Losing your internet connection when trying to navigate isn’t a fun moment. Whether you’re driving or walking to your destination, it can throw a spanner in the works.
But Google Maps offers a good hack: you can download offline maps to help you reach your location even if your phone has zero bars. This tool is perfect for when you’ve planned a trip ahead of time and know exactly where you’re heading — or, if you want to be able to navigate a specific city. Downloading the map in advance is good insurance, especially in spotty WiFi zones.
Here’s how to do it.
How to download Google Maps
5 min.
iPhone or Android
Google Maps app
Step 1:
Open the Google Maps app on your phone.
Step 2:
Click on the profile icon at the top right of the screen.
Step 3:
Choose “offline maps.”
Credit: Meera Navlakha / Google Maps
Step 4:
Click “select your own map”.
Credit: Meera Navlakha / Google Maps
Step 5:
Here, move your map to the area you want to download.
Google Maps will indicate how much storage the download will require depending on the size of the location.
Credit: Meera Navlakha / Google Maps
Step 6:
Click “download”.
Step 7:
Bonus: you can also search for a specific city and click “download”.
Credit: Screenshot / Google Maps.
Here’s a few more tips and tricks for using Google Maps while you’re at it.
