Losing your internet connection when trying to navigate isn’t a fun moment. Whether you’re driving or walking to your destination, it can throw a spanner in the works.
But Google Maps offers a good hack: you can download offline maps to help you reach your location even if your phone has zero bars. This tool is perfect for when you’ve planned a trip ahead of time and know exactly where you’re heading — or, if you want to be able to navigate a specific city. Downloading the map in advance is good insurance, especially in spotty WiFi zones.
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Here’s how to do it.
How to download Google Maps
- iPhone or Android
- Google Maps app
Step 1:
Open the Google Maps app on your phone.
Step 2:
Click on the profile icon at the top right of the screen.
Step 3:
Choose “offline maps.”
![The menu in Google Maps.](https://i0.wp.com/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03suyMEaGSMaVY8vead4NlE/images-1.fill.size_382x750.v1715248063.jpg?resize=382%2C750&ssl=1)
Credit: Meera Navlakha / Google Maps
Step 4:
Click “select your own map”.
![The "offline maps" options in Google Maps.](https://i0.wp.com/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03suyMEaGSMaVY8vead4NlE/images-2.fill.size_376x750.v1715248063.jpg?resize=376%2C750&ssl=1)
Credit: Meera Navlakha / Google Maps
Step 5:
Here, move your map to the area you want to download.
Google Maps will indicate how much storage the download will require depending on the size of the location.
![An image of Google Maps, displaying a map of England.](https://i0.wp.com/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03suyMEaGSMaVY8vead4NlE/images-3.fill.size_346x750.v1715248063.png?resize=346%2C750&ssl=1)
Credit: Meera Navlakha / Google Maps
Step 6:
Click “download”.
Step 7:
Bonus: you can also search for a specific city and click “download”.
![A map of London with an arrow pointing to "download".](https://i0.wp.com/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03suyMEaGSMaVY8vead4NlE/images-4.fill.size_384x750.v1715248063.jpg?resize=384%2C750&ssl=1)
Credit: Screenshot / Google Maps.
Here’s a few more tips and tricks for using Google Maps while you’re at it.