Google Maps navigation is now available for offline navigation, but only on Android. After Google made their initial announcement to make Google Maps usable while outside a network zone, the feature is finally available to Android users.
Google Maps ‘Offline Access’
The way that Google Maps offline navigation will work is that, by saving a certain address, users can opt for downloading it. This will save the fastest route to the address and the navigation will work just as it does when online: it allows users to make searches, gives turn-by-turn directions and view points of interest. It’s only lacking live traffic feeds.
Google Maps Offline maps can be easily managed through the update to the app via ‘Offline Access’. In the past, Google Maps had very poor offline performance, but the company announced it would gradually upgrade and release these little fixes to optimize user experience.
Google Maps Offline Navigation Feature for the iOS
This development will likely spur updates on other competing navigation apps, including iOS Maps and Waze, so soon enough the companies will release statements as they try to catch up to Google Maps. According to Google’s official blog, the company plans on revealing the offline navigation feature for the iOS counterpart of Google Maps very soon.
