Your Guide to Saving Google Maps Locations for Offline Use

No Wi-Fi? 

That's no problem for Google Maps.

Using the app's offline option, you can save specific locations on your phone to access even when you don't have an Internet connection. That way, when you're on the subway or in an area with terrible cell service, you can still pull up those saved maps and go on your merry way.

However, this requires some preparation on your part. We used an iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S5 for a location-saving tutorial, but you can use any iPhone, iPad or Android device with Google Maps 3.0.

Here's a step-by-step guide to saving places on Google Maps. You can thank us later.

iPhone tutorial

• 1. Search for a location. We chose 'Empire State Building.'

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 2. When it appears, click the info bar at the bottom and roll it up.

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 3. Scroll to the bottom, where you'll see the option 'Save map to use offline.'

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 4. You should see a confirmation at the top that says, 'Map saved.'

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 5. Once you're offline, go to your profile to see saved maps.

  

  You can get to your profile by clicking on the person icon in the top-right corner of the Google Maps homepage. Once you're on your profile, you'll see the option to look at "Offline Maps." Click the map you want.

  Image: Google Maps

• 6. Voilà – here's your map.

  

  Image: Google Maps

Android tutorial

Now for the second round. Here's how to save locations on an Android phone. The steps and interface are essentially the same, but we included it to avoid any confusion.

• 1. Search for a location. We stuck with 'Empire State Building.'

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 2. Select the white info log on the bottom and scroll down. You'll see 'Save map to use offline' at the bottom.

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 3. Google Maps will prompt you with the option 'Save this map?' Go ahead and save it.

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 4. You'll see the 'Map saved' confirmation.

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 5. Name the offline map.

  

  Image: Google Maps

• 6. To see the offline map, go to your profile.

  

  Just like on the iPhone, you can get to your profile by clicking the person icon in the top-right corner of the Google Maps homepage. Once on your profile, you'll see the option to look at "Offline Maps." Click the map you want. Bon voyage!