Google Maps is one of the most popular and best browsing services, but it is not without fail. One of the main complaints is that it works best with a reliable data connection, something we do not always have outside the city. Fortunately, Google Maps can be used offline, but this great feature becomes useless without some proactive procedures. At the moment your phone says “No service”, Google Maps suddenly disconnects. This is unless you have saved your cards to access offline. However, after reading today’s article “How to use the Google Offline Card”, you can store large areas of cards for advice even when you are stuck without receiving.
The process is the same for iOS and Android. Before we dive into the process, take a moment to visit the App Store on your iOS device or Play Store on your Android device and check for updates to Google Maps. The methods mentioned in this article work in updated versions of Google Map.
After verifying that you have the latest version, start Google Maps on your respective device and find the zone you want to save for offline access.
Google Maps displays the area you find, with the name that appears at the bottom of the screen. You must download the area of interest before you can use Google Maps offline. That’s what we mean when we say that things should be done in a “proactive” way. The map area must be downloaded before leaving the secure connection security of your city.
Then you will be assigned the task of adjusting the area to be saved by panning and zooming, ensuring the warning size limit is kept at the top of the screen. Of course, there is a lot of information when you download almost two cities and everything that separates them. Prepare to sacrifice a lot of storage space for your cards. These can take up to 1GB, depending on the area. In addition, you will have an idea of local weather conditions, photos, hotels, shops, restaurants and navigation options. You will even have a travel budget for this place based on your current location.
Touch the name. Then touch the three-dot icon in the upper right corner of your screen. Select and save an offline map. However, there is a way to download this data to an SD card, which is a relief. Simply go to Menu> Offline Zones> Settings> Storage Preferences and replace “Device” with “SD Card”.
If the affected area is considered too large, you must zoom in and repeat the process for the omitted area. Once you are satisfied, tap Save and give the offline map a name. To access your saved maps, drag the drop-down menu and select My Places from the list of options. Scroll to the bottom of the page, where you will find maps stored offline on your device.
Keep in mind that saved cards will only remain on your device for 30 days. This is mainly because the world changes almost every day. The maps are dynamic and require an update. What happens when a new street is added or an old one is closed? Maybe a new restaurant has opened in the city. Google wants you to have an updated version of your cards when you are not signed in. Presumably, after that, the app will purge a saved card to clear the space on your device.
You can also do the automatic update with the Google map today. Just go to the Offline Maps setting and enable automatic updates. This will ensure that your offline maps are periodically updated when they expire. You can even choose to update only when you’re using Wi-Fi, making sure your valuable gigabytes are not wasted.
Things to consider when using Google Maps offline
There are disadvantages in Google Maps offline. Here are some things that are missing from the offline maps available on Google Maps Live:
- Transit routes are not available on offline maps.
- Cycling and walking routes are not available.
- Live traffic will not be used.
- Travel estimates will not be as accurate.
- Routes cannot be changed (avoiding them is not an option).
Conclusion
There are other tools available for offline maps. Some maps like maps.me or Apple, etc., allow you to download everything at the same time, while others offer downloads of cities, states, and countries. If you are a hunter or explore areas outside the network, these cards may be a better option. I hope you like to read “How to use the offline Google map”. However, for most trips and the needs of tourists, Google Maps does a great job showing you what’s around you, how long it will take to get there and now you can even use these maps if you’re stuck in data or just a slow connection
I am Mr. 9jaboizgist, a dedicated content writer and the proud owner of 9jaboizgist, a versatile blog covering a wide array of topics. With a passion for blogging and a knack for delivering up-to-the-minute information, I specialize in curating engaging content in the fields of technology, business, finance, banking, loans, insurance, and the Internet.