Create and Use Custom Travel Maps (Even on Mobile) This is faster, reduces the amount of data you’re using, and covers you in spotty coverage areas. PS: It’s worth downloading offline maps even if you’ll have a data connection while traveling, since the app will still use the saved version if it can. To manage the areas you’ve already downloaded, tap the menu icon in the search box, then choose “Offline maps”.

Zoom in or out to select the exact area you want, then tap Download. Swipe up from the bottom to get more information, and tap the Download button. To download a map, search for any address (or just the name of a city or region) in the app.

You can only get driving directions (not walking or cycling) while offline, but you can still see where you are and find any address or landmark just by searching for it. Due to licensing, language and other restrictions, not every country has offline maps available, but most do. You’ll want to download them over Wi-Fi, since the maps can be quite large.

You can do this for as many cities or regions as you like (or at least, as you have storage space for), then delete them when you’re done. You can even keep your phone in flight mode while navigating, since GPS will still work. While the company has messed around with offline support a lot over the years, it now lets you reliably download maps to the app ahead of time and use them while traveling. In a world where roaming data is typically still expensive, slow, or both, this is a huge bonus. Let’s get this one out the way right off the bat: you don’t need an internet connection to use the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet. Who Needs Internet When You’ve Got Offline Maps? Make Home and Work Have a Whole New Meaning

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