How to use Google Maps offline or without data?

If you are a regular user of Google Maps on your mobile or in your car, with Android Auto, you already know that this application depends on your device's internet connection to show you the route to follow. This can be a problem in certain areas where the coverage of your mobile operator is low or non-existent. Also, even with a good connection, it may not be very fast, limiting the use of this application. Finally, another problem that you may encounter is that your rate data has been consumed and therefore does not allow you to use Google Maps.

To avoid any of these inconveniences, Google, which thinks of everything, offers the option of downloading the maps and information of a specific area, thus avoiding depending on the Internet connection for its use.

Next, we explain how you should configure this option in the different devices where it can be installed, either in the application integrated in the car screen, or in mobile devices, Android or Apple (IOS).

To configure the download of maps from Google Maps on the screen of your vehicle, you must follow these steps:

• Open Settings
• Click on Privacy Center
• Click on Offline Maps
• Select the option “Download offline maps automatically”
• Wait for the offline map to download

The application will select the area of the map that you usually use and download it so that it does not require a connection to indicate you within it.

To configure the download of maps from Google Maps on an Android device, whether it is a mobile or a tablet, you must follow these steps:

• Open Google Maps
• Click on your profile picture at the top right of the screen
• Click on “Offline Maps”
• Click on “Select your own map”
• Mark the map area you want to download, the one you are going to use. At the bottom it will indicate the size of the download.
• Click on “Download”

When you enter “Offline Maps” you will also see the option to download “Recommended Maps”, an automatic map area selection made by the application based on the area where you usually move .

To configure the download of maps from Google Maps on an Apple device, with an IOS operating system, whether it is an iPhone or an iPad, you must follow these steps:

• Open Google Maps
• Click on your profile picture at the top right of the screen
• Click on “Offline Maps”
• Click on “Select your own map”
• Mark the map area you want to download, the one you are going to use. At the bottom it will indicate the size of the download.
• Click “Download”

Downloading a map won't stop you from using your connection data: When you download a map, you can use the Google Maps app as you normally would. If you don't have a slow internet connection, Google Maps will use offline maps to give you directions.

If what you want is to always use the offline mode, even if you have a connection, you must activate the option “Only Wifi” that you will find by clicking on your profile image and then clicking on Settings.

With this option you will not spend the data of your 4G connection and you will also notice a lower battery consumption when using the application to guide you to a destination.

This offline mode has some limitations:

• When offline, you can get driving directions, but not public transportation, biking, or walking directions.
• Information about the traffic, alternate routes, or lane directions.

If you don't have Wi-Fi Only turned on, as soon as you have a 4G connection, the data will update and you'll be able to see all those options.

To delete a downloaded map that you no longer need, and thus free up memory space on your device, you must go back to "Offline Maps", by clicking on your profile image (in the upper right area of the screen), click on the map you want to delete and click on “Delete”.

Downloaded maps have an expiration date, to prevent them from containing erroneous information, such as road changes. That is why about fifteen days before they expire, it will automatically try to update it only, as long as a Wi-Fi connection is available.

In case of not finding a connection, it will notify us that the map must be updated. By clicking on the message and connecting the device to a Wi-Fi network you can easily update it, renewing its expiration date.

You can also update offline maps manually by going into “Offline Maps”, clicking on the map you want to update and clicking “Update”.