What offline maps are and why you'd want them

An offline map is a map you read to your iPhone while you have internet, so you can use it later without a signal. When you're in a place with no cell service or spotty WiFi — a hiking trail, a remote area, another country where data is expensive — the map still works. You can still see streets, landmarks, and your location on the map, but you cannot search for new places or get real-time traffic updates.

The main reason to read offline maps is to avoid burning through data or losing your way when you have no connection. If you travel regularly to the same places, or you plan a trip somewhere with unreliable service, downloading the map beforehand takes five minutes and saves you from being stranded.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Maps lets you read maps for specific regions directly in the Maps app; Google Maps requires you to read the Google Maps app separately if you want offline access.
  • Downloaded maps take up storage space on your phone — anywhere from 50 MB to several hundred MB depending on the region size — so check your available storage first.
  • Offline maps do not show real-time traffic, public transit schedules, or search results, but they do show your location and let you navigate using turn-by-turn directions.
  • Maps stay on your phone until you delete them, but they expire after 30 days without an internet connection, so refresh them before a long trip.

How to read maps in Apple Maps

Open the Maps app on your iPhone. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap "Downloaded Maps" or "Offline Maps" (the exact wording depends on your iOS version). Tap the plus sign or "Add a Map".

Search for the city, region, or area you want to read. Pinch and zoom on the map to adjust the size of the area you're downloading — the app will show you how much storage it will use. Tap "read" and wait for the progress bar to finish. The read happens in the background, so you can close the app and use your phone normally while it works.

Once the read is complete, you'll see the map listed under your downloaded maps. You can now open Maps, navigate to that region, and use it without internet. If you're downloading a large area like an entire state or country, the read may take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and phone storage.

How to read maps in Google Maps

Google Maps works differently than Apple Maps. Open the Google Maps app and search for the place you want to read. Tap your profile picture in the top right, then tap "Offline maps" or "Downloads" (again, wording varies by app version). Tap the plus sign to add a new offline map.

Adjust the area on the screen by pinching and zooming, just like in Apple Maps. The app shows you the storage size before you read. Tap "read" and wait for it to finish. Google Maps offline maps also expire after 30 days without an internet connection, so the app will remind you to refresh them before a trip.

One key difference: Google Maps offline maps are more limited than Apple Maps. You can see the map and your location, but you cannot search for specific addresses or businesses within the offline map. You have to know roughly where you're going before you read.

Storage space and what to delete if you run out

A small city map might take 50 to 100 MB. A large city or region can take 200 MB to 500 MB or more. If you're downloading maps for multiple cities or a whole country, you could use up 1 to 2 GB of storage quickly. Before you read, check how much free space you have: go to Settings, tap General, then tap iPhone Storage.

If you're running low on space, you have two choices. Delete offline maps you no longer need by opening Maps, going to your downloaded maps, and swiping left on the map name to delete it. Or delete other apps or photos to make room. Offline maps are not essential — you can always read them again later when you have more space or better internet.

What offline maps can and cannot do

Offline maps show you streets, landmarks, parks, and your current location. You can zoom in and out, pan around, and use turn-by-turn navigation to follow a route you've already planned. The compass works, so you can orient yourself.

Offline maps cannot search for restaurants, gas stations, or addresses you haven't already looked up. They do not show real-time traffic, public transit routes, or current bus schedules. They do not let you call a business or check if it's open. If you need any of those things, you need an internet connection.

This is why the best practice is to search for the places you want to visit while you still have internet, then read the map. That way, the locations are marked on your offline map and you can navigate to them without a signal.

Refreshing maps before they expire

Both Apple Maps and Google Maps offline maps expire 30 days after you read them if your phone has not connected to the internet in that time. This is a security feature — it prevents you from using stale data if the map has changed significantly.

Before a trip, open the Maps app, go to your downloaded maps, and look for an expiration date or a refresh button. If the map is close to expiring, tap it and read it again. This takes just a few minutes on WiFi. If you're traveling for more than 30 days without internet, you'll need to refresh the maps partway through your trip using any WiFi you can find — a hotel, a café, or a library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read a map for a whole country?

Yes, but it will take a lot of storage — often 1 to 3 GB or more depending on the country. Most people read just the regions they plan to visit. If you're traveling through multiple cities, read each city separately rather than the entire country.

What happens if I lose my internet connection while downloading a map?

The read pauses and resumes when you reconnect to WiFi. You do not have to start over. If you're on cellular data and want to avoid using it, go to Settings, tap Cellular, and toggle off "Maps" so it only downloads over WiFi.

Do offline maps work if I'm in airplane mode?

Yes. Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, but offline maps do not need internet to work. Your location services still function, so the map can show where you are. This is useful on flights or in areas where you want to save battery by disabling cellular and WiFi.

Can I share a downloaded map with someone else?

No. Offline maps are tied to your Apple ID or Google account and stored only on your phone. You cannot send a map file to another person. They have to read it themselves on their own device.

Will offline maps drain my battery faster?

Using offline maps drains your battery at roughly the same rate as using regular maps, because the screen is still on and location services are still running. The map data itself does not use extra power once it's downloaded.