How to Download a Map from Google Maps

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions.

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This wikiHow teaches you how to download maps of an area for offline use using Google Maps. Downloading a map area to your phone or tablet makes it possible to find your way around an area without having to use mobile data. Though there's no way to download a map area to a computer, you can download directions in advance of a trip so you don't have to worry about Wi-Fi.

Method 1 of 3:

Using an Android

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Map downloads use a lot of data so it's best to download maps when connected to Wi-Fi.

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Tap the menu ≡ at the top-left corner and select Offline maps .
Tap Settings

Android 7 Settings

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If you prefer, you can select a location visually on the map. To do this, return to the map, tap ≡ at the top-left corner, select Offline maps and then tap Custom map . Skip down to step 7 for the remaining steps.

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\n"> Tap the ↵ Enter key. The map will zoom in to the selected location.

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\n"> Tap the name of the place. It's near the bottom of the screen. Some more options will appear.

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\n"> Tap the Download

Android 7 Download" width="460" height="460" />

If you searched for a business or landmark, tap the ⁝ menu at the top and select Download offline map instead.

Step 7 Drag the box to select the area you want to download." width="460" height="345" />

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Pinch two fingers together on the screen to zoom out, or reverse-pinch to zoom in.

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Google Maps will continue using your mobile data plan whenever a connection is available. If you want to force Google Maps to use your downloaded map instead, tap the ≡ menu and select Wi-Fi only .
Though you can still get driving directions when you're offline, you won't be able to get public transit, walking, or biking directions.
You can manage your offline maps by tapping the ≡ menu and selecting Offline maps .

Advertisement Method 2 of 3:

Using an iPhone or iPad

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Map downloads use a lot of data so it's best to download maps when connected to Wi-Fi.

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If you prefer, you can select a location visually on the map. To do this, return to the map, tap ≡ at the top-left corner, select Offline maps and then tap Custom map . Skip down to step 7 for the remaining steps.

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\n"> Tap the Search key. The map will zoom in to the selected location.

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\n"> Tap the name of the place. It's near the bottom of the screen. Some more options will appear.

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\n"> Tap the ••• menu. It's near the top-right corner.

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\n"> Tap Download offline map . You'll see a box surrounding a suggested download area.

Step 7 Drag the box to select the area you want to download." width="460" height="345" />

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Pinch two fingers together on the screen to zoom out, or reverse-pinch to zoom in.

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Google Maps will continue using your mobile data plan whenever a connection is available. If you want to force Google Maps to use your downloaded map instead, you must disconnect from your mobile data plan. You can toggle mobile data on and off by swiping up from the bottom of the home screen and tapping the antennae icon (to the right of the airplane).
You can manage your offline maps by tapping the ≡ menu and selecting Offline maps .

Advertisement Method 3 of 3:

Using a Computer

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Go to https://maps.google.com on your computer. Though there's no way to download a map area when you're using a computer, you can download directions in advance and save them to a PDF file.

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Type your destination into the Search bar. If you want to save directions to a location, type the address or name of that location into this box. As you type, a list of matching results will appear.

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\n"> Click the location in the search results. The map will zoom in to the location.

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Click Directions . It's in the left panel. Look for the blue icon with a road sign containing an arrow.

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Enter a starting point. Just as you searched your destination, enter the name or address of the location you're traveling from into the box at the top-left corner of the page.

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Click the starting point in the search results. This will display a map that shows the route from the starting point to the destination.

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Depending on the location and destination, you may see multiple routes in the left panel. Click DETAILS below each route to find the one that works best for you.

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\n"> Click the printer icon. It's in the left panel at the top-right corner. A small pop-up will appear.

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Click Print including maps . This will include the map in the downloaded directions. If you don’t need a map, select Print text only instead.

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\n"> Click Print . It's the blue button at the top-right corner of the page. This opens the print panel.

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\n"> Select Save as PDF from the "Destination" menu. It's near the top-left corner of the Print dialog.

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\n"> Click Save . It's the blue button at the top-left corner of the dialog.

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Now that the directions are saved to your computer, you can review them without the need for an internet connection. Just double-click the PDF to open it.

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