Google Maps is considered one of the most reliable and widely used navigation apps available in the market. A lot of people use it to find directions to their required destination. However, not everyone knows that Google Maps can be used to download directions, which can come handy in areas with poor or no internet connectivity. Learning this skill can be particularly useful for those who travel a lot, especially to remote areas. Therefore, in this blog post, we will teach you how to download directions from Google Maps Android.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Download Directions from Google Maps Android
Many people just rely on the live navigation feed of Google Maps and don’t realize that they can download directions to use later. Therefore, it can be a bit tricky for them to download maps and directions for offline use. However, once you learn it, it can save you a lot of time and trouble.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you start the process, you should ensure that you have the following things:
– An active internet connection
– Your Android device with Google Maps installed
– Sufficient storage space in your device
Method 1: Via Google Maps settings
Many people are not aware that they can download Google Maps directions from the app settings. Here’s how you can do this:
1. Open Google Maps on your Android device.
2. Tap on your profile picture located at the top right corner and select “Offline Maps”.
3. Now click on “Select Your Own Map”.
4. Select the map area you require by zooming in or zooming out the map.
5. When you have selected the area click on “Download”.
Pros: It is the most basic and simple method to download maps and directions from Google Maps.
Cons: The map area selection is not very precise, which can lead to download of unwanted areas, taking additional storage space.
Method 2: Via Google Maps search bar
You can also download maps from the search bar of Google Maps. The following are the steps to do so:
1. Open Google Maps on your Android device.
2. Search for a location you want to visit in the search bar.
3. Tap on the location name at the bottom of the screen to see more details.
4. Click on “Download” above the address.
5. Choose the size of the map.
Pros: It is a quick and easy method to download a specific location’s map.
Cons: The map size selector is not always available, making it difficult to choose the map size.
Method 3: Via Navigation buttons
Another way to download Google Maps directions is by using the navigation buttons. Here’s how you can do this:
1. Open Google Maps on your Android device.
2. Enter the location you want to visit in the search bar of your device.
3. Click on the “Directions” button.
4. Enter the mode of travel and find your desired route.
5. Click on the “Download” button in the lower left corner.
Pros: You can select any mode of travel, including foot, car, bike and public transport.
Cons: The map size selection is not very precise.
Why Can’t I Download Google Maps Directions?
There are some common reasons why you can’t download Google Maps directions. Here they are and how you can fix them:
Reason 1: Poor or no internet connectivity.
Fix: Always make sure that you have reliable internet connectivity when downloading maps.
Reason 2: Insufficient space available in your device for the downloaded maps.
Fix: Ensure that you have enough storage space available in your device before downloading the maps.
Reason 3: Outdated and old version of Google Maps.
Fix: Update your Google Maps app to the latest version from Google Play Store.
Additional Tip:
Always download a larger map area than you think you need. This can come handy when your route changes, or you deviate from your original plan.
5 FAQs about downloading Google Maps directions
Q1: How much space does a map take after it’s downloaded?
A: It depends on the size of the map you have chosen to download. The larger the map size, the more space it will take.
Q2: Can I download maps of other countries?
A: Yes, provided you have an active internet connection, you can download maps of other countries and use them offline.
Q3: Can I download maps for multiple locations at once?
A: No, unfortunately, you can only download maps and directions for one location at a time.
Q4: Are downloaded maps always accurate?
A: The offline maps are as accurate as the live Navigation of Google Maps. However, beware of any sudden changes in the route, as the maps may not reflect the most recent changes.
Q5: Can I download maps on an iOS device?
A: Yes, the process to download maps is similar on both iOS and Android devices.
In Conclusion
Downloading maps and directions from Google Maps can save you from a lot of trouble when you are traveling. In this blog post, we have shared three methods to download maps and directions from Google Maps on your Android device. We hope this information helps you to make the most out of this app’s features and ease your navigation when on the road.