The latest Google Maps update for iOS saw iPhone and iPad users get the inclusion of up-to-date gas prices and the ability to see the busiest times at shops and businesses. The best part of the update, though, was the improved offline navigation. Regardless of the fact of a limited or spotty internet connection, iPhone and iPad users could still navigate on Google Maps; on condition they had downloaded the specific area in advance.

How to save an offline Google Maps’ area to your iPhone, iPad

• If you do not have Google Maps on your device download it from the App Store. The free Google Maps app is compatible with iPhone and iPad and requires iOS 7.0 or later.
• Open Google Maps on your device. Make sure to connect to the internet and sign into Google Maps.
• Search for the specific area that you want available offline.
• Tap the Menu button > Offline areas.
• Tap the ‘+’ button in the bottom right-hand corner.
• Pinch and zoom into the area that you want to save for offline viewing. The smaller the area that you save means the less storage space the offline map takes up on your device.
• Tap
• Give your area a specific name in the pop-up menu and tap Save. You can Edit the name of your saved map at any stage.
• To access your saved maps, tap the Menu > Offline areas > select the saved map.
• You can delete any saved maps at any time. Tap the Menu > Offline areas > select the saved map > tap Delete.

What you can do with offline maps

For the areas that you have saved for offline viewing, you will be able to get driving directions, turn-by-turn instructions, as well as the ability to search for points of interest, specific locations and businesses in the specific area you have downloaded. While using your saved Google Maps, you can also zoom in or out for a closer look at specific details of the map.

What you cannot do with offline maps

Since it is not possible to pull in construction, road conditions and transit outages while Google Maps is offline, you will not be able to view walking and transit directions on your saved map.

Expires after 30 days

Google Maps will keep your saved map for a maximum of 30 days, after which it automatically deletes the map to free up valuable space on your device. If you are planning to visit the same area after 30 days, you will have to download the selected area again.

To ensure you have the most up-to-date version of the offline map, you can select the area you have saved and tap Update. This will update the saved area to include any changes that have occurred since you first downloaded it.

For better navigation, read our other article for more Google Maps tips and tricks for iOS, Android and desktop.

Image credit: Unsplash via Pixabay