How to save offline maps before a trip and use less mobile data

A new city is when you need maps most. Downloading the area over Wi-Fi before leaving means the map itself is already on your phone when you land. That can reduce mobile data use and help when reception is weak, though live features will still need a connection.

Google Maps on Android or iPhone

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and open Google Maps. On Android, sign in; on iPhone, make sure you are not in Incognito mode.
2. Tap your profile picture or initial, then Offline maps and Select your own map.
3. Move and resize the box to cover your hotel, airport and likely journeys. Tap Download. Download separate areas if your route does not fit.

You can also search for a place, open its place card, and choose More → Download offline map → Download. Google's Android instructions and iPhone instructions show both methods.

Within the saved area, you can search for places and get driving directions for a route entirely inside it when you are offline. Walking, cycling and transit directions are not available offline, nor are live traffic or alternate driving routes. Check the area before departure: downloaded maps take phone storage and must be updated before they expire. Google Maps tries to update them over Wi-Fi once 15 days or less remain; you can also open Offline maps, select an expiring area and tap Update. Downloads are unavailable in some regions.

Apple Maps on iPhone (iOS 17 or later)

1. On Wi-Fi, open Maps and search for your destination. Tap the place in the results, then Download if shown, or More → Download Map.
2. Adjust the area to include the places and routes you expect to use. Check the displayed file size, then tap Download.
3. To find or manage it later, tap your picture or initials beside the search field, then Offline Maps. Here you can add another area, resize or delete one, and choose Wi-Fi downloads and Automatic Updates.

Within a downloaded area, you can search for places. Apple says its offline maps provide place details such as hours and ratings, plus turn-by-turn driving, walking, cycling and transit directions with an estimated arrival time. Availability varies by area, and live information such as current traffic or updated transit times still needs data. See Apple's offline map guide for the current steps.

Before you set off

Download on Wi-Fi a day or two before your trip, leave room in phone storage, and check that your whole route fits inside the saved area. Test your route in Airplane Mode before departure so you can fix any gaps. Offline maps save map downloads, but place details not stored on your phone, messaging, ride-hailing and live updates still use data. Pick an eSIM plan for your destination that covers those needs and your trip length, instead of sizing it for constant map downloads.