You can download a map area in Google Maps before you travel, then view it and search within it even when you have no signal

Open Google Maps on your phone, search for the place or region you want to download, then tap your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Offline maps". Tap the map area shown on screen to download it. The downloaded map stays on your phone for 30 days before it expires and needs to be refreshed — you can use it to see streets, search for nearby places, and get directions, but live traffic and real-time transit information won't work.

This feature works on both Android and iPhone. The map files take up storage space on your phone — a city-sized area typically uses 50 to 200 megabytes depending on the zoom level and detail you download. You can store multiple offline maps at once, up to a total limit that varies by phone model and available storage.

Key Takeaways

  • Offline maps in Google Maps expire after 30 days and must be refreshed to keep using them.
  • You can search for locations and get turn-by-turn directions on an offline map, but you cannot see live traffic or real-time transit schedules.
  • Download maps over WiFi when possible, since the files are large and will use mobile data if you download over cellular.
  • Each offline map takes up phone storage space, so delete maps you no longer need to free up room.

How to download a map on Android

Open the Google Maps app and search for the city, neighborhood, or landmark you want to download. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner — it looks like a circle with your initial or photo inside. Scroll down and tap "Offline maps".

On the next screen, you will see a preview of the map area that will be downloaded. The size of the download appears at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Download" to start. The download happens in the background, and you can close the app or use your phone for other things while it completes. A notification will tell you when it is finished.

To find your downloaded maps later, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, and select "Offline maps" again. You will see a list of all the maps you have downloaded. Tap any map name to view it or manage it.

How to download a map on iPhone

Open Google Maps and search for the place you want to download. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap "Offline maps".

Tap "Select your own map" and use your fingers to draw a rectangle around the area you want to download. The app will show you the size of the download. Tap "Download" to save it to your phone. Like Android, the download runs in the background, and you can use your phone while it completes.

The process for viewing and managing your offline maps is the same as Android: tap your profile picture, select "Offline maps", and tap the map you want to use.

What you can and cannot do with an offline map

With an offline map downloaded, you can search for specific addresses, businesses, and landmarks within the downloaded area. You can also get turn-by-turn walking, driving, and cycling directions. The map will show you streets, parks, water, and building outlines just as it does online.

You cannot see live traffic conditions, real-time transit arrival times, or current business hours on an offline map. You also cannot use the "Explore" tab or see user reviews and ratings. If you need to search for something outside the downloaded area, you will need an internet connection.

Offline maps work best for navigation and finding your way around a place you already know roughly where you are. They are less useful for discovering new restaurants or businesses, since you cannot see reviews or current information.

Managing storage and refreshing expired maps

Each offline map takes up storage space on your phone. A single city typically uses between 50 and 200 megabytes, depending on how much detail you download and how large the area is. If your phone is running low on storage, you can delete offline maps you no longer need. Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, select "Offline maps", then tap and hold the map you want to remove and select "Delete".

Google Maps automatically expires offline maps after 30 days. When a map expires, you will see a message in the "Offline maps" section telling you to refresh it. Tap the expired map and select "Update" to download the latest version. This refresh ensures you have current street information and any new roads or changes Google has made to the map.

If you are downloading maps over a cellular connection instead of WiFi, the download will use your mobile data. For large areas, this can add up quickly. Whenever possible, download or refresh maps while connected to WiFi to avoid unexpected data charges.

Downloading maps for areas you have not visited yet

You do not need to be in a location to download its map. Search for any city, region, or address in Google Maps, and you can download it before you travel. This is useful for planning a trip to somewhere unfamiliar — download the map a few days before you leave so you have it ready when you arrive and have no signal.

Keep in mind that offline maps show the geography and street layout, but they do not include real-time information like current transit schedules or whether a business is open today. Before you travel, take screenshots of business hours, phone numbers, and transit schedules you know you will need, or write them down separately.

Troubleshooting offline map problems

If a download fails or gets stuck, close the Google Maps app completely and try again. Make sure you have enough free storage space on your phone — if your phone is nearly full, the download may not complete. Check your internet connection; downloads work faster over WiFi than cellular data.

If an offline map is not showing up in your "Offline maps" list, it may have expired. Open the list and look for a message about updating it. If you recently updated Google Maps or your phone's operating system, try restarting your phone and opening Google Maps again.

If you cannot search for results on an offline map, remember that offline search only works for places within the downloaded area. If you are searching for something outside the boundaries of your downloaded map, you will need an internet connection to find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use offline maps for navigation without any internet at all?

Yes. Once downloaded, offline maps work completely without a signal. You can search for addresses, get turn-by-turn directions, and see your location on the map. The only features that require internet are live traffic, real-time transit information, and searching outside your downloaded area.

How long does it take to download a map?

Download time depends on the size of the area and your internet speed. A city-sized map typically takes 2 to 10 minutes over WiFi. Cellular downloads are slower. You can close the app and let it download in the background.

What happens after 30 days when my offline map expires?

The map stays on your phone but stops working. Google Maps will show a message asking you to update it. Tap the map and select "Update" to download the latest version. The refresh usually takes a few minutes and requires an internet connection.

Can I download a map of an entire country or just cities?

You can download any size area, but larger regions use more storage. A whole country would take gigabytes of space. Most people download individual cities or regions they plan to visit. You can download multiple smaller maps instead of one huge one.

Do offline maps show bike lanes and hiking trails?

Offline maps show the same street and terrain information as the online version, including bike lanes and trails if they are marked in your area. However, you cannot switch between different map views (satellite, terrain, transit) on an offline map — you only get the standard street view.