What offline maps are and why you need them

Offline maps are map data stored directly on your iPhone so you can view them, search locations, and get directions without an internet connection. When you read a map region ahead of time, your phone has the street layout, business locations, and routing information saved locally. This means you can navigate in areas with no cell service, avoid using your data plan, and keep working with maps even if your signal drops.

The most common offline map app is Apple Maps, which comes built into every iPhone. Google Maps also offers offline map downloads, though the process differs slightly. Both let you read specific regions — a city, a neighborhood, or an entire state — and use them for navigation and searching later.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Maps lets you read regions directly through the app by searching a location, tapping the name, and selecting "read" from the menu.
  • Downloaded maps stay on your phone for 30 days before expiring, and you can refresh them anytime by downloading again.
  • Google Maps requires you to search a location, tap your profile picture, select "Offline maps," and choose "Select your own map" to read a custom area.
  • Downloaded maps use storage space on your phone, so delete old regions you no longer need to free up room.
  • Offline maps work for navigation and searching, but features like real-time traffic and restaurant reservations require an internet connection.

How to read maps in Apple Maps

Open Apple Maps and search for the city, region, or landmark you want to read. Tap the name or location card that appears at the bottom of the screen. A menu will open showing options like directions, sharing, and more — look for "read" or a read icon. Tap it, and your iPhone will begin saving that map region to your device.

The read size depends on the area. A single city typically takes 50 to 200 megabytes, while an entire state can be 500 megabytes to over a gigabyte. Make sure you have enough storage space and are connected to Wi-Fi, since downloading over cellular data can use a lot of your monthly allowance. The read may take several minutes depending on the region size and your connection speed.

Once downloaded, the map stays on your phone for 30 days. After that, it expires and you will need to read it again if you want to keep using it offline. You can manually refresh a map before it expires by downloading it again — this updates it with any new street or business information Apple has added.

How to read maps in Google Maps

Open Google Maps and search for the city or area you want to read. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Offline maps" from the menu. Choose "Select your own map" and you will see a preview of the area Google will read. Use your fingers to zoom in or out and move the map to adjust the region size — the app shows you how much storage the read will use.

Tap "read" and Google Maps will save that region to your phone. Like Apple Maps, this works best over Wi-Fi and may take several minutes. Google Maps keeps offline maps on your device indefinitely, unlike Apple Maps, so you do not need to refresh them monthly. However, the maps will not include real-time traffic, transit schedules, or restaurant reservation links — those features require an active internet connection.

What you can and cannot do with offline maps

Offline maps let you search for addresses, businesses, and landmarks within the downloaded region. You can get turn-by-turn navigation, see street names and building locations, and find nearby gas stations, restaurants, or hospitals. The maps show you the same street layout and business listings you would see online, just without live updates.

Features that require an internet connection will not work offline. Real-time traffic conditions, current transit schedules, restaurant hours, reviews, and the ability to book reservations or call directly from the app all need a live connection. If you need these features, you will have to wait until you have cell service or Wi-Fi again.

Managing storage and deleting maps you no longer need

Downloaded maps take up storage space on your iPhone. In Apple Maps, you can see your downloaded regions by opening the app, tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and selecting "Downloaded Maps." Each region shows its size. To delete one, swipe left on it and tap "Delete," or tap "Edit" and select multiple regions to remove at once.

In Google Maps, tap your profile picture, go to "Offline maps," and you will see all your downloaded regions listed. Tap the one you want to remove and select "Delete." Regularly deleting maps you no longer use frees up storage space for photos, apps, and other files. If your iPhone storage is nearly full, deleting old map regions is a quick way to recover gigabytes of space.

When offline maps work best

Offline maps are most useful when you are traveling to an area where you expect poor or no cell service — hiking trails, rural regions, or countries where your phone plan does not include data. read maps before you leave home or before you enter an area with spotty coverage. This way you have navigation ready even if your signal drops.

They also help if you want to avoid using your cellular data plan. Downloading maps over Wi-Fi at home and using them offline throughout the day can significantly reduce your monthly data usage. If you travel frequently to the same cities, downloading those maps once means you can navigate offline every time you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much storage do offline maps use?

A single city typically uses 50 to 200 megabytes, while larger regions like an entire state can use 500 megabytes to over a gigabyte. The exact size depends on the area's size and how detailed the map data is. Both Apple Maps and Google Maps show you the storage size before you read, so you can decide whether you have enough space.

Can I use offline maps for navigation without any internet?

Yes. Once downloaded, you can search for addresses, get turn-by-turn directions, and navigate without any cell service or Wi-Fi. However, real-time traffic, transit schedules, and restaurant information require an internet connection. Basic navigation and location searching work completely offline.

Do offline maps update automatically?

Apple Maps offline maps expire after 30 days and must be downloaded again to refresh. Google Maps keeps offline maps indefinitely, but they do not update automatically. To get the latest street and business information in either app, you need to read the region again while connected to the internet.

What happens if I run out of storage space?

Your iPhone will not let you read a map if there is not enough free storage. Delete old maps you no longer need, remove unused apps, or clear out old photos and videos to make room. Once you have freed up space, you can read the map again.

Can I read maps for multiple cities at once?

Yes. You can read as many regions as your storage allows. Both Apple Maps and Google Maps let you manage multiple offline maps simultaneously. Just keep in mind that each region takes up storage space, so downloading an entire country or multiple large states may use several gigabytes.