There is a handy function to use Google maps offline WITHOUT wifi or data. That’s right— you can use Google Maps in airplane mode! Even in airplane mode, Google Maps will show you the blue dot so you know exactly where you are.
This feature is perfect for anyone who’s trying to minimize the use of their data or don’t have data at all. It’s been my go-to way to get around Prague, Paris, Tel-Aviv, and more.
I’ve shared this feature with family, friends, and even fellow travelers I’ve met on public transportation and have been quite surprised how helpful this offline function. Thus, here’s the post on how to use Google Maps offline to spread the good word on how not to get lost and save money on data!
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How to Download Google Maps for Offline Use Without Data or Wifi
Before we begin, please note that using Google Maps offline without data or wifi on your trip is meant to be a pre-travel preparation item. Thus, you must follow these instructions when you are at home, office, Airbnb, or wherever you have good wifi connection. After you complete these instructions, Google Maps will work wifi and in airplane mode.
It will have its limitations though. It won’t work as it usually does where you can pull up step-by-step directions wherever you are. If you check the section on “Downside of Google Maps Offline”, you’ll see what I’m talking about and how to remedy it so you’re always prepped with directions.
The following instructions for the iPhone, but this function is available on all Google Maps apps on any phone like a Samsung Galaxy.
iPhone Steps
This function is available on any Google Maps app regardless of phone type.
- When connected to wi-fi, open the Google Maps app on your iPhone.
- Search for the city that you are going to.
- Once you see the city you’ll be visiting, click the Three Horizontal Lines in the top left of the app on the search bar.
- Click ‘Offline areas’.
- Click ‘Custom area’.
- Zoom in and out to adjust the map to the area you want.
- Click ‘Download.’ Your map will download in a few minutes as long as it remains connected to wi-fi.
- Once downloaded, you can rename your offline area with the city name, and click ‘Save’.
Now that your map is downloaded, click here to learn how to prep Google Maps to work without wifi.
iPhone Steps With Screenshots
This function is available on any Google Maps app regardless of phone type.
When connected to wi-fi, open the Google Maps app on your phone.
Search for the city that you are going to, then click the Three Horizontal Lines in the top left of the app on the search bar.
Click ‘Offline areas’.
Click ‘Custom Area’.
Zoom in and out to adjust the map to the area you want.
Then click download.
Your map will download in a few minutes as long as it remains connected to wi-fi. Once it’s downloaded, you can click on the pencil in the top right corner, and rename it.
To prep your map with places you’ll be going to, keep reading this post!
How to Prep Google Maps for Offline Use Without Data or Wifi
Now that you downloaded the Google Map area you need for offline use, you’ll want to prep it even further by adding in locations you’ll be going to often just in case you don’t have wifi or data to give you specific instructions. These points will be saved on your downloaded map so you can figure out how to get there yourself.
Steps Without Screenshots
- Open the Google Maps app on your phone.
- Search for the hotel that you’re staying at.
- Click on the hotel, and hit ‘Save’.
- Now your hotel is saved and will be marked on your map with a star.
- Repeat the above steps until you get everything on the map that you want.
Steps With Screenshots
Open the Google Maps app on your phone.
Search for the hotel that you’re staying at.
Click on the hotel name in the white bar for more information to pull up, and hit ‘Save’.
Now your hotel is saved and will be marked on your map with a star.
Repeat the above steps until you get everything on the map that you want.
How to Get Google Map to Work Without Wifi Once You’re Abroad
Now imagine you’re in downtown New York, and you’re lost without wifi or data to help you get directions. Don’t fret! You have Google Maps offline, and the locations you need to find saved on the map. Here’s how:
- Open your Google Maps in airplane mode. Wait a couple of minutes, and the GPS will kick in. A blue dot will appear telling you where you are.
- Now you can use the map just as you would a paper map, and head towards your marked star that you saved in your phone before.
Downside of Using Google Maps Offline
There is the obvious downside of not being able to get specific walking, driving, or even subway directions when using the map offline.
To prep for this, when I’m at my hotel or Airbnb, I get directions to a place while I still have wifi. Then as I leave my accommodation, I turn my phone onto airplane mode. That way, I still have specific directions without incurring any data costs.
Also, if you use the Google Maps app, you are still dependent on technology so make sure to always have a charger on you. I use the Anker external charger, which is almost as small as a lipstick and only $13!
I’ve used this weekly since I bought it three years ago, and it still holds a charge and a half for my iPhone. I’ve also given this out as gifts over 10x– hehe– so if your birthday is coming up, expect this charger I love so much.
Lastly, Google Maps doesn’t work so well in Asia, or at least in South Korea, so you can’t download offline maps!
If you found this post on how to get Google Maps to work without wifi, please share it with family and friends or comment below! This is a handy feature that everyone should know about.
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Joella (RovingJo) says
I just came back from Scotland and this would have been very useful for me instead of killing all those trees by printing my maps – LOL. I knew about other apps that you could use without having data or being connected to wifi but I have always been to nervous that they would not work when I needed them. I will certainly try this out later this month when I go to St. Louis to see how it works knowing that I can access my data if I mess it up. Thanks for sharing. Happy Roving!!!
Sarah says
Good luck!
Noemi of Pinay Flying High says
Love this! Very detailed and easy to follow. I’ve seen instructions on how to do this before but it sounds complicated. You made it sound so easy. :p #iphone4s4eva LOL
jess says
Hi Sarah,
I was recently introduced to Maps.Me. Have you used those maps? I’d love to know a comparison of this and Google.
Also, I’ve always wondered: when I download a map at a certain zoom level, can I zoom in even more once I’m offline? I never know how big an area I should download. Thanks!!
Sarah says
Oh that’s good to know. Yes you can zoom in and out because it’ll show you all the details at whatever level you chose.
Katy Clarke says
Great tips Sarah and very well explained. I am a serial location saver on Google Maps. Apart from being useful when discovering a new location it is also great for remembering restaurants and attractions you went to after you return from your trip.
Sarah says
That’s a good point. Definitely helps with that.
Stella the Travelerette says
Thanks for this very detailed and informative post. I get pretty good coverage internationally because I’m with T-Mobile so I can get lazy about this sort of thing. But I just found out that if you have a hotel reservation or restaurant reservation information in your Gmail that Google Maps automatically gives you a “pin” for that spot. So even if you don’t plan ahead, you’ll still have those saved on Google Maps without data.
Sarah says
Oh that’s good to know!
Eva Casey says
I heart Google Maps SO much. I would be literally and figuratively lost without it!! Thank you so much for this handy tutorial so I can have Google Maps with me everywhere I go 😀
Sarah says
You’re welcome!
Hallie says
That is such great info. My sister told me about instant messaging while on Airplane Mode last time I was home, but I didn’t think the maps feature would work at all. Thanks!
Sarah says
Oh you can IM on Airplane Mode? Would love to know more about that.
Travel Pockets says
I was so excited when this feature came out. Not only do I use it on my overseas travels, but right here in the US. There have been numerous occasions where I’m driving in the hills or mountains and I lose connection right when I need it most. I just hate that feeling of not having the GPS cuz I don’t carry paper maps or print out mapquest. Thank you GOOGLE! 🙂
Sarah says
Yes this works in the US too. I got lost in the desert without service and the handy GPS picked up where we were.
Cynthia says
This is perfect!!!!! I don’t have data so this can definitely come in handy. I’m going to try this this weekend — pinned! Also, I’ve been using my iPhone 4S for fours years and I only just got a new phone recently 😛
Sally from Passport & Plates says
I always use google maps when I travel but I had NO idea that this feature existed! This is super useful for when I find myself without phone data or wifi, especially because my sense of direction is non-existent. Thanks for sharing this trick 🙂
Sarah says
You’re welcome!
Star Lengas says
We’re heading to Japan later this year and this will be so helpful! We love to wander and get lost, but even I have my limits lol! Thanks for sharing this, pinning it asap!
Sarah says
Hey Star! I don’t know if Google Maps works offline in Japan unfortunately because it didn’t work for me in South Korea. I would check what apps locals use!
Diana says
I do the same thing! I also, if you need directions to go somewhere, load up the direction and when I go offline, I just follow the blue line!
Garth says
This is exactly what we’ve been looking for! Me and Phil have wanted to know how to do this for a while now, thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
Great! Enjoy it. Let me know where you use it!
Shantel Liddy says
Thanks, this would have been great when I was in Europe a few months ago! My solution was to pull up maps, directions, etc. while I was on WiFi, and then take screen shots. Lots and lots of screen shots! Mostly effective, but missing the handy “blue dot!” I do suggest it for directions, especially if you are needing multiple options. Often I took screen shots of both walking and transit directions. Also, remember to reverse directions because sometimes it’s a different train or bus to go back to where you started (be sure to check what time of day/day of week you’ll be traveling if it’s not immediate–you don’t want to plan on catching a train at 11:30 PM only to find out it quit running at 10:00!)! In addition, I took pictures of maps or other information (hours, pricing, etc) in books (or, on a few occasions, hanging in windows or on walls) because then I could pull up the picture and zoom in and didn’t have to worry about tiny print. Or carrying around a book. (Especially if it wasn’t mine!) As an added bonus, looking at info on your phone looks a bit less “touristy” than looking at a book/paper, or staring a long time at a posted map. Just be sure to be aware of your surroundings and your belongings when you are using your phone for info or for pictures!
Sarah says
Wow you’ve put in a ton of effort into not getting lost! I bet you’re a great travel partner. I did the screenshots thing when we went to Korea 🙂 Google Maps does not work well there.
Cori says
This is such a great tip! Of course, when I was in Israel I wandered outside of my saved map area and still managed to have an authentic adventure, so be sure to give yourself room in case you wander a little too far.
I was telling my friends how to do this the other day — most of our American friends forget that Canada is another country and they’ll get hit with crazy bills for roaming. Now I can just send them this instead of walking them through it myself!
Sarah says
Awesome! I’m glad they’ll find it helpful. Ooh I’ve never gone too far from my saved map area! That’s interesting.
Emma says
I want to do this but have iphone 5s and I can’t find any “three white dots”, “offline areas” or anything! Doesn’t this work on iphone 5s or is something wrong with my phone/google maps?? But besides that great tip! thanks 😉
Sarah says
Hey Emma! I emailed you so you’d get an answer faster, but have you tried looking at both the iPhone 4S AND iPhone 6 screenshots? I don’t have a 5S but I assume between those two versions that it can’t be too far off. Also, are you in Google Maps or in the iPhone maps? My directions are for Google Maps. I hope that helps!
Karo says
Great article – finally I can get that thing to work offline. I remember discovering that Google Maps don’t work offline, what a surprise that was 😉 Thank you!
Sarah says
You’re welcome!
Nightsdawn says
This is very informative, but do you know if this works on other phones besides iphones?
Sarah says
Yes it works on any phone that has Google Maps! It’s a Google Maps feature, not a phone specific one. Enjoy!
Briana says
I LOVE this post! It is so helpful! I literally use Google Maps for everything, and I was worried about what to do when I am travelling Europe, so this hack is perfect. I am going to do this for all of my destinations right now! Thank you!
Sarah says
Hey! I just stopped by your blog and checked out your Europe itinerary. So awesome! I’m glad this will help your trip 🙂 🙂
Adriaan says
Great post! I am also using the offline functionality. It really helps alot! A thing that I noticed though is you need to star all your favourite places first before you download an offline area, or else it won’t show when using the maps offline. You can always update your offline area to make sure all the stars pop up when you are using the map abroad.
Leah says
I have a (very late) question. We are leaving for Germany soon, and I have followed your directions (thank you so much!). Will the app also give turn directions? For example, will it alert you to “Take Oberhachinger Strasse in .2 miles” etc.? Or is it going to be more generic? Just curious on how much I should expect?
The Zimms zoo says
I just found this! We are going on a backpacking trip. I will be using this as backup for our map.
Jeff says
You are a genius! I upgraded my iPhone 5 with a Samsung Galaxy 10 when the battery misbehaved. Then my Navman GPS packed it in and it would have cost AUD230 to replace. With your advice I have resurrected the iPhone as my GPS (works a treat and Navman won’t transfer the OS maps I bought to another device anyway) with the Samsung free and available as a backup GPS.
Sherry says
This is cool! It’s all about being prepared, right? We were a hot mess the last time we were traveling without a signal. This is a definitely a tip I will use! THANKS!
Stefania Schindler says
It is indeed a great tool, just do not forget that it does not work for walking, only if you are driving. At least, it was like this when I used in Germany…