How to Download Google Maps Offline Before Traveling

Cell service can disappear in the mountains, on rural highways, or in another country. When that happens, your map app stops working right when you need it most. Google Maps has a built-in feature that lets you download a map of any area to your phone ahead of time. Once it is saved, you can search for places, get driving directions, and see your location even when you have no signal at all. This is one of the best things you can do before any trip.

The map you download stays on your phone for up to a year. You can save several different areas, like the city you are visiting plus the route to get there. Google Maps will use the offline map automatically when you lose service, then switch back to the live online version once you are connected again. You will not get live traffic updates while offline. But you will still get turn-by-turn driving directions, which is what matters most when you are lost.

Before you start, make sure your phone has enough free storage space. A typical city map uses around 200 to 500 megabytes. If your phone is nearly full, delete some old photos or apps first. We also recommend downloading the maps while you are on home Wi-Fi, since downloading over cell data can use up your monthly data allowance quickly.

This works on both iPhone and Android phones, and the steps are nearly the same on each. If you do not already have the Google Maps app, you can download it free from the App Store on iPhone or the Play Store on Android. Once you are set up, the whole process takes only a few minutes per area. And it can save you a lot of stress on your trip.