Some smartphone features are so useful that it’s hard to imagine how we were ever able to live without them. One of them is the possibility of locating and having access to maps of your region, which at the same time can show you the most appropriate route to get to where you want to go.
Google Maps is the most popular map application of all, thanks in part to its wide reach: few cities and streets are not yet in it. But even with its immense popularity, there are still relatively few users who are able to take full advantage of all the features the application can offer. This is a pity since it can be providential in case you are lost or on a trip.
For these reasons, we’ve listed below nine tips for using Google Maps in the best possible way. Whether you use it only to find the friend’s home you’re hitching to, whether he’s your inseparable travel companion, the list below probably has some feature you did not know about yet. Check out:
Maps: Use offline maps to save data
It may be useful to be able to access the maps of certain regions without needing an internet connection. Fortunately, Maps lets you do this and choose regions to leave available on your device.
To download a map, open the application, find the side menu (by clicking the three horizontal lines icon in the upper left corner of the screen) and click the “Offline areas” option. This will open a new screen. In it, click the blue “+” icon in the lower right corner of the screen to choose which area to download. You can choose the region by moving the map, or zoom in or out to determine the size of the area. The app will then begin downloading the area – something you should only do on a Wi-Fi network so you do not end up with your data plan.
Maps saved in this way are renewed every 30 days via Wi-Fi networks. If the user goes more than 30 days without using them, the app will suggest that he refresh the area or erase it to save space. This feature is especially useful if you travel to another country and do not have a mobile data plan. When you have access to a Wi-Fi network, you can download the map of the region where you will be staying.
If you need help, have doubts or concerns, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the comment box below and we will try to help you as soon as possible!