Lear How to Download Apps to Use GPS Offline

GPS technology has reshaped our navigation and interaction with our surroundings. Enter an address, and the map provides clear instructions. Maps simplify exploration, giving quick access to vast information.

Yet, online maps are less effective in areas with weak or no internet. Thankfully, there are apps for GPS use offline. This article highlights the top 5 offline navigation apps.

They offer turn-by-turn directions, route planning, and information on points of interest, landmarks, and eateries, all without an internet connection.

Benefits of Using Offline GPS

Using offline navigation apps offers several advantages:

No Internet Required: The most significant benefit of offline maps is their independence from Internet connectivity. You can download the maps and navigate to various destinations, plan routes, and more, all without requiring an internet connection.
Data Usage Reduction: Offline maps are stored locally on your device, eliminating the need to use your data allowance to access specific locations or plan routes.
Faster Loading: Offline maps load much quicker than their online counterparts, as they don’t rely on internet downloads.
Battery Conservation: Navigation apps typically cause faster battery depletion. Using maps offline can conserve some battery life.
Enhanced Privacy: Some apps, like Google Maps, track your location history. Utilizing offline maps prevents the transmission of your location data over the internet, offering a degree of added privacy.

Google Maps

Google Maps is the leading navigation app, trusted by billions worldwide. It has become the primary choice for navigation, especially for Android users.

Since its launch in February 2005, Google Maps has continually evolved, introducing offline map support in 2015.

This feature allows users to download specific areas, such as cities or towns, for offline use. With coverage in over 220 countries and territories, Google Maps enables you to download any map area for offline navigation.

Offline Maps in Google Maps

The app clearly explains the storage and data needed to download maps for offline use. These offline maps last about 15 days without a data connection, after which they require an update.

For devices with microSD card support, you can transfer data to the SD card through the app’s storage preferences. You can search for places, discover businesses, and get driving directions offline without an internet connection.

While some features like bike routes and traffic information are unavailable offline, turn-by-turn navigation remains functional.

Features and Recommendations

Google Maps guides you to your destination and offers recommendations from local experts and publishers. It also includes indoor maps for navigating complex structures like airports and malls.

The app provides essential information such as arrival times when using maps offline. Additional features include insights into trending locations, the ability to review visited places, and the option to contribute photos for more accurate mapping.

Once you reconnect to the internet, offline maps are automatically updated with new information, ensuring you have the latest data.

Collaboration and User Interface

The app’s collaborative features allow you to share lists of options and vote in real time. You can also create lists of your favorite places and share them with friends.

Another highlight is Google Maps’ user interface, which offers a clean and intuitive design that simplifies navigation and search.

Using Google Maps Offline: A Step-by-Step Guide

Open the App: Launch the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
Access Profile: Tap on your profile picture in the upper right corner.
Select Offline Maps: Choose “Offline Maps” from the menu.
Download Area: Tap on “Select Your Own Map” and adjust the rectangle over the area you wish to download. You can drag and zoom to define the map area.
Download: Tap “Download.” The selected area will be downloaded and added to your offline maps section. By default, downloads occur over Wi-Fi. To download over cellular networks, adjust your settings accordingly.

Apple Maps

Apple Maps now supports offline navigation, a feature previously exclusive to Google Maps.

With iOS 17, users can download specific map sections for turn-by-turn navigation, nearby place discovery, and route directions without an internet connection.

Downloading Maps for Offline Use

To use this feature, search for a particular area or location within the app and download it for offline use.

Currently, Apple’s offline map availability is restricted to select locations.

If your area is supported, simply tap your profile icon, choose the desired area or location, and hit the download button to save the map for offline access. All downloaded maps can be viewed in the map’s Downloads section.

Detailed Guide and Quick Steps

For a comprehensive guide on utilizing Apple Maps offline, refer to our detailed instructions.

Here’s a quick summary to get you started with downloading Apple Maps on your iPhone:

Note: Offline support for Apple Maps is only accessible on devices with iOS 17 or later. If your device doesn’t meet this criterion, consider alternatives like Google Maps or Maps.Me for offline map usage. Unfortunately, there is no workaround to download and use Apple Maps offline without iOS 17.

Steps to Download and Use Apple Maps Offline:

Launch the Apple Maps app on your iPhone.
Tap your profile icon in the bar, then select the “Offline Maps” option.
Choose “Download New Map.”
Search for the area you wish to download. The app will typically suggest your home area.
The app will display the required storage space to save the map. Confirm by clicking the “Download” button, and the map will be added to the “Downloaded” list.

Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps

The Sygic app is ideal for commuters and professional drivers.

It features real-time traffic updates, the fastest route corrections, and additional functionalities such as speed limit warnings, dashcam, head-up display, voice navigation, mobile speed camera alerts, and more.

Offline Capability

The map operates offline without an internet connection. Users can select from maps covering over 200 countries and save the necessary maps on their phones.

All map features, including high-quality offline maps, millions of points of interest, and route calculation software, are stored on the phone, enabling offline navigation to various destinations.

Offline Maps and Features

Sygic’s offline maps include popular landmarks, restaurants, and more. The app allows users to search for places and points of interest in offline mode using the search bar.

Additionally, it offers offline voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, enabling users to receive vocal instructions when navigating to specific locations.

Availability and Versions

Sygic is available for both iOS and Android platforms and supports multiple languages for navigation.

The app has free and premium versions. The free version includes features like offline maps, search, route calculation, places of interest, and static speed camera alerts.

Offline maps are updated three times a year at no cost. Upgrading to the premium version allows for more frequent map updates and additional features such as voice-guided navigation, turn-by-turn navigation, intersection view, smart cam, and more.

NaviMaps

NaviMaps by MapmyIndia is an app designed specifically for offline use. The app allows you to download maps and use them offline.

Currently, NaviMaps only supports offline maps of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, including 3D landmarks, terrain models, city models, and more.

Data Collection Process

Unlike Google Maps or other popular apps we’ve reviewed that rely on user-uploaded data, NaviMaps has a team of over 400 surveyors who visit locations and collect data about each place.

Downloading Maps

You can simply select the country and state and download the map. After installing the app, you will be prompted to select the country and then the state within the country.

The app will display a list of all states and the size of the map. You can simply select the state and start downloading.

You’ll need an internet connection to download the map. NaviMaps offers free lifetime map updates, but the frequency of these updates is not mentioned.

Offline Features

NaviMaps also allows you to search for locations and points of interest in offline mode. The offline maps include points of interest, such as gas stations and parking lots.

The app also offers voice-guided navigation in English and 10 regional languages when you use the app offline.

User Interface and Availability

The app is simple and easy to use. NaviMaps is available for both iOS and Android platforms. You can download maps for offline use directly in the app. The app comes in a free version and a paid version.

The free version of the app includes features like offline maps, offline search, route calculation, places of interest, live traffic data, and more.

Upgrade to the premium version and get voice and visual turn-by-turn directions, lane assistance, speed alerts, POIs along the route, automatic rerouting, house number search, 3D landmarks, and more.

Maps.Me

Maps.Me is a widely used mapping app designed for offline navigation. This free app utilizes OpenStreetMap data, which is updated daily by a global community of contributors.

The app allows users to manage their favorite places by adding, saving, deleting, importing, and exporting them.

Global Coverage and Offline Routes

With coverage in 345 countries and islands, Maps.Me offers offline driving, biking, and hiking routes. Users can search for specific locations and download maps for offline access.

The app provides a wealth of points of interest, including restaurants, shopping centers, national parks, beach resorts, amusement parks, and more, all categorized for easy searching.

Collaboration Features and Free Downloads

Maps.Me supports collaboration, enabling users to save and share their favorite locations. The app is completely free, offering unlimited map downloads.

It automatically detects your location and prompts you to download the corresponding offline map. Users can also search for and download maps for specific locations.

Regular Updates and Easy Accessibility

While the frequency of map updates is not explicitly stated, the app’s support page indicates that OpenStreetMap data is refreshed with a new version nearly every month.

The app is user-friendly and available for both iOS and Android devices.

Download Maps.Me app: Android | iOS

General Steps on How to Download Offline GPS Apps

Downloading offline GPS apps for Android and Apple devices is a simple process.

These apps are essential for navigation in areas with limited or no internet connectivity.

By following a few simple steps, you can ensure that you have access to maps and directions even when you’re offline.

Steps for Downloading Offline GPS Apps:

Open the App Store or Google Play Store: On your Apple device, launch the App Store. If you’re using an Android device, open the Google Play Store.
Search for the App: Use the search bar to find the offline GPS app you want to download. Popular options include Maps.Me, Google Maps, and HERE WeGo.
Select the App: Tap on the app’s name to view its details, including user reviews and features.
Download the App: Click on the “Download” or “Install” button to start the download process. Once the download is complete, the app will automatically install on your device.
Open the App and Download Maps: Launch the app and navigate to the map download section. Select the specific maps or regions you wish to download for offline use.
Set Permissions: Allow the app to access your device’s location services to enable accurate GPS tracking.

Download Links

Here are the links to the mentioned apps above:

Google Maps: Available for Android and iOS devices.
Apple Maps: iOS
Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps: Android and iOS
NaviMaps app: Android
Maps.Me app: Android | iOS

Final Thoughts

Offline maps are vital in areas with poor internet. Apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps offer downloadable maps, while Maps.me, Sygic Maps, and NaviMaps allow for offline use of entire regions.

Although offline maps have clear advantages, they also have limitations, such as no real-time updates, significant storage space requirements, infrequent updates, and limited navigation features.

Regularly updating offline maps is crucial to avoid missing important changes.