Do you need internet for Google maps? How to Use Google Maps Without an Internet Connection
Just recently we wrote about that, and now we will continue to work on useful things, resulting in another step by step instructions for novice Android users - how to use Google Maps offline.
Note: This article is intended for new Android device users or those who want to refresh their memory.
Before you begin
There are several requirements to take advantage of the recommendations in this manual. As you guessed, you need a smartphone or tablet running on Android, and the latest version of Google Maps must be installed. Most likely, Google maps are already installed on your gadget, otherwise, you can always download it for free latest version applications from Google Play Store.
Pros and cons of Google Maps
Google Maps is a powerful navigation tool, but it also has its downsides. The fact is that Maps works great with a constant Internet connection, which cannot be said without it. Many years ago, Google started working on this issue, and now you can download all the necessary data to navigate around the area. The downloaded map image will be exactly the same as when working online.
The Download Map feature allows you to cache an area the size of a typical large city. Before we tell you how to save a specific map area for offline use, let's discuss some difficulties that you may encounter along the way.
First, Google Maps offers offline maps for a limited time - 30 days. The fact is that Google is constantly improving its maps - during this time, streets may be added or removed, or several business centers will appear, in any case, after this time you will have to re-download and save the desired area of the map. Well, if you are going on a long hike without an Internet connection, then Google Maps offline is unlikely to be useful.
Secondly, in Google Maps offline mode has limited search and navigation functionality. Of course, in offline mode you can find out how to get to your destination and record your route. However, you will not be able to reverse your route created at home if you have Internet access. We hope that you remember the way home, or at least know how to use a map without navigation.
And finally, you can only download six offline maps. The idea is that for most cases this is more than enough, and you won't need a lot of free space to download maps. This means if you're going on a long trip, then you may have to stop halfway to remove the first set of maps and load the remaining maps to get to your destination. Not fun at all, is it?
How to use Google Maps offline
Well, we have reached the key point of our article today, how to use Google Maps offline.
First, you need to make sure that you have a stable Internet connection, preferably WiFi, since you will have to download approximately 80 MB of data or more, which is approximately how much one area of the map occupies.
Run Google app Maps and navigate to the area you want to save for offline use.
Click on the search bar at the top of the screen.
Now you can zoom and scroll the area you want to save, and then click the Download button. If the selected area is too large, the following message will appear at the top of the screen: “Area too large. Zoom in on the map”, and the Download button will become inactive.
When everything is done correctly, a window will appear in which you need to enter the name of the loaded map area and click Save.
Now your map area is saved and you can use Google Maps offline.
What's next?
Once your maps are uploaded, Google now gives you 30 days until they become out of date. After this time, you can always reload the saved map (offline map), to do this, log in Menu/Your places/Setting up offline maps then find the desired map and click the map menu and Update.
Do you need to make a trip within your city using Google Maps offline? Navigation works offline, just create a route when you have an Internet connection, say before leaving home. Google Maps will automatically download the information it needs to show you the way to your destination. It will even download the area of the map it needs, so you don't have to download the map manually. Once the route is configured, Google Maps will contain necessary information, at least until you arrive at your destination, or until you turn off Maps on your device completely.
Please remember that you will not be able to initiate navigation using Google Maps in offline mode, downloaded maps of areas in order to simply view them. But still, if your smartphone or tablet is equipped with a GPS sensor, then you have in your hands powerful tool to find your way, and you don’t need to have access to the Internet at all.
What do you say: Will you use Google Maps offline for travel, or trust another navigation application?
Stay tuned, there is still a lot of interesting things ahead.
Last modified: 09/23/2010 22:45:58
Please pay attention to:
Where can I get the latest version of the program?
On the official website: http://earth.google.com/ (web installer) or via direct link (latest official version always available via this link): http://dl.google.com/earth/client/advanced/current/GoogleEarthWin.exe
Google Earth - Real-time image of the Earth?
No, these are just satellite images of varying degrees of age. The display of the Weather layers (updated every 3 hours) and Traffic jams is only close to real time. New satellite images are usually posted twice a month, but these updates usually only concern small areas, and certain regions may not be updated at all for several years. More details can be found here.
What versions of Google Earth are there and how do they differ?
There are 3 client versions in total:
- free - Free or Plus
- paid - Pro ( free registration for 7 days)
- corporate - Enterprise - also paid and only for corporations. This version has not appeared anywhere on the Internet.
Differences different versions in additional “goodies”, but the most important thing is that all versions of the program use the same database of satellite images, so the quality of the images is the same for all client versions.
Here's what the Googlers themselves write about this (support):
Google Earth Pro does not provide real-time images. Most of the images were taken between one and three years ago and represent aerial photography from an altitude of 250-450 m. Google Earth Pro uses the same image database as the free and trial versions, so if you upgrade to the paid version, you will not notice any differences in images. However, in Google Earth Pro, images can be printed at a higher resolution (4800 pixels). To improve your organization's productivity, you also receive the following additional professional tools:
- High resolution printing.
- Import GIS data to quickly display geographic data.
- Spreadsheet importer to display thousands of addresses at once.
- An advanced version of Movie Maker for creating professional videos for clients and clients.
- Access support via email.
Comparison table of customer capabilities:
It is also on the official website (English): http://www.google.com/enterprise/earthmaps/pro_features.html
Is there a crack for the Pro version?
Yes, but only for the 4.2 Pro client. But grunt a later one Pro version has become impossible, but there is a possibility in free client(Free/Plus) activate part of the Pro client functions. This is also done with a crack, but be careful - after some cracks (in particular, after the crack from JUNLAJUBALAM/MPT), the client suddenly stops loading data normally. Latest information on cracks and links here: http://forum.ru-board.com/topic.cgi?forum=35&topic=26491&start=0
What should I do (where should I write, who should I ask) to add/update a picture of my city?
No one will add anything to your order. All data is presented free and as is.
BUT perhaps you will be able to find someone from whom you can buy this photograph for individual use - google it, look for the appropriate services that work to order. And make some mega greens. There was a similar question with similar answers here.
Can I use Google Earth without the Internet?
It is possible, but with several BUTs. At all, Google Earth— client-server system. The client is that small program (10-15 MB) that we download and install on our computer. This client is intended only to display data that it can request from the server via the Internet. A server is a kind of “site” on the Internet that stores all the necessary data for the client to operate. Accordingly, if we have just installed the client and we do not have the Internet (connection with the server), then the client simply will have nothing to show.
So, to use the client without the Internet, we need to have local cache from which the client could take all the data he needs. This local cache comes in two flavors:
- client's own cache - legal, but with a limit of 2000 MB
- local server cache - doubtful, but without any restrictions ( I recommend)
But in any case, you will have to accumulate this cache first. Whether you accumulate it yourself or take it from a neighbor is a different question. The main thing is that without a cache (in any form), the client’s work without the Internet is impossible.
So what is this native cache? Although Google Earth is a client-server system designed for online work, the developers also provided an off-line mode of operation (without the Internet). When we have the Internet and we view something in the client, the client stores all the data received from the server on disk, in its cache. This cache is usually located in the user’s folder and consists of two files dbCache.dat and dbCache.dat.index (technically savvy people can look here: Cache device and format). So, the next time the client starts without the Internet, it will complain that there is no connection with the server, and will start showing data from the cache - but only what we have already looked at/downloaded earlier and nothing more. Therefore, we don’t need to take any special actions, the main thing is to remember about the 2 GB limit and, if possible, use portable versions client so as not to lose the cache when reinstalling Windows or transferring to another computer.
Local server cache: This cache storage/accumulation option is a little more labor-intensive, but if your acquaintance with Google Earth is not one-day in nature, I recommend using it. Also, this option helps to save traffic.
To use the local server cache, you first need this very local server, and secondly, this is a special client, cracked stronger than others and “trained” to work with a local server.
Local server is a GeoCacher program (caching proxy server), which is installed on a computer and wedges itself into the data exchange chain between the client and Google server Earth. Those. the resulting chain is: GeoCacher Client Server. At the same time, GeoCacher, independently and independently of anyone, saves all data passed through it in mine cache, which is limited only free space on your hard drive, and not at the whim of programmers from Google. At the same time, when accumulating its own cache, GeoCacher constantly monitors not to download unnecessary things from the Internet, i.e. checks whether it has the requested data in its cache, and downloads from the Internet only what has not actually been downloaded before.
Therefore, GeoCacher can be used with a regular client to save Internet traffic. How and what needs to be configured for GeoCacher to wedge itself into the data exchange chain is written here: GeoCacher - User Manual.
Local client - this is the same “trained” client that will be able to work in conjunction with GeoCacher, in the absence of the Internet, and no windows will appear indicating that there is no connection with the server (the server, here it is, at hand - GeoCacher) and will “think” that it works as expected, on the Internet, with its native server. But in fact, it will receive data from the local server cache. You can get a local client here: GoogleEarth.LOCAL.
Is it possible to automatically load my city into cache?
Can. For this purpose, the PlaceMaker utility was specially written, using which, and following the instructions Automatic upload to cache, this problem is solved.
Is there somewhere I can download the cache of the entire Earth?
No, the entire Earth (images + terrain + layers) will weigh hundreds of terabytes. Even if there was someone to download from (you can download from Google itself), then where will you get so many brooms to save it all? But it’s quite possible to download the Moon, Mars and possibly Heaven, at least there the conversation will be about tens of terabytes...
How is Google Earth different from Google Maps?
Almost everyone. It's easier to say what they have in common. What they have in common is satellite images, which are the same in both cases. The only thing is that when updating images, they first appear on Google Earth and only after a few days the updates reach Google Maps.
What is a version change and why do they change?
Changing database versions on the server occurs when new data (images or layers) are added to the server. Versions change constantly, 5-6 times a month (Googlers work actively). The client learns about the version change from the dbRoot.v5 file; if desired, you can automatically monitor the version change yourself using the GEUpdater program.
How can I find out what was added in the latest update?
Usually, some time after the update, Googlers update their cumulative kml in which they highlight in squares all the areas where they updated the images. Googlers publish news on their blog that this kml has been updated, and that the images have been updated: http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/
And here http://sasgis.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=820 unofficial monitoring of updates is carried out and coverage schemes with updated images are posted.
There is also an unofficial blog where they monitor changes in the service and regularly publish news about updates (English): http://www.gearthblog.com/
- Belarus, Mogilev 2008-2017, zed
- Based on Wikipad v1.6.0 engine
How to use Google Maps?
In this article I will briefly talk about what Google Maps is and how to use this service. The most interesting thing is that many users know about it, while others do not even realize that using regular computer, you can see almost any street as if you had actually been there.
I’m actually exaggerating a little, since you’re unlikely to see the streets of villages or small towns, but large and medium-sized cities are welcome.
Google Maps is free, all you need is a browser and a computer, but preferably not the oldest one, since the page in the browser will still be a bit cluttered RAM. You also need to have the latest flash player installed in your browser, and the Internet connection must be fast enough for you to browse the streets comfortably.
That is, if you are going on a visit or just to another city, if you only know the address and you need to find out more, then Google Maps will help you, you can even study the route to your destination using such maps, especially if you live in big city.
Personally, when I became acquainted with these maps, I have never forgotten about them since then - I regularly look through the streets and also the places where I would like to go, where lived before, in which cities I’ve been, in general, I don’t know about anyone, but it’s interesting to me, especially when I’m bored.
Now I'll show you how to use Google Maps. We go to the Google maps website itself - https://www.google.com/maps/, you will most likely see a map with your location:
Now, to see a street, indicate it in the field Search on Google Maps- and click from the list on the street you need (the same street will most likely be in several cities).
For example, I will enter Mokhovaya Street, which is located in Moscow:
Google Maps will immediately show this street on the map:
Now we see this street, and we can look at it as if we were on it.
Everything is very simple - you need to drag this little man (he is located in the lower right corner of the page with the map) onto the street itself, when you do this, there will be hints (streets that you can view will be “blue”):
Here we release the little man:
And now we see the street as if we were on it:
Isn't that impressive? This is how you can view, for example, all of Moscow.
There are also these tricks - viewing not the streets, but what’s inside the buildings. To do this, you need to release the little man above the orange circle:
And this is what we will see:
In general, I can’t say that it’s very interesting, but I think it’s okay to watch it when you’re very bored.
That's all, I hope now you will travel around cities and look through the streets, as I sometimes do =)
Google Maps is deservedly considered the most popular mapping service in the world and allows users to navigate and build routes almost anywhere in the world. However, an Internet connection is not always required - there is a function for saving individual areas to the device.
Creating an offline map of a specific area in the Google Maps iOS application was available previously, but now you no longer have to enter the phrase “ Ok maps", it is enough to perform simple and understandable actions for everyone.
1 . Type the desired area (locality, country) in the application search;
2 . Pull up the tab on the search results page that appears at the bottom of the screen;
3 . Click the button …» in the top right corner, and then in the pop-up window, select the option " Download map";
4 . Select the scale of the area to save, controlling the size of the resulting offline map. The larger the selected area, the larger the size of the saved map.
5 . Click the button "Download" and wait for the download to complete.
6. To view all saved offline maps, tap the “hamburger” icon on the main screen of the application and select a section Offline maps.
Naturally, offline cards differ significantly in functionality. Thus, without an Internet connection, the user will not have access to routes for pedestrians and public transport, information about businesses, traffic jams, road works, etc. However, finding your way around an unfamiliar city and building a driving route is not difficult.
Until recently, Google maps and Yandex maps belonged to the so-called online navigation – that is, they worked exclusively using the mobile Internet, which was necessary for plotting a route and guiding along it. Accordingly, even the ability to download maps in advance to the gadget’s memory, which appeared a certain time ago in Yandex Maps, still did not make navigation autonomous. Google didn’t even have map downloads...
And now, users of Google maps on mobile gadgets have access to detailed offline maps, address search, full route guidance, and other things without an Internet connection. useful information – for example, opening hours of organizations, their contacts, etc. To take advantage new feature, you need to enter the name of the area, city or region you are interested in in the search bar on Google maps, then select “Download map”. And in the main menu of maps, a “Downloaded regions” item has appeared, where you can delete regions and add new ones.
Details of how the Wheels offline mode works were found out from Evgeniy Grebennikov, manager of the Google Maps service in Russia:
– What does the user get from the appearance of the offline navigation function?
– Actually, everything that is its well-known advantages! The most obvious thing on the surface is that now you can safely use navigation while roaming without worrying about the “golden” megabytes (although to this day there are also local tariffs in which the Internet is secondary and megabytes are expensive). You will also be able to use navigation where the Internet basically does not work and there is no coverage. mobile networks– and there are still plenty of such places in Russia, despite the fact that our mobile Internet is actually one of the fastest, highest quality and cheapest in the world.
If you previously found yourself in an area where there was no cellular network coverage, the navigation simply disappeared. And in an area with slow GPRS or slow and overloaded 3G Internet, the navigation could slow down and freeze, waiting for data to be pumped, forcing you to stop on the side of the road, waiting for it to resume. But now this problem is gone - with the advent of offline maps, you immediately begin to build a route, leave and move without delay using voice prompts, even if the phone is in airplane mode. And once you are in range cellular networks, your route will also be automatically adjusted taking into account traffic jams and other current road factors.
–So far, Google maps have been plotting a route and guiding along it only when connected mobile internet, manufacturers of offline navigation used this fact as their main advantage. Now you have invaded their holy of holies... What should the market of paid navigation software expect? Will he disappear?
– Well, I won’t make such global predictions - it will disappear, it won’t disappear... But their life will definitely become much more complicated. Because we offer “in one package” the advantages of an always-working offline solution and the obvious advantages of online navigation: prompt map updates and efficient feedback, which allows you to add information, for example, about traffic jams, predict them in real time, and take them into account when laying out and quickly adjusting the route.
An additional item “Downloaded areas” will appear in the usual side menu of Google maps:
– How are maps downloaded? There will be a list of regions, as in paid ones navigation programs?
- The principle is different. What you see on the screen at the moment is what will be downloaded. You scale the map area as you need and download it. Even a region of Russia, even a separate city, even a separate street.
The boundaries of the downloaded map are determined by the user:
– What maps are available for download? Are there any restrictions?
– There are no restrictions, which will especially please tourists - you can download any foreign countries, their regions and cities. All will have voice guidance along the route in Russian.
The only caveat is that while offline route guidance is only available for the “By Car” mode, the walking mode will appear in the future. If you are walking, there are two options: either use a mode with voice prompts for the car, which will lengthen it somewhat (the car cannot drive through many courtyards, pedestrian areas, etc.), or simply use offline maps like regular card- that is, find a shortcut purely visually and follow it, checking the smartphone screen, but without voice prompts.
– Will maps be downloaded in internal memory? Can I choose a download location? And is it possible to then transfer cards from internal memory to a flash drive? But what if the device’s internal memory is full or limited?
– While maps will be downloaded automatically to the internal memory, you cannot manually select a storage location or transfer them to a memory card. Yes, it is possible that in some cases downloading maps will fail due to lack of space - the user will have to either clear the memory of the content or delete some previously downloaded maps. But we are aware of the problem of full memory, as well as the low amount of pre-installed memory in many devices. It will be resolved - just wait a little.
– What are the volumes of downloaded maps?
– They are not too large - for example, a map of Moscow and the region takes approximately 150 megabytes. I repeat - if you do not have enough space in the memory of your smartphone or tablet, then you can download maps as needed. For example, if you are planning a trip to a neighboring region, you can temporarily delete the local card.
– The offline navigation function is a huge project. And its implementation will take some time – according to preliminary data, from two to three weeks. Updates to the map service will arrive on your phones and tablets gradually - for some earlier, for others later, but everything will work in the very near future.
– How can people who don’t follow the latest mobile software too much find out about a new service and may not even know that “something is being updated” on their phone?
- This is provided! If the maps were already updated before the offline service appeared, then when you next need to get directions or find something, you will see a large message pop-up on the screen inviting you to get acquainted with new feature and first of all, download a map of your region. Believe me - don't miss it!
When in good navigator everything in one place.
Any iOS device comes with an application Cards. And although Apple is actively developing its own mapping service, due to a number of features of its operation, users from the CIS countries prefer third-party navigators.
The service has won its place in the sun from Google – Google Maps. Three months ago mobile version applications received the long-awaited, which at first worked exclusively on Android and only recently reached iOS.
Convenient, economical, practical... But it turns on, to put it mildly, in an unobvious way:
Note: to work with offline mode, you must have an account Google posts strictly required. Before enabling offline access Log in to the Maps app.
- Open Google Maps and in the search bar find the locality or address you are interested in.
- Call side menu settings (tap on the three lines next to the search bar) and click on the item Downloaded areas.
- In the window that opens, click on the " + ».
- Google will prompt you to download a map for the area, region, or city you entered. By changing the scale you can significantly reduce the final size of the map (more zoom - smaller map). Once you have decided on the card size, click Download.
- Give the card any name you like and click Save.
- Wait until the download completes. The finished map will go to the section Downloaded areas.
The peculiarity of the offline mode in Google Maps is that the saved image is available within 30 days from the moment of downloading. After the expiration date, Google recommends updating the added area map from the appropriate section.
By the way. If you don't have enough memory on your iPhone, try this this is it .
Offline mode allows you to use the application as a navigator (including a voice assistant), but displaying current traffic jams and the current traffic situation (if there is no connection) will not be available. You cannot download country maps.
For detailed settings, see the explanatory video:
