Google Maps Offline

[Steve Daniel1]

Attempting to use Google Maps offline on my 6P. I downloaded an area, no prob. However, is there any indicator that you are using downloaded map versus carrier data? I can't see any indication. I'm concerned that I may be using data. Anyone have thoughts?

 

[LeoRex]

Reading around, it appears that Google will only switch to offline if there is no data connection available:

You can download an area by searching for a city, county or country, for instance, and tapping "Download" on the resulting place sheet, or by going to "Offline Areas" in the Google Maps menu and tapping on the “+” button. Once downloaded, Google Maps will move into offline mode automatically when it recognizes you’re in a location with spotty service or no connectivity at all. When a connection is found, it will switch back online so you can easily access the full version of Maps, including live traffic conditions for your current route. By default, we’ll only download areas to your device when you are on a Wi-Fi connection to prevent large data fees.

https://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/navigate-and-search-real-world-online.html

 

[bjrosen]

If you want real offline maps I suggest you get Sygic. It's not as accurate as Google maps but they have some nice features that Google doesn't have like speed limits, it displays the speed limit of your road and gives you a warning when you exceed a set amount about the the limit. I use Sygic when I don't have coverage. I just got an e-mail from them saying that they are having a sale, so if you want an offline

 

[Steve Daniel1]

Reading around, it appears that Google will only switch to offline if there is no data connection available:

Well, that's not very convenient! If I have a map downloaded, why would I need to use data? I'm trying to preserve data on Project Fi.

 

[bjrosen]

If you really don't want to use any data for navigation then get Sygic (which comes from Tom Tom), Garmin has an app also.I don't knowhow they compare to each other, when I got Sygic most of the reviews preferred it but that was in 2011, I bought it for the Galaxy Nexus. It's a lifetime license, I'm still using it on the 6P.

 

[Steve Daniel1]

If you really don't want to use any data for navigation then get Sygic (which comes from Tom Tom), Garmin has an app also.I don't knowhow they compare to each other, when I got Sygic most of the reviews preferred it but that was in 2011, I bought it for the Galaxy Nexus. It's a lifetime license, I'm still using it on the 6P.

bjrosen,
Seems on Sygic you can ONLY enter a specific address, like a typical GPS. This makes sense because it isn't looking at data. For instance, I can't search for McDonalds, only the address of McDonalds. In this case, I would need to first find the address online. I'm so used to Google Maps, this would seem like I was going backwards in technology. I think for now, I'll disable carrier data while I'm using Google Maps. It's not ideal, but gets the job done. I've tested this about an hour ago, and no issues.

 

[LeoRex]

Well, that's not very convenient! If I have a map downloaded, why would I need to use data? I'm trying to preserve data on Project Fi.

Well, in Google's defense, if you are offline, you won't get real-time data like traffic. Though, I suppose they could rig things to use the locally cached data if available and only go online if needed.

You do have alternatives, but I am not sure how good they'll do... you can either go grab one of several good quality turn by turn nav apps in the Play Store that allow for offline nav... (there are even some free ones). Or you can pop your phone into airplane mode when navigating, which might not be the most ideal situation.

 

[bjrosen]

Google searches can open in Sygic as well as Maps, however if you set a default then it will only go to the default app. You can also open an address from your contact list or your calendar in Sygic. Sygic has it's own data base of POIs as well, obviously it's not as good as Googles but it will do in a pinch if you can't contact the network.