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This wikiHow teaches you how to download maps of an area for offline use using Google Maps. Downloading a map area to your phone or tablet makes it possible to find your way around an area without having to use mobile data. Though there's no way to download a map area to a computer, you can download directions in advance of a trip so you don't have to worry about Wi-Fi.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using an Android

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  1. It's the map icon with a red pushpin. You'll usually find it on the home screen or in the app drawer.
    • Map downloads use a lot of data so it's best to download maps when connected to Wi-Fi.
  2. Downloaded maps will save to your internal memory by default, which is fine if you have a lot of internal memory. As long as you've already formatted your SD card as Portable Storage, you can opt to save maps to it instead. Follow these steps if you want to save to the SD card:[1]
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  3. If you want your map to encompass more than one city, you'll be able to expand the area in a little bit. Just start with one city or location for now.
    • If you prefer, you can select a location visually on the map. To do this, return to the map, tap at the top-left corner, select Offline maps and then tap Custom map. Skip down to step 7 for the remaining steps.
  4. The map will zoom in to the selected location.
  5. It's near the bottom of the screen. Some more options will appear.
  6. The area within the confines of the box will be downloaded to your phone or tablet for offline use. You can capture more or less of the selected area by zooming in or out.
    • Pinch two fingers together on the screen to zoom out, or reverse-pinch to zoom in.
  7. It's at the bottom of the screen. The selected map area will now download to your Android.
    • Google Maps will continue using your mobile data plan whenever a connection is available. If you want to force Google Maps to use your downloaded map instead, tap the menu and select Wi-Fi only.
    • Though you can still get driving directions when you're offline, you won't be able to get public transit, walking, or biking directions.
    • You can manage your offline maps by tapping the menu and selecting Offline maps.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using an iPhone or iPad

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  1. It's the multicolored map icon with a red pushpin. You'll usually find it on the home screen.
    • Map downloads use a lot of data so it's best to download maps when connected to Wi-Fi.
  2. If you want your map to encompass more than one city, you'll be able to expand the area in a little bit. Just start with one city or location for now.
    • If you prefer, you can select a location visually on the map. To do this, return to the map, tap at the top-left corner, select Offline maps and then tap Custom map. Skip down to step 7 for the remaining steps.
  3. The map will zoom in to the selected location.
  4. It's near the bottom of the screen. Some more options will appear.
  5. It's near the top-right corner.
  6. You'll see a box surrounding a suggested download area.
  7. The area within the confines of the box will be downloaded to your phone or tablet for offline use. You can capture more or less of the selected area by zooming in or out.
    • Pinch two fingers together on the screen to zoom out, or reverse-pinch to zoom in.
  8. It's at the bottom of the screen. The selected map area will now download to your iPhone or iPad.
    • Google Maps will continue using your mobile data plan whenever a connection is available. If you want to force Google Maps to use your downloaded map instead, you must disconnect from your mobile data plan. You can toggle mobile data on and off by swiping up from the bottom of the home screen and tapping the antennae icon (to the right of the airplane).
    • You can manage your offline maps by tapping the menu and selecting Offline maps.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Computer

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  1. Go to https://maps.google.com on your computer. Though there's no way to download a map area when you're using a computer, you can download directions in advance and save them to a PDF file.
  2. If you want to save directions to a location, type the address or name of that location into this box. As you type, a list of matching results will appear.
  3. The map will zoom in to the location.
  4. It's in the left panel. Look for the blue icon with a road sign containing an arrow.
  5. Just as you searched your destination, enter the name or address of the location you're traveling from into the box at the top-left corner of the page.
  6. This will display a map that shows the route from the starting point to the destination.
  7. This displays step-by-step directions for the trip.
    • Depending on the location and destination, you may see multiple routes in the left panel. Click DETAILS below each route to find the one that works best for you.
  8. It's in the left panel at the top-right corner. A small pop-up will appear.
  9. This will include the map in the downloaded directions. If you don’t need a map, select Print text only instead.
  10. It's the blue button at the top-right corner of the page. This opens the print panel.
  11. It's near the top-left corner of the Print dialog.
  12. It's the blue button at the top-left corner of the dialog.
  13. You may also want to change the name of the file, but that's up to you. This downloads the directions to the selected folder.
    • Now that the directions are saved to your computer, you can review them without the need for an internet connection. Just double-click the PDF to open it.
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About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 61,215 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: May 13, 2019
Views: 61,215
Categories: Google Maps
Article SummaryX

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Search for a location.
3. Tap the location name.
4. Tap the menu.
5. Tap the Download option.
6. Select an area to download.
7. Tap Download.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 61,215 times.

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