Google Maps Update For iOS Brings Offline Navigation

Recently an update to Google Maps for iOS introduced the gas price feature. Basically this allows users to find out the prices of gas that different gas stations are offering, thus allowing you to pick the cheapest one that might be closest to you. However it seems that is not all Google had introduced.

While the changelog on the iTunes App Store did not make any mention of offline mode, Google has since confirmed to Mashable that offline navigation is one of the new features that they have added in the update. However the Google spokesperson also added that offline navigation will be rolling out slowly so if you don’t get your update right away, you should be able to see the feature in the coming weeks.

How it works is pretty simple. All you’d have to do is search for the city that you are planning on visiting, and select “save offline map” from the location menu. Once that’s done, you should be able to search the area like you normally would. This will come in handy if you’re planning on traveling overseas and you do not have access to a local SIM, WiFi, or you’d rather not pay roaming charges.

The offline navigation feature was originally announced in May during Google I/O and it was only last month that it begun rolling out to Android users. In the meantime if you’re an Android user and you want to start using offline navigation, do check out our tutorial on how to go about doing so.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: Apps, Google, Google Maps, iOS