Ever wondered how to download Google Maps offline for Android and Apple phone users?
Following on from my previous post, I shared with you how to create your own map itinerary on Google maps and the many features that the customised map has.
Chasing cherry blossoms in Hakodate, Hokkaido
This post will detail how you can export this map on your PHONE and use the map OFFLINE when you are in the foreign city and on the go, which makes navigating so much easier!
You no longer have to carry a map on one hand and a phone on another when you need to get from point to point.
Now you can use your own customised pinned maps offline on your phone, without needing to download any beforehand or repin it again!
As always, I find the best way to source for the cheapest flights is by checking on Google Flights & Skyscanner.
As for accommodation, I found Booking & HotelsCombined to provide the most comprehensive, unbiased comparison of different hotel sites.
I travel long-term and never leave home without Safetywing, an affordable nomad travel insurance that covers COVID-19 too!.
At A Glance
- How to export your pinned map to your PHONE to use OFFLINE
- Step 1:
- Step 2:
- Step 3:
- Step 4:
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How to export your pinned map to your PHONE to use OFFLINE
Pin for later!
Step 1:
In your own map, click the 3 dots beside your map title > select ‘Export to KML’ > check the box ‘Export to .KML file instead of .KMZ’.
Step 2:
Make this file accessible through your phone, either by Dropbox, email or any file sharing app you use.
Step 3:
On your phone, download this app called ‘Maps.me’ > search for the city your map is based in > download the city.
Step 4:
Open the .KML map from your phone with the Maps.me app and there it is! All your previously pinned landmarks are on this app! 0 effort needed to repin the landmarks again.
What I love about Maps.me is, the landmarks in the app are very precise, very comprehensive, very accurate, and it allows you to plot your route from point A to point B. The best thing is, you can do everything offline!
With our trusty campervan in New Zealand!
So much so that we relied on this app ENTIRELY during our New Zealand road trip around the South! We lived without Wifi and drove without any GPS system. All we used was this app’s navigation tool (it also comes with voice navigation instructions). I cannot emphasise just how much of a genius the people behind the app are.
Note: To be able to plot your route and detect your location, switch on your phone’s GPS and make sure your phone is not on flight mode. I was really excited to share this with you when I found out about this trip planning hack!
Planning trip itineraries is made SO MUCH EASIER because I no longer have to repetitively search for every attraction and bookmark them on Google Maps PLUS my phone app, which can be a really tedious process.
A typical Japanese restaurant
I’ve been using it for cafe-hopping in Bali and Melbourne, as well as city-hopping in Korea and Japan.
P.S. Have you checked out my latest video on our NZ road trip in May 2016? 😉
I so agree with you! We’ve been using MapsMe since we moved to Europe, and with the exception of a few quirks, it’s an amazing app. I can’t believe it’s free and how frequently the developers roll out updates with improvements. Great write up!
Thanks for your comment! I’m super impressed at how accurate their maps are. Even in non-English speaking countries! Never looked back since. 😉
this is amazing! just downloaded it!!
Xx
Kali
http://www.lovelaughexplore.com
@love_laugh_explore
https://www.facebook.com/lovelaughexplore/
Thanks for this! I have always had problems abroad with opening the app, keeping it open, and then *sometimes* it cooperates offline and sometimes it does not!
This is SO helpful! Thank you for sharing a tutuorial! Now I don’t have to waste data when travelling!
I didn’t even know this was a possiblitiy. I rely so much on my google maps when traveling and costs me some good data when I am abroad.
Great post
This sounds like a great app! I really should use it.
Thanks so much! I have never heard of MapsMe. Going to give it a try.
I needed this! I do a lot of traveling and on-foot exploring and knowing this will be invaluable.
This is really handy to have!
I just learned how to do this last year and can’t believe how I hadn’t used this sooner for all of my travels! It’s SO helpful! Especially when traveling in a dead cell zone 😉 Thanks for the tips!
This will so come in handy! I’m about to plan a road trip with my mom soon 😀