Can't Save Offline Google Maps

[happycharmtropical]

I'm going on a trip to Japan soon, and I'm trying to save offline google maps.

Most importantly, I'm trying to save instructions / routes. I'll be biking and using the subways so I really need detailed routes.

I googled and found this, the latest instructions I could find:

Make sure you're connected to the Internet and signed in to your Google account.
Open the Google Maps app maps.
Search for a place, like "San Francisco."
At the bottom, touch the bar that has the name of the place you searched.
In the upper right, touch the menu three vertical dots.
To save the map, select Save offline map. And follow the directions on the screen.
To view your offline map, see the directions for viewing your saved maps below.

But when I click the three vertical dots it gives me a checklist with the following options:
Public Transit
Satellite
Terrain

I found on the Play Store there's another Google app called "My Maps" but it seems like such a useless app. I can't make any routes at all, let alone download an offline map. Whenever I click something it usually just directs me back to Google's "Map" app. What's the point?

What's important is that I can get public transportation information.

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks!

 

[Rukbat]

1) Version 8.2.0 of Maps, when you touch the name of the place, brings up a popup with the name, Route, Save, Share, some pictures and Save maps to use offline. If they "updated" that away, find an earlier version. If you're running an earlier version, update.

2) My Maps doesn't save routes, it saves locations. It does for Maps what Contacts does for phone calls. Once you have a location set up, you just run MyMaps, find the location (by name), tap it, navigate to it, and Maps runs, set up to give you turn-by-turn to that location. (That facility should really be part of Maps, but I guess no one at Google ever actually had to use Maps do no one thought of it.)

 

[happycharmtropical]

I see everything you said EXCEPT save maps to use offline. How do I find the version I have? When I opened the app this morning, it told me to update it so I did. This is the first time I've used the app on this tablet, thus why it updated. How can I downgrade it?

This is so frustrating. I'm considering going old school and printing everything.

 

[Javier P]

It seems that offline maps are available for some countries only. This is the list published by Google and Japan isn't included

https://support.google.com/gmm/answer/2650347?hl=en

 

[eams1986]

I think what you have to do on the internet being connected translate to google apps is the option.

 

[Kleine_Zuster]

I'm very curious what you've used in Japan. Because I have the same problem right now; Google maps doesnt work offline in Japan (not available). I've tried a lot of offline map apps, but they are all very inconvenient in Japan (because of the Japanese characters)

 

[kmailarry]

Use mapme instead it's free and in the store free download your country and other maps free too. Can use totally offline no WiFi or 3g needed and has excellent voice navigation too.