How to Use Google Maps Offline in India

Google Maps can guide you without mobile data if you download the area to your phone first. Open the app, tap your profile picture, choose Offline maps, select the area and download it over Wi-Fi. Offline maps give you search and driving directions inside the saved area, but not live traffic, bus or train routes, or walking directions, so it helps to know the limits before a trip.

When offline maps help in India

• Hill stations, ghat roads and forest stretches where the signal drops for long periods
• Highway drives between towns, where data comes and goes
• Trips to another state where your operator’s coverage is weak
• Days when your daily data is over, or you want to save battery and data
• Travel abroad without a roaming pack

If you are not sure how good the network is on your route, our guide on checking real Jio and Airtel speed in your area explains how to test it.

How to download an offline map (Android and iPhone)

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and open the Google Maps app. Make sure you are signed in and not in Incognito mode.
2. Tap your profile picture or initial at the top right.
3. Tap Offline maps.
4. Tap Select your own map.
5. Drag and pinch the map until the blue box covers the area you need. The app shows roughly how much storage the download will use.
6. Tap Download and keep the app open until it finishes.

You can also search for a city or place, open its details and choose the download option from the menu there. Button names can differ slightly by app version, so update Google Maps from the Play Store or App Store if you do not see these options.

Plan the download for a road trip

Offline navigation works only when the whole route lies inside the downloaded area. For a drive, that means the start, the destination and every road in between.

• Zoom out so one box covers the full route, or download two or three overlapping areas along the way.
• Include the towns where you may stop for fuel, food or the night.
• Rename each area from the Offline maps list, for example “Bengaluru to Ooty”, so you can find and delete it later.
• Before you leave, switch on Aeroplane mode for a minute and try starting navigation. If the route loads, you are covered.

What works offline and what does not

• Works: viewing the map, your GPS location, searching for places inside the saved area, and turn-by-turn driving directions.
• Does not work: live traffic, alternative routes and lane guidance in driving directions.
• Not available: public transport, cycling and walking directions.
• Limited: details that need the internet, such as the latest reviews, photos and live busy times.

GPS itself does not use mobile data, so the blue dot keeps moving even with no signal. Without traffic data, the arrival time is an estimate, and the app cannot warn you about a jam or a closed road. On unfamiliar hill or village roads, compare the route with road signs and ask locally if a turn looks wrong.

Keep offline maps updated

Downloaded areas have an expiry date, shown in the Offline maps list, because roads and places change. When an area is close to expiring and the phone is on Wi-Fi, Google Maps tries to update it automatically.

1. Open Offline maps and tap the settings (gear) icon.
2. Turn on Auto-update offline maps.
3. Set download preferences to Wi-Fi only so updates do not use mobile data.

To update one area by hand, tap it in the list and choose Update. Do this the night before a trip.

Save storage and data

• Check the size first. A large region can take hundreds of MB. Download only what the trip needs.
• Delete old areas. In the Offline maps list, tap the three dots next to an area and choose Delete.
• SD card: on Android phones with a memory card, the Offline maps settings include a storage preference to save maps on the card. This option is not shown on phones without a card slot.
• Use maps without data on purpose: the Android app has a Wi-Fi only switch in its settings that makes Maps rely on offline areas when you are not on Wi-Fi.

If your phone is already short on space, clear some first with our guide on freeing up Google Photos and phone storage.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Downloading only the destination. The route between the two cities also has to be inside the saved area.
• Downloading at the last minute on mobile data. Large areas are slow and use a lot of data. Do it on Wi-Fi at home or the hotel.
• Expecting walking or bus directions. Offline mode gives driving directions only.
• Forgetting the phone’s battery. Navigation with the screen on drains the battery quickly. Carry a car charger or power bank.
• Not saving key places. Star or save your hotel, parking and meeting points while you still have internet.

FAQ

Is Google Maps offline free?
Yes. Downloading areas is a free feature of the Google Maps app. It uses your phone storage, and the download itself uses Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Does navigation work in Aeroplane mode?
Driving directions work inside a downloaded area on most phones as long as location is on. Some phones turn GPS off in Aeroplane mode, so test it before your trip.

Can I get bus, metro or walking directions offline?
No. Public transport, cycling and walking directions need an internet connection. Offline mode supports driving directions.

How long do offline maps last?
Each area shows an expiry date in the Offline maps list. Turn on auto-update so areas refresh over Wi-Fi before they expire.

Why can I not find the Offline maps option?
Sign in to a Google account, turn off Incognito mode and update the app. Downloads are also unavailable for some regions.