No matter where you are, in a bad connectivity spot or lost in the remote national park, take it easy as now Google Maps is available to access offline. Thanks to this update, now users can download cities or countries, use turn-by-turn navigation and search for specific locations along with driving directions and reviews — all without an Internet connection.
The new Google Maps will also help your devices find useful information about places, like opening time, telephone number or ratings even while your Internet connection is spotty or non-existent.
With the update for Android phones yesterday, users now can get somewhere even when their devices is not connected to the Internet. The tech giant also promised that an update for iOS will be available soon.
Google Maps now help users get somewhere even when their devices is not connected to the Internet
Google claimed that offline mode is designed to fit the online version of Maps parallel, permit data connection to bring in and out without interrupting the app itself. In detail, when you’re in an area with poor or no data signal, Google Maps will automatically move into offline mode and keep navigating like nothing happened. When a connection is available, it will turn back online so users can quickly access the full version of Maps, including live traffic conditions for current route which is limited in offline mode, Google Product Manager Amanda Bishop claimed.
To get Google Maps work well offline, databases must be downloaded beforehand
However, there will be unique taken steps to enjoy the benefits of this app. To get Google Maps work well offline, databases must be downloaded beforehand, preferably when you are online. Started by searching for a location, such as a city, users must pinch in or out to select specific area to download. Larger areas will be more flexibility for navigation, but they also get more storage. Be careful as the memory limit is just 2,500 megabytes, so don’t try downloading the entire state of California or Texas. Users also are informed how large the file is and how much storage on the phone have left.
Once you download an area, Google will periodically update the data with new businesses or any changes of routines, of course, only when your Internet connection is available.
In contrast, the offline mode does have some limitations. Firstly, you can’t access reviews or photos posted about restaurants or other businesses on this offline version. In addition, they also cannot use satellite view mode. But contact information, hours and an overall user rating are available.
Traffic information is the only – online feature, so it is limited on offline mapping. Traffic or rerouting details won’t be updated while you’re offline, so be careful as you might still be stuck in traffic jams.
For directions, the feature has worked only with driving so far. Customers have to wait for walking, biking in the future. Even so, this offline mode of Google Maps is an improvement on the app’s previous offline mode, which let users save maps of an area but not search or get directions within them.