read a map area before you travel

Google Maps lets you save a map region to your phone so you can use it without an internet connection. This is useful when you are traveling to an area with spotty service, crossing into a country where data is expensive, or straightforward want to avoid using your phone's data plan. The downloaded map includes streets, landmarks, and search results — but not real-time traffic or transit schedules.

You read maps through the Google Maps app itself, not through your phone's settings. The process takes a few minutes and uses storage space on your device. Each downloaded area stays on your phone until you delete it, even if you uninstall and reinstall the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Google Maps, search for a city or region, and tap the name at the bottom to open the place card, then tap "read" to save it offline.
  • Downloaded maps work without internet but do not show real-time traffic, transit schedules, or live business hours.
  • Each downloaded area takes up storage space on your phone — a city typically uses 50 to 200 megabytes depending on size and detail level.
  • You can read up to 15 map areas on Android and up to 15 on iPhone, though the limit depends on your device storage.
  • Delete downloaded maps from the app's menu to free up space, or they will remain on your phone indefinitely.

Steps to read a map on Android

Open the Google Maps app and search for the city, neighborhood, or region you want to read. Type the name in the search box at the top, or tap the search box and say the name aloud if voice search is turned on.

When the map appears, tap the name or address at the bottom of the screen. A card will slide up showing the place name, a photo, and options. Scroll down on this card until you see the "read" button, then tap it. The app will ask you to select the area size — you can zoom in or out to choose a smaller or larger region. Tap "read" again to confirm. The read will begin and show a progress bar. Once it finishes, you will see a checkmark next to the read button.

The downloaded map stays on your phone even when you close the app or restart your device. You can use it by opening Google Maps and searching normally — the app will automatically use the downloaded version when you have no internet connection.

Steps to read a map on iPhone

The process on iPhone is nearly identical to Android. Open Google Maps, search for the place you want, and tap the name or address at the bottom of the screen. The place card will appear.

On the place card, scroll down until you see "read this map" or a read icon. Tap it. You will see a preview of the area that will be downloaded, with zoom controls to adjust the size. Tap "read" to start. The app will show a progress indicator as it saves the map to your phone. Once finished, a checkmark will appear next to the read button.

How much storage space a downloaded map uses

The size of a downloaded map depends on the area and the level of detail. A single city neighborhood might use 20 to 50 megabytes. A whole city like San Francisco or Boston typically uses 100 to 200 megabytes. A larger region or state can use 500 megabytes to over 1 gigabyte.

Before you read, check how much free space your phone has. Go to Settings on Android and look for "Storage" to see available space. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap "General," then "iPhone Storage." If you are running low on space, delete old photos or videos first, or read a smaller map area instead of an entire region.

What works and what does not work offline

A downloaded map shows you streets, building outlines, landmarks, and saved places. You can search for addresses and businesses within the downloaded area, and the map will show you where they are. You can also use the compass to see which direction you are facing and get turn-by-turn walking directions.

What does not work offline: real-time traffic conditions, transit schedules and arrival times, ride-sharing options like Uber or Lyft, business hours and phone numbers, and restaurant reviews or ratings. If you need this information, take screenshots or write down details before you lose internet. Some third-party apps like Maps.me or Osmand offer more offline features, but Google Maps offline is designed for basic navigation only.

How to manage and delete downloaded maps

To see all your downloaded maps, open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap "Offline maps" or "Downloads" (the exact wording varies by phone and app version). You will see a list of every map you have saved.

To delete a map, tap it in the list and then tap "Delete" or the trash icon. The map will be removed from your phone and the storage space will be freed up. You can re-read the same map later if you need it again. If you want to update a map you already have — for example, to get the latest street data — delete the old version and read it again.

Limits on how many maps you can read

Google Maps allows you to read up to 15 map areas on both Android and iPhone. If you try to read a 16th map, the app will ask you to delete one of your existing downloads first. This limit exists to prevent people from downloading the entire world and to manage storage on devices.

If you regularly travel to many places, you can delete maps after your trip and read new ones for your next destination. There is no penalty for deleting and re-downloading the same area multiple times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read a map for a whole country?

You can read large regions, but very large areas like an entire country may exceed your phone's storage or hit the app's size limits. Try downloading the specific cities or regions you will visit instead. If you need offline maps for an entire country, consider using Maps.me or Osmand, which are designed for that purpose.

Will my downloaded map update automatically?

No. Downloaded maps are static snapshots from the date you downloaded them. New roads, closed businesses, and updated street names will not appear until you delete the map and read it again. Before a trip, read your maps a day or two before you leave so they are as current as possible.

What happens if I uninstall Google Maps and reinstall it?

Your downloaded maps will remain on your phone. When you reinstall Google Maps and sign in with the same account, the app will recognize the maps you already have and you can use them when ready without re-downloading.

Can I share a downloaded map with someone else?

No. Downloaded maps are stored privately on your phone and cannot be transferred to another person's device. They can read the same map area themselves using their own Google Maps app.

Do downloaded maps use data when I am offline?

No. Once a map is downloaded, using it offline consumes no data at all. Your phone only uses data if you perform actions that require internet, like searching for real-time transit information or loading business reviews.