Remember picking up roadmaps at the gas station and keeping a stash in the glove compartment? Those days are behind us, thanks to all the ways to get GPS in our cars. Some vehicles come with the software, but you can always add a device even if yours doesn’t. Or you can use your phone.
The nice thing about having a portable GPS is that it can do much more than get you where you need to go. You can explore restaurants, find rest stops and check the traffic. Or you can see the world from the comfort of home. Tap or click here to explore shipwreck sites on Google Maps.
What to do if you have a bad signal? Your fancy GPS won’t work. Before you reach for the glove compartment, we’ll show you a trick that will keep you on your path even when you have no cell service.
Don’t leave home without a map
If you know you’re heading into an area with poor signal or long stretches of lonely roads, you can download an area map ahead of time. Think national parks or mountainous regions. Even an overcast sky can mess with your GPS.
Luckily, you can download a map to use offline with Google Maps. Do this before you embark on your journey, and you’ll still get guidance, even if the service is spotty or nonexistent.
Downloading a map from Google Maps to your iPhone
- Make sure you’re connected to the internet andnot in Incognito mode.
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Search for your destination, a city or a landmark.
- Tap the name or address of the placeat the bottom of your screen, then tap the three dots.
- SelectDownload offline map>Download.
After downloading an area, use the Google Maps app like you normally would. If your internet connection is slow or absent, your offline map will guide you to your destination.
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Downloading a map from Google Maps to your Android phone
- Make sure you’re connected to the internet.
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Search for your destination, a city or a landmark.
- Tap the name or address of the placeat the bottom of your screen, then tap Download > Download.
- If you searched for a place like a restaurant, tap the three dots, then Download offline map > Download.
Like an iPhone, after downloading an area on Android, use the Google Maps app like you normally would. If your internet connection is slow or absent, your offline map will guide you to your destination.
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Apple Maps works offline, but not in the same way
Apple Maps doesn’t give you the option to download a map. It does, however, cache your destination and save the route until you get there. If you have bad service along the way, you can still use Apple Maps, though you won’t be able to add a pitstop or see traffic.
There’s a significant problem here. With any map app, you’ll need cellular service to set up a route. But what happens if your destination doesn’t have a signal? Let’s say you drive to a national park. If you downloaded the map ahead of time, as you can with Google Maps, you could use it to find your way back.
While Apple Maps can get you to the park without a signal, you will not be able to use it to get back. Perhaps you should keep some maps in the car just in case.
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FAQs
Search for your destination, a city or a landmark. Tap the name or address of the place at the bottom of your screen, then tap the three dots. Select Download offline map > Download.
How does Google Maps work with no signal? ›
Use offline maps
After you've downloaded an area, use the Google Maps app just as you normally would. If your Internet connection is slow or absent, your offline maps will guide you to your destination as long as the entire route is within the offline map.
Can you use Apple Maps without signal? ›
With offline maps in iOS 17 and later, you can use Maps for information and navigation even when you don't have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Offline maps include details like hours and ratings on places, turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling, or riding transit, and estimated arrival times.
How do I get Google Maps to work without service? ›
Select your own map
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
- Tap your profile picture or initial. Offline maps.
- Tap Select your own map.
- Adjust the map according to the area you want to download.
- Tap Download.
An iPhone's GPS will work just fine w/o cell coverage - your phone will know where it is … … but YOU will not be able see your location displayed on Apple Maps w/o a data connection to download the map.
Will Google Maps work without a cell signal? ›
Like an iPhone, after downloading an area on Android, use the Google Maps app like you normally would. If your internet connection is slow or absent, your offline map will guide you to your destination.
How does GPS work with no signal? ›
In addition, the cellular signal communicates with the satellites and will help you locate quickly without a data connection. GPS tracks the location through the phone signal and pre-downloaded map data. You can use offline map navigation even if your mobile phone is in airplane mode.
Do I need cell service for Apple Maps? ›
Even when you can't access Wi-Fi or cellular service, you can view information like hours and ratings on place cards, get turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling, or riding transit, and see your estimated time of arrival. Note: Offline maps are available in select areas.
Does Apple support offline Maps? ›
In the Maps app , you can save a map of an area and use it when your iPhone is offline.
Can you use Maps without reception? ›
Thankfully, Maps has an offline feature to help you navigate safely even when your phone might be showing zero bars. Offline maps can be an especially useful tool for people who frequently travel abroad or visit remote areas with spotty cell service.
GPS does not require any form of internet connectivity. GPS depends on signals from satellites. Anyone can harness these signals using a GPS receiver. You can test this fact by turning off the internet connection on your phone and using Google Maps.
Can I use Google Maps in airplane mode? ›
It is possible to create a route between 2 points on wifi, then switch to airplane mode to follow it without using data. However, this will not give you the option to make changes or view an enlarged map. There you have it!
How do offline maps know your location? ›
In fact, your phone uses GPS to know where you are on the map and data to load that map. So if you take a wrong turn, the offline map will still know where you are and tell you.
Does Apple Maps work without signal? ›
Apple Maps works offline, but not in the same way
If you have bad service along the way, you can still use Apple Maps, though you won't be able to add a pitstop or see traffic.
Does Find My iPhone work if there is no signal? ›
If the device is offline, you see its location, but it doesn't play a sound. For AirPods and supported Beats headphones, you can locate them when they're near your device and connected to Bluetooth®.
Can Find My iPhone work without signal? ›
The Find My network is an encrypted, anonymous network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices that can help find your stuff, even when it's offline. Nearby devices send the location of your missing device to iCloud securely, so you can find it in Find My.
Will Google Maps still work if you lose service? ›
Thankfully, Maps has an offline feature to help you navigate safely even when your phone might be showing zero bars. Offline maps can be an especially useful tool for people who frequently travel abroad or visit remote areas with spotty cell service.
How does GPS work without network? ›
GPS does not require any form of internet connectivity. As already mentioned, GPS dependent on the signals from satellites. Anyone can harness these signals using a GPS receiver. You can test this fact by turning of the internet connection on your phone and try to use google maps.
Does Google Maps location work without data? ›
The GPS function itself is local to the phone and does not require internet. Only the map and other useful information around the “you are here” dot require data. You need data to plot the new route (because that is done on a server, not on your phone) and to download the route.
