Here’s What Stops Working When You Use Google Maps Offline

Getting lost is part of life’s journeys, but you don’t have to wander around without a clue. One of the many convenient features of Google Maps is the ability to download and save maps of different regions. That said, they can only contain a limited amount of information. When you move offline, you lose real-time information like traffic jams, proactive detours, and indicators of whether a business is busy or not. Turn-by-turn navigation in the registered area remains available for vehicles, but not for public transport, cycling and walking. This means that integrations with bike-sharing and ride-hailing apps are also excluded, Google says. Points of interest on a saved map remain visible, but you won’t see reviews, photos, or Google Street View images for that crucial visual confirmation of location.

That said, an offline map retains many essential details. This can come in handy around town if and when the next internet outage occurs. But it can also be a problem for travelers who know they won’t be covered or, at the very least, cash-strapped on even the most affordable eSIMs. The size of an offline map can range from mere megabytes for a metropolitan area to gigabytes when you maximize the view to an area approximately 150 miles latitude by 300 miles longitude, enough width for a day trip or three.

You can save a map by searching for a city or region, scrolling down the bar at the top of the list, selecting More, then “Download offline map.” You can also tap your Google account avatar in the Maps app and select “Offline Maps” to manage and add to your catalog. If you have an Android Auto system or a system with Apple CarPlay, plug origins and destinations into a saved map area to get turn-by-turn navigation as you drive and save the scrolling for later. Even offline, you can still filter priority non-toll, non-motorway and HOV routes. Travel times shown are estimates based on light traffic conditions.

You can always search for points of interest and see the address and phone number of a location in the list as well as recently posted opening hours. Google will also display the average rating out of five as well as the number of ratings. You can also save specific locations for later access and use the Notes field in a saved location list when you’re on Wi-Fi at the hotel, restaurant, or store so you can note additional crucial information, such as whether a restaurant meets dietary requirements or entry price. If you know you’ll be out of service range later, at least you won’t be left in the dark.