Tech Reference

How to download directions from Google Maps to use while driving without internet

Google Maps app on iPhone in car
Downloading maps from Google Maps is easy. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Google Maps is a great travel tool — until you find yourself in the middle of an area without internet or service. Downloading maps can help avoid that issue. You just have to know where to find the option.

Here's what you need to know about getting it done.

What to know before downloading from Google Maps

There are a couple of requirements before downloading from Google Maps, whether you're using an iPhone or an Android.

First, you need to make sure you aren't in incognito mode. Second, you'll need an internet connection, for this to work. Assuming those are taken care of, you're good to go.

How to download offline Google Maps

You can download Google Maps offline on your iPhone, iPad, or Android.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Google Maps app.

2. Search for the needed location.

3. Tap the name or address of the location.

Screenshot showing the search function on Google Maps.
Tap to select the location.  Devon Delfino

4. Scroll down to the bottom fo the screen, then tap More.

Screenshot showing the ‘more’ option on a location in Google Maps.
Tap More.  Devon Delfino

5. Select Download offline map.

Screenshot showing the download offline map option on Google Maps.
Tap Download offline map.  Devon Delfino

6. Tap Download.

Screenshot showing the download button on Google Maps.
Tap Download.  Devon Delfino

On Android

1. Open the Google Maps app.

2. Search for the desired location.

3. At the bottom of the screen, tap the name or address of the place.

4. Tap Download twice. Or, if you searched for a place like a restaurant, you'll have to also tap More and then Download offline map followed by Download.

How to manage offline maps

You can find downloaded Google maps within the app's Offline Maps section. By tapping into the listed offline maps, you'll have the option to delete them, rename areas (via the edit function), or update them.

Screenshot showing the offline map editing options on Google Maps.
Tap the three dots next to the offline map to update, rename or delete it.  Devon Delfino

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Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at @devondelfino.
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.