Google Maps has always been one of the most downloaded and installed apps by Android and iPhone smartphone owners, not only because it is able to find any address or road in the world, but also and above all because it works as a satellite navigator, with precise directions to any place want to go by car or even on foot. Until now it was possible to download maps from Google Maps for offline access on Android and iPhone, but only to view maps, not instead to use it as a GPS navigator.
This has always been a big drawback, especially when going to a foreign country where you cannot keep your smartphone connected to the internet.
From today, however, Google has updated its application so that it is also possible to use the Google Maps navigator offline, as it would be with any TomTom.
The update was released first for Google Maps on Android and then, from December 2015, also on the iPhone .
Google Maps therefore allows you to continue using the road navigator even if there is no internet connection .
Now you can download an area of the world to your phone so that, when there is no network coverage or if you cannot use the internet data connection, Google Maps continues to work without interrupting the directions .
While previously you could simply view an area of the offline map, you can now get real-time driving directions, search for streets and roads and find useful information on various places, such as opening hours and contact information.
The only thing that doesn't work is traffic detection, which without an internet connection is obviously impossible to obtain.
You can then download the map of an area or the route to get to a street or city you are looking for by tapping the Download button on the card of that place (which appears by pulling it up with your finger by swiping on the title from the bottom up)
In the application menu, by sliding your finger from left to right, you can tap on "Offline areas" (which is currently located in " Your places ") and then tap the + button to add a map to offline mode.
Google Maps will use the offline mode automatically when it recognizes that there is no internet connection.
The maps are downloaded only when the mobile phone is connected to a Wifi network, in order not to consume traffic in the data connections according to consumption (but this option can also be changed).
The new functionality of the offline navigator is available for all owners of an Android smartphone and an iPhone .
Finally, Google Maps can now fully replace any satellite navigator.
READ ALSO: Tricks and secrets of the Google Maps Navigator app on Android and iPhone
