Why you might want to read directions before you leave

Downloading directions to your phone means you can see them even if you lose cell service or your data connection drops. This is useful in areas with spotty coverage, on long road trips, or if you want to avoid using mobile data. Once downloaded, the map and turn-by-turn directions stay on your phone and work without connecting to the internet.

The process differs depending on whether you use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or another navigation app. Each one stores downloaded maps in a slightly different way, and each has limits on how much you can read at once or how long the read stays on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Maps lets you read a rectangular area of the map by tapping the profile icon, selecting "Offline maps," and choosing "Select your own map."
  • Apple Maps downloads a small area automatically around your current location, but you cannot manually read a larger region ahead of time.
  • Downloaded maps expire after 30 days in Google Maps and need to be refreshed by opening the app and connecting to the internet.
  • Downloaded directions take up storage space on your phone, so check how much free space you have before downloading a large region.
  • You still need location services turned on for your phone to know where you are, even when using offline directions.

How to read directions in Google Maps

Open Google Maps and search for the location or area you want to read. Zoom in or out until the map shows the region you need. Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner, then select "Offline maps."

Tap "Select your own map." A blue rectangle will appear on the screen showing the area that will be downloaded. Drag the corners and edges of the rectangle to cover the route you plan to take. The app will show you how much storage space the read will use. Tap "read" and wait for the process to finish — this can take a few minutes depending on the size of the area.

Once the read is complete, you can close Google Maps and the map will stay on your phone. When you open the app later without an internet connection, Google Maps will use the downloaded map and show your location based on GPS.

How to read directions in Apple Maps

Apple Maps does not let you manually read a specific area ahead of time the way Google Maps does. Instead, Apple Maps automatically downloads a small area around your current location when you have an internet connection. This cached map stays on your phone for a limited time.

If you want offline navigation in Apple Maps, the best approach is to open the app while you still have cell service, search for your destination, and start navigation. The app will read the route and surrounding map as you go. You can also open the map of your destination area and let it load completely before you lose service.

How to read directions in other navigation apps

Many third-party navigation apps have their own offline read features. Waze does not support offline maps, but apps like Maps.me, Organic Maps, and Sygic let you read entire regions or countries for offline use.

To read in Maps.me, open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select "Downloads," choose your region, and tap the read button. The process is similar in other offline-focused apps — look for a "Downloads," "Offline," or "My Maps" section in the app's menu. Read the app's instructions carefully, as storage limits and expiration dates vary.

How much storage space you need

A downloaded map of a single city typically uses 50 to 200 megabytes of storage, depending on the size of the city and the level of detail. A larger region like an entire state can use 500 megabytes to several gigabytes. Before you read, check how much free space your phone has by going to Settings and looking at Storage (on Android) or iPhone Storage (on iPhone).

If your phone is nearly full, downloading a large map region may slow down your phone or prevent other apps from working properly. Delete old photos, videos, or unused apps to free up space first. You can also read a smaller area — just the neighborhood or route you need — rather than an entire region.

When downloaded maps expire and how to refresh them

Google Maps downloaded maps stay on your phone for 30 days. After that, they expire and you will need to read them again. Apple Maps cached maps expire sooner, usually within a few days. Maps.me and similar apps keep downloaded maps indefinitely until you delete them.

To refresh an expired Google Maps read, open the app while connected to the internet, go to "Offline maps," find the map you downloaded, and tap the refresh icon. The app will re-read the map and reset the 30-day timer. You do not have to delete the old version first — tapping refresh will update it automatically.

What to do if your downloaded directions do not work

If you downloaded directions but your phone cannot find your location, the problem is usually that location services are turned off. Even with offline maps, your phone needs GPS to know where you are on the map. Go to Settings, find Location or Location Services, and make sure it is turned on.

If location services are on but you still see a blank map, try closing the navigation app completely and opening it again. If the map still does not appear, the read may have been interrupted. Delete the offline map and read it again while connected to a strong internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read directions for a route I have not planned yet?

Yes. In Google Maps, you can read any rectangular area of the map without planning a specific route first. Just search for the region, adjust the read rectangle, and tap read. When you are ready to navigate, open the app and search for your destination within the downloaded area.

Do I need to pay to read offline maps?

Google Maps and Apple Maps let you read offline maps for free. Some third-party apps like Maps.me are also free. Other apps like Sygic charge a subscription fee for offline map downloads. Check the app's pricing before you read.

What happens if I drive outside the area I downloaded?

If you leave the downloaded area, your navigation app will stop showing the map and directions. You will need to reconnect to the internet to read the next region or to continue navigation. Plan your downloads to cover your entire route, or read overlapping areas so you do not have gaps.

Can I share a downloaded map with someone else?

No. Downloaded maps are stored on your phone and cannot be transferred to another phone or shared directly. The other person would need to read the same map to their own phone using their own app.

Will offline directions drain my phone battery faster?

Offline navigation uses GPS, which does drain battery faster than regular map viewing. However, it uses less battery than navigation with a live internet connection because the app is not constantly downloading map data. Bring a charger or portable battery pack on long trips where you plan to use offline navigation for hours.