You are halfway up a ghat road, and the signal bars disappear.
The blue dot freezes.
The next turn could be left, right or nowhere.
Five minutes of preparation the night before would have fixed this.
What is an offline map?
It is a part of Google Maps saved onto your phone.
Once saved, Maps can show the roads and guide you without any mobile data.
Your phone's GPS still knows where you are, even with no signal.
How do I download one?
Do it at home, on Wi-Fi.
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your profile picture at the top right.
- Tap Offline maps, then Select your own map.
- Move and zoom the blue box until it covers where you are going.
- Tap Download.
Cover the whole route, not just the destination.
A larger area takes more space, so check your storage first.
Will directions work offline?
Driving directions do, inside the downloaded area.
You will not get live traffic, and you cannot search for new places outside the area.
Walking and public transport directions may need a connection.
Look up the hotel and key stops before you leave, and save them with the star button.
How long do offline maps last?
They expire after a while, so roads stay up to date.
Maps can update them automatically on Wi-Fi.
Check that the option to update automatically is switched on in the Offline maps screen.
If a map has expired, you will see a warning there.
What else helps on a trip with no signal?
Charge a power bank, because GPS uses battery.
Take a screenshot of the route as a backup.
Save the address of where you are staying in your notes, in case you need to show someone.
Share your live location with family before you lose signal, so they know your last position.
Things to Remember
- Download offline maps on Wi-Fi before you leave.
- In Google Maps: profile picture, Offline maps, Select your own map.
- Cover the whole route, not just the destination.
- Driving directions work offline, live traffic does not.
- Carry a power bank, since GPS drains the battery.