Google’s blog notes, all that’s required on your part is a little bit of planning​.

• Check for updates before a long trip: If you downloaded a map a while ago and are about to rely on it, go into Offline Maps and tap “Update” (if available) to refresh it. This resets the expiration clock and downloads any changes. It’s an extra step to make sure you have the latest roads and routes.

• Know the coverage of your offline area: Offline maps only let you navigate within the downloaded area. If you stray outside it, the app may not have data for those new areas. For example, if you downloaded a map of one city and you drive beyond its bounds, you’ll lose the detailed map once outside that region (unless you regain internet or have another offline map covering it). Plan to download maps for all areas of your route or destination to avoid gaps. You can download pretty large regions – even entire counties or multi-city areas – but extremely large areas might need to be saved as multiple chunks.

• Offline navigation works for driving only: As mentioned, other modes like walking or transit won’t compute new routes offline​. If you need walking directions, one workaround is to pre-load them while online (or use a dedicated offline app). But for most driving trips, Google Maps offline will serve you well.

• Verify offline mode before you rely on it: It’s a good idea to test that your offline map is working before you find yourself without signal. You can do this by turning on airplane mode (or turning off cellular data) and then trying to search or route within the saved area. If things work (map loads, you can see your location and get a route), you’re set. Look for the offline icon (⚡ or a cloud with a slash) as confirmation​. This little test can give peace of mind that you downloaded the correct area.

Use Cases for Offline Maps

Still wondering when you’d realistically use Google Maps offline? Here are some common use cases:

International Travel

When traveling overseas, mobile data can be expensive or unavailable. Download your destination city or country map over Wi-Fi at home or in a hotel, and you’ll have a reliable GPS even without a local SIM.

Many travelers download maps for entire regions before a big trip. For instance, if you’re backpacking through South America, you might save maps for each major city or region on your itinerary. That way, you can find hotels, landmarks, and driving routes offline wherever you go.

Road Trips Through Dead Zones

If you’re hitting the open road, especially through national parks, mountains, or rural highways, cell reception can be hit-or-miss. Offline maps ensure you won’t get lost when your phone shows “No Service.”

For example, a camper driving through remote Utah might download the map for the whole state or specific park areas in advance. Even when off-grid, Google Maps will still plot your route and location offline, preventing navigation panic in the wilderness.

Commuting with Limited Data

Maybe you have a limited data plan and don’t want Google Maps chewing through your MBs every day. If you commute through areas you know, you can save those city maps offline and use them daily without using data.

Your drive to work or school can be navigated with GPS offline, and you’ll avoid any surprise data charges. (Just note you won’t get traffic alerts, but you can plan around that if needed.)

Saving Battery Life

Constantly streaming map data and live updates can drain battery. In scenarios where you need your phone to last longer (say, an all-day hike using your phone’s GPS), using offline maps can help.

The Maps app isn’t fetching data in the background, so in theory it’s a bit lighter on battery usage. Combine this with your phone’s battery saver mode and you have a navigation tool that’s more power-efficient for long outings.

Areas with Expensive or Slow Internet

Even if you’re not traveling, some areas have slow networks. If you know your connection will be unreliable (like at a large crowded event or in underground tunnels), downloading maps beforehand is wise.

The map will load instantly from storage, whereas online it might struggle. This can be a lifesaver if you’re in a hurry and the network is crawling.

In short, Google Maps offline is your backup navigation plan. Think of it as downloading your own personal map booklet on your phone that works anywhere, anytime – no signal required.

Google Maps Offline FAQs

You may still have a few questions about how Google Maps offline works. Here we answer some common queries:

Can I use Google Maps offline without any internet at all?

Yes. Once you’ve downloaded an offline map area, you can fully use Google Maps in that area without internet. You’ll be able to search for locations and get driving directions offline. Just remember to download the map beforehand while you have a connection. The GPS on your phone does not require internet, so your location dot and movement will still appear on the offline map.

Do I need to stay signed in or keep my Google account active for offline maps?

Yes, you should remain signed in to the Google Maps app. The offline maps feature requires a Google account to download and access the saved areas. If you sign out, you might lose access to your downloaded maps. It’s best to stay logged in until you no longer need the offline maps.

How long do offline maps last? Will they expire?

Offline map downloads expire after a certain period—typically around 15 days—if they’re not updated. Google Maps will usually notify you that a downloaded map is about to expire. However, if you go online periodically or have auto-update enabled, the maps will refresh automatically. As long as your phone connects to the internet (Wi-Fi is fine) at least once within a couple of weeks, the offline maps will stay active. Before a big trip, manually update your maps or re-download them to reset the clock.

What exactly is not available in offline maps?

When offline, you’ll have map tiles, place names, and basic info needed for navigation. However, live services such as traffic conditions, road closures, speed trap alerts, public transit routes, bicycling routes, and walking directions are not available. Also, detailed place information like reviews, photos, or menus won’t load. Offline mode is best for basic navigation—finding locations and driving to them.

Can Google Maps offline reroute if I take a wrong turn?

Yes—if you remain within the downloaded map area, Google Maps can reroute you offline. The app contains road network data for that area and can calculate new routes as needed. However, if you stray outside the saved region, it won’t reroute until you go online or return to the covered area. Also, rerouting offline doesn’t consider real-time traffic—just estimated road speeds.

How large of an area can I download?

Google Maps allows you to download fairly large areas, but there’s a limit to how much you can grab in one go. You may not be able to download an entire country at once. The app will prompt you if the selected area is too large, and you’ll need to zoom in or split the area into chunks. A region the size of a large U.S. state is about the upper limit. Each map can take up several hundred megabytes. You can download multiple regions to cover large territories—just keep an eye on storage space.

Are there alternatives to Google Maps for offline navigation?

Yes! Several apps offer robust offline navigation capabilities:

• Sygic GPS Navigation – Offers full offline functionality with turn-by-turn directions, lane guidance, speed alerts, and even offline traffic updates (with premium features).
• HERE WeGo – Allows you to download entire country maps and offers driving, walking, and public transit directions offline.
• Maps.me – Loved by global travelers, this app provides completely offline maps with POIs, hiking trails, and local details.

These apps can be especially useful if you travel frequently or need advanced offline features.

Conclusion

Learning how to use Google Maps offline is a game-changer for navigation. With a bit of preparation, you can download your maps ahead of time and enjoy stress-free travel without worrying about internet access.

We’ve walked through downloading maps step-by-step on Android and iOS, explained how to use them offline, and offered tips to get the most out of the feature. Whether you’re wandering through a foreign city with your phone in airplane mode or driving through remote backroads, offline maps ensure Google Maps has your back.

Before your next big trip—or when you anticipate a signal dropout—take a moment to save the maps you need. It’s fast, easy, and could save you from getting lost.

Happy travels, and may your journeys always find the way—online or off!