We already talked about how you could use Google Maps offline Downloading maps and regions makes them available offline. However, if you want to download a large number of maps, it's best to download them to an SD card. Here's how you can save them on a memory card.
Configure Google Maps to download maps to the SD card
To be able to download the maps to the microSD card You will need to configure Google Maps to automatically save downloaded maps to the memory card. Naturally, you will need a microSD memory card, which must be installed in your smartphone.
You open Google Maps and you access the application options menu with the button found in the upper left section. Here you select the option Offline areas. Once you have accessed this section, click on Configuration in the upper right section. In this way, you will be able to modify the configuration options in the Offline areas section. Here locate the options Storage preferencesgo to Device, and choose SD card.
- Fast routeTap your profile picture or homepage > offline maps > icon of Settings > Storage preferences > SD card.
- Key noteIf you change the location where you store the maps, you will have to download them again.
- CompatibilityOn Android, the SD card must be in portable storageSome mobile phones do not have an SD card slot, and this option is not available on iPhones.
Important: You cannot download offline maps in some countries or areas because contractual limitations, availability of languages ​​or address formats.
Use Google Maps offline
It can be very useful to download the maps to use Google Maps offlineIf we go on a trip abroad and won't have an internet connection, we can download maps of large regions so that we can navigate without any problems even without an internet connection. Naturally, to download many maps we will have to use the SD memory cardThanks to the ability to save maps on SD cards, it is possible to use even a smartphone with limited internal memory to download a large number of maps.
Download an offline map: step by step
- On your phone or tablet, open Google Maps with connection and session started.
- Find a place specific (for example, a city or region).
- Play the name or address at the bottom and choose Download offline map > Download.
- To choose a custom area: your profile picture > offline maps > Select your own map Adjust the box and press Download.
When you download a map, you can use Google Maps as usual. If there is no internet or it is slow, the offline maps they will guide you whenever the entire route is included in the downloaded area. You can save them to your device or to the SD card.
What works and what doesn't offline
- Car navigation With voice and text prompts: available.
- Public transport, bicycle or foot: not available offline.
- Real time traffic, incidents and automatic alternative routes: not available without data.
- El GPS It works without data; what's missing is the cloud update.
Manage, update, and organize your maps
- View your maps: your profile picture > offline maps.
- Delete a map: enter the downloaded map and tap Delete.
- RenameOpen the map, press EditRename it and Save.
- Update: since offline maps You can update manually or activate Automatic Updates.
Google Maps can suggest Recommended maps Based on scheduled trips (for example, routes detected in Gmail or Google Trips), you can download them with one tap. Keep in mind that the maps They expire if they are not updated for a while; the app will notify you to renew them. To save data and battery, activate Wi-Fi only In Settings, perform the downloads using a stable network.
Extra tips: check the free space On SD cards, before downloading large areas, avoid cropping the area too much so as not to leave out sections of the route, and check your maps the day before your trip in case you need to add or refresh new regions. For additional options, see offline GPS applications that complement Google Maps.
If you prepare your downloads properly and configure the SD card storageYou'll get the most out of Google Maps offline, with plenty of space for cities and countries, easy management, and reliable navigation even when coverage disappears.
