You can save maps offline on iPhone through Apple Maps or Google Maps

Both Apple Maps and Google Maps let you save map areas to your iPhone so you can view them without an internet connection. Apple Maps stores offline maps automatically when you have space, but you can also manually save specific regions. Google Maps requires you to save areas yourself before you need them. The process takes a few minutes and works on any iPhone with iOS 15 or later.

Offline maps are useful when you travel to places with spotty cell service, cross into areas where roaming charges apply, or simply want to reduce data use. The maps stay on your phone until you delete them, and you can have multiple regions saved at once.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Maps automatically caches maps for areas you visit, but you can manually save a specific region by searching for it, tapping your profile icon, and selecting "Save Map".
  • Google Maps requires you to open the app, search for a location, tap your profile icon, choose "Offline maps", and tap the plus sign to save a new area.
  • Offline maps use storage space on your phone — typically 50 MB to 500 MB per region depending on size and detail level.
  • Saved maps in both apps remain usable for about 30 days before they expire and need to be refreshed.

How to save a map in Apple Maps

Open Apple Maps and search for the city, region, or landmark you want to save. Tap the name or location card at the bottom of the screen to open the full details page. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner — it looks like a circle with your initials or photo. Scroll down and tap "Save Map". The app will begin downloading the map data for that area.

You can check how much storage the map uses and delete it anytime by going back to your profile, tapping "Saved Maps", and swiping left on the map name. Apple Maps also automatically saves maps for places you visit frequently or search for often, even if you do not manually save them.

How to save a map in Google Maps

Open Google Maps and search for the city or region you want to save. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner — it is a circle with your initial or photo. Select "Offline maps" from the menu. Tap the plus sign to add a new offline map. Drag the map to frame the area you want to save, then tap "Save".

Google Maps will show you how much storage the map will use before you confirm. The saved map appears in your offline maps list and stays available for 30 days. After 30 days, you will need to refresh it by opening the offline maps list, tapping the map, and selecting "Update".

Storage space and how long offline maps last

Offline maps take up space on your iPhone. A single city typically uses 50 MB to 150 MB, while a larger region like a state or province can use 300 MB to 500 MB or more. Check how much space your phone has available before saving multiple large regions. You can see storage use in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

Both Apple Maps and Google Maps expire offline maps after 30 days of not being refreshed. This is by design — maps change as roads are built, businesses close, and transit routes shift. If you plan to use a saved map after 30 days, open the app, find the map in your saved or offline list, and tap "Refresh" or "Update" to download the latest version.

Using offline maps for navigation

Once you have saved a map, you can use it for turn-by-turn navigation without internet. Open the app, search for your destination within the saved region, and tap "Directions". The app will route you using the offline map data. Navigation works the same way as it does online, but you will not see real-time traffic updates or alternate routes.

If your destination is outside the saved map area, you will need an internet connection to navigate there. You can save multiple overlapping regions to cover a larger area, though this uses more storage.

What to do if a map will not save

If a map fails to save, check that you have enough free storage on your phone and that you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. Large regions may take several minutes to download. If the download keeps failing, try saving a smaller area instead — zoom in on the map before tapping "Save Map" or adjusting the frame in Google Maps.

If you see an error message, restart the Maps app and try again. In rare cases, signing out and back into your Apple ID or Google account can fix persistent problems. Make sure your iOS version is current by checking Settings > General > Software Update.

Differences between Apple Maps and Google Maps offline features

Apple Maps automatically saves maps in the background as you use the app, so you may already have offline coverage for places you visit often without doing anything. Google Maps requires you to manually save every region you want offline. This makes Apple Maps more convenient for regular travel, but Google Maps gives you more control over what gets stored.

Google Maps offline maps include search within the saved area — you can look up restaurants or gas stations without internet. Apple Maps offline maps work mainly for navigation and viewing, with limited search. Both apps let you save multiple regions, but Google Maps shows you exactly how much storage each one uses before you save it, while Apple Maps shows the size after saving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use offline maps for turn-by-turn directions?

Yes. Both Apple Maps and Google Maps provide turn-by-turn navigation using offline maps. You will not see real-time traffic or alternate routes, but the basic directions and voice guidance work the same way. Make sure your destination is within the saved map area.

How long do offline maps stay on my phone?

Offline maps stay on your phone until you delete them. However, both apps expire the map data after 30 days without an update. You can refresh an expired map by opening it in the app and tapping "Update" or "Refresh" while connected to the internet.

Can I save a map larger than a city?

Yes. You can frame a region as large as you want in Google Maps, though very large areas use significant storage. In Apple Maps, you search for a region name and save it — the app determines the size. Start with smaller areas if you are unsure how much storage you have available.

Do offline maps work internationally?

Yes. You can save maps for any location worldwide in both apps. This is especially useful when traveling abroad to avoid roaming charges. Save maps before you leave home or while connected to Wi-Fi at your destination.

What happens if I run out of storage space?

Your phone will not let you save a new map if there is not enough free space. Delete old offline maps you no longer need, or remove other files and apps to free up storage. You can see which offline maps use the most space in the offline maps list in each app.