Rita El-Khoury/Android Authority?
Google officially launches offline map functionality in Google Maps for select devices, including the Pixel Watch and compatible wearables from OnePlus and Samsung. As the characteristic has gradually emerged over recent weeks, it’s now imperative that we harness its full potential. Upon returning from my 10-day trip to Albania, I’m convinced that exploiting this asset will yield significant benefits, warranting immediate action.
Despite careful planning, unexpected situations can arise and leave individuals stranded in unfamiliar environments with limited resources. Given my preference for exploring uncharted territories, I rely heavily on Google Maps to navigate through unfamiliar locations and provide real-time directions. As a precautionary measure, I always download the offline map of my current city onto my phone, just in case I find myself in an area with a weak or unreliable internet connection. When the telephone’s battery runs out, you’ll need to recharge it. When venturing off the beaten path, properly functioning offline maps are a lifesaver.
When your phone is out of reach or its battery has died, having a reliable offline map as a backup can prove extremely useful – even on a small screen.
If the characteristic is easily accessible to you, you’ll immediately notice it when opening the Maps app on your watch for the first time. Navigate ahead, bypassing current search results, and descend beneath existing options. You will now see a newly designed menu properly formatted. As you lift the lid, you’re introduced to a sleek new display screen where you can effortlessly manage your offline maps.
By default, no data is downloaded to your watch, and the app notes that handling offline maps for your region is a good idea first. To start, download a section of Google Maps on your phone; as you do, you’ll notice the map becomes available for download on your wristwatch, much like when you view the Albania map.
Once you tap the checkmark, you’ll see the download progress. To fully utilize a vast digital terrain, consider placing your device’s power source in a designated charging station within your local wireless network, thereby accelerating the process while preventing potential battery depletion. Once the obtain is complete, the map’s full extent and dimensions will be fully visible, accompanied by a checkmark indicating its completeness.
You can tap that map again to delete it or just leave it as is and return to the main Maps app? With my expertise, downloaded maps load significantly faster on the watch when I want to explore, as evident from the two screenshots below, which demonstrate their ability to function offline (indicated by a cloud icon with a strike-through).
During my 10-day journey in Albania, I had the opportunity to rely on a physical map whenever my phone was unavailable or out of service. I can zoom out and in as much as I want, right down to street level, test my surroundings in Shkodër, search for locations in Tirana, and receive driving directions in Vlorë. As I reflected on my experience, having found solace in knowing I could retreat to my haven whenever my device’s battery life succumbed to the overwhelming visual onslaught of Albania’s breathtaking landscape – a staggering one million images that had taken their toll.
The constraints listed here mimic the limitations of traditional offline Google Maps on mobile devices. Without real-time traffic data, rankings, or opinions, navigation is limited to static directions for walking, transit, or biking, with no visitor updates available while driving. While I recognize limitations in addressing certain aspects – such as rankings requiring dedicated space for housekeeping, while transit and visitor information necessitates regular updates – it still frustrates me that I cannot access fundamental walking or cycling directions offline. Without a web connection, you should still be able to access directions on how to walk from Level A to Level B.
While maps are essential for daily life, a reliable backup plan is crucial when phones are out of reach or dead, making it a valuable trick for frequent users.
