Internet connection can be a privilege in some parts of the world.
And when traveling abroad, roaming internet is expensive and can always cost a lot. Google, fully aware of the situation, has given its users to use Google maps even when they are not connected to the internet.
When lost in nowhere, with no internet connection, but you need to get out of there, you can always turn to Google maps. With the option to use them offline, Google maps has become one of the most reliable road partners. Users can use the map, but they do not have access to route information, traffic, navigation, addresses and other data that requires internet connection. However, an offline map can help users orientate in the city, even when they are not online. Google maps in offline mode is available for both Android and iOS.
How to Use the Feature?
The process is identical for both the Operating Systems. First, you need to download the newest version of the application. For Android users, it is Google maps version 8 and for iOS users, it is version 3. These are the steps:
1. Sign into your Google account
2. In the search bar, type âOK Mapsâ anytime you view a map of a city or any location. Hit the button and start the search. You will notice a dialog at the top, asking âSave this mapâ. Hit the save button, and your map is saved
3. Now you can zoom in or out, move the map or anything else. The application downloads everything that was on the screen the moment users click âsaveâ. Therefore, it is recommended to zoom out when saving in order to get wider circle. Later, you can zoom in.
4. After you’ve selected the area you want to save, tap the âSaveâ button at the bottom of the screen. You will need to enter a name for the map in the dialogue box.
5. To access an offline map, you need to tap the person icon next to the directions on the search bar. The action takes you to your profile, where you can scroll to see your maps.
Another way to save maps is to tap on the profile icon next to the search bar. At the bottom of the page, there is a whole new section just for offline maps. There, in settings, you can save maps.
Limitations
There are certain limitations to the usage of offline maps. One is that users cannot zoom out too much. Ideally, they can save up to one half of a large city. The second limitation is that offline maps can be used only for 30 days. After that, users need to download the map again.
The Good News
However, the good news is that there is no limit on the number of maps you can save. And since maps don’t eat much memory space (approximately 10 MB per map), users with high storage can save a whole country, not just one city. That painful moment, when Google maps drops out the moment you are off the internet, is history.
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