How to use Google Maps in offline mode for iOS & Android

With Google’s announcement yesterday, Google Maps is starting to add back in some of the old traditional features, which were discarded with the last update such as Offline Mode. Even though there was a method for caching offline maps in the previous versions of Google Maps, it lacked intuition and efficiency. The new version makes it easier to save a section for offline use as well as accessing these sections later when you’re without a connection.

The process is identical on both iOS and Android.

First, you’ll need to install the update. The iOS version is now at 3.0, while Android is at 8.0. Android updates are released at a slower rate so users will need to keep checking to see when it becomes available.

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Once you have the updated version, launch the app and tap on the profile icon located next to the search bar. Then scroll to the bottom of the page.

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Here there is a new section dedicated solely to offline maps. There was about two methods for saving a section for offline use; the first is in the settings, or by typing “OK Maps” into the search bar at any time when viewing a map.

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After activating the save dialogue, you’re can zoom in and out of an area and save it to your device. If the area is too large, you’ll be asked you zoom in, name the area, and save it.

Please bear in mind any saved maps will only remain on your device for 30 days.