{"id":27055,"date":"2012-06-28T16:18:57","date_gmt":"2012-06-28T10:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=27055"},"modified":"2026-10-12T15:43:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T10:13:44","slug":"download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Download Google Maps for Offline Use (Android &#038; iPhone, 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In June 2012 Google Maps for Android first let you save maps of a city and view them without a data connection, a big help for travellers facing expensive roaming. Today you can <strong>download Google Maps offline<\/strong> on both Android and iPhone, get turn-by-turn driving directions without internet, and keep maps updated automatically. Here&#8217;s how.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-google-maps-offline-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Download Google Maps offline\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-google-maps-offline-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-google-maps-offline-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-google-maps-offline-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-google-maps-offline-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/download-google-maps-offline.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Open the Google Maps app while online, tap your profile picture &gt; <strong>Offline maps<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Select your own map<\/strong>, adjust the blue box over the area you need, and tap Download. The map is saved on your phone, and GPS will show your location and give driving directions even with mobile data turned off.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aedb228a5f9f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aedb228a5f9f\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#How_to_download_Google_Maps_offline\" >How to download Google Maps offline<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#On_Android\" >On Android<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#On_iPhone_and_iPad\" >On iPhone and iPad<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#What_works_offline\" >What works offline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#Manage_offline_maps\" >Manage offline maps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#Offline_maps_not_working\" >Offline maps not working?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#Does_Google_Maps_offline_use_data\" >Does Google Maps offline use data?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#How_big_can_an_offline_map_area_be\" >How big can an offline map area be?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/06\/download-google-maps-browse-maps-offline\/#Can_I_use_Google_Maps_offline_abroad\" >Can I use Google Maps offline abroad?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_download_Google_Maps_offline\"><\/span>How to download Google Maps offline<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On_Android\"><\/span>On Android<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Connect to Wi-Fi and open Google Maps.<\/li>\n<li>Tap your profile picture (top right) &gt; Offline maps.<\/li>\n<li>Tap Select your own map, move and zoom the box to cover your area.<\/li>\n<li>Tap Download. Check the estimated size first.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On_iPhone_and_iPad\"><\/span>On iPhone and iPad<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture &gt; Offline maps.<\/li>\n<li>Tap Select your own map, frame the area and tap Download.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Tip: you can also search for a city, tap its name at the bottom, then tap the three-dot menu &gt; Download offline map.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_works_offline\"><\/span>What works offline<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Works:<\/strong> viewing the map, searching places within the area, your GPS location, and driving directions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Doesn&#8217;t work:<\/strong> transit, cycling and walking directions, live traffic, alternate routes, and photos or reviews.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Manage_offline_maps\"><\/span>Manage offline maps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Auto-update:<\/strong> in Offline maps &gt; Settings (gear icon), turn on Auto-update offline maps so they refresh over Wi-Fi.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Expiry:<\/strong> maps that aren&#8217;t updated expire after about a year.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Storage:<\/strong> on Android you can save offline maps to an SD card from the same settings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Delete:<\/strong> tap a saved map &gt; Delete to free space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Offline_maps_not_working\"><\/span>Offline maps not working?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Make sure location services and GPS are on.<\/li>\n<li>Some countries or regions don&#8217;t allow offline downloads due to local restrictions.<\/li>\n<li>Update the Google Maps app and refresh the map if it has expired.<\/li>\n<li>Check you have enough free storage before downloading large areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>More Google Maps tips: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2011\/08\/google-maps-weather-forecast\/\">see the weather forecast on Google Maps<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/07\/google-maps-send-to-car-navigation\/\">send directions to your car<\/a>. For reading offline, try <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/08\/download-full-wikipedia-content-offline\/\">downloading Wikipedia with Kiwix<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Google_Maps_offline_use_data\"><\/span>Does Google Maps offline use data?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Once downloaded, maps and GPS work without mobile data. Only updates need a connection.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_big_can_an_offline_map_area_be\"><\/span>How big can an offline map area be?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Each saved area has a size limit, roughly a large region. Save several areas if you need more coverage.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_use_Google_Maps_offline_abroad\"><\/span>Can I use Google Maps offline abroad?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Download maps on Wi-Fi before you travel and keep roaming data off. More details are on <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Google&#8217;s offline maps help page<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In June 2012 Google Maps for Android first let you save maps of a city and view them without a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-google"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27055"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64660,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27055\/revisions\/64660"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}