Driving through a stretch with no cell signal is exactly when a map app stops being useful. The fix takes about two minutes and works best before you leave home: download the area for offline use. Here’s how on iPhone and Android, and what to expect once you’re out of range.
Google Maps on iPhone and iPad
Google says you need an internet connection and can’t be in Incognito mode when you download.
- Open Google Maps and search for a place, such as the city you’re driving to.
- Tap the place name or address at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap More, then Download offline map, then Download.
To pick your own area instead, tap your profile picture or initial, then Offline maps, then Select your own map. Adjust the box and tap Download.
Google Maps on Android
You need to be online and signed in to Google Maps.
- Open Google Maps and search for a place.
- Swipe right on the place sheet.
- Tap More, then Download offline map, then Download.
The profile picture, then Offline maps, then Select your own map route works here too. Android can also save maps to an SD card: in Offline maps, tap Settings at the top right, and choose SD card under “Storage preferences.” Changing the storage location means downloading the map again.
Apple Maps on iPhone
Apple Maps needs iOS 17 or later. Open Maps, tap your picture or initials next to the search field, and tap Offline Maps. Tap the plus button, enter a location or choose Current Location, adjust the area, and tap Download.
You can also search for a place and tap Download (or More, then Download Map). Maps shows the file size before you commit, which is handy if your phone is short on space.
What works offline, and what doesn’t
The two apps differ. Google says its offline maps guide you as long as the entire route stays inside the downloaded area. Walking, bicycling and transit directions aren’t available offline, and driving directions won’t include traffic or alternate routes. So if you take a wrong turn out of range, don’t expect a smart reroute.
Apple says offline maps support turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling or transit, plus estimated arrival times and place details such as hours and ratings. Apple’s page doesn’t list what doesn’t work, so treat live conditions as unlikely offline.
Keep your maps fresh
Google’s downloaded maps expire, so update them before a trip. When a map has 15 days or less left and you’re on Wi-Fi, Google Maps tries to update it automatically. To make sure, go to Offline maps, tap Settings at the top right, and turn on Auto-update offline maps.
In Apple Maps, Automatic Updates is on by default under Offline Maps settings. Optimize Storage deletes unused offline maps after a while, so turn it off if you want a map to stay put. Offline maps don’t sync between your Apple devices, so download on each one.
A quick pre-trip checklist
- Download while on home Wi-Fi, and choose an area wider than your route.
- Download the area around your destination too, not only the road between.
- Check that Google’s area covers your whole route, since partial coverage can leave you without guidance.
- Not every country or region allows offline downloads, so check before an international trip.
It’s also worth testing before you go: switch on airplane mode, open the map and confirm the area still loads. That ten-second check tells you whether the download worked while you still have Wi-Fi to fix it.
Holiday travel is only a couple of weeks away, and a free map in your pocket is a better backup than a paper atlas you’ll never find in the glovebox. If your plans also involve a flight, see our guide on getting a cash refund when a flight is canceled.
More on Contoh
- Flight Canceled or Changed? How to Get a Cash Refund, Not Just a Voucher
- How to Turn On Automatic Updates on Your iPhone, Android, Windows PC and Mac