Google Maps' offline feature in India offers turn-by-turn directions

The maps app will work even when there's no connectivity

Google hopes to make getting around in India a little easier, with the launch of Google Maps’ offline feature with turn-by-turn directions, search for specific destinations, and find useful information about places — like hours of operation, contact information and ratings — all without an internet connection, the company said in a statement today. The offline version was launched in India today.

One can now download an area of the world to one's phone, and the next time you find there’s no connectivity — whether you’re going on a road trip to Goa, or looking up directions to your next destination from an underground parking  — Google Maps will continue to work. Earlier while you could save a map offline, it would not give the exact directions to a place in offline mode. 

Suren Ruhela, director, Google Maps, said: “Having a spotty internet connection shouldn’t mean you miss your next turn. With the launch of these new offline features, like turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to search for places, we hope it will be easier for people in India to find their way using Google Maps.”  

The feature has been rolled out to the latest Google Maps version on Android devices first; the iOS rollout will take place later.

To download the offline maps, you can simply search for an area before your trip and then hit download on the app. Google says the app will only download areas when you are on Wi-Fi and not on 3G, which should save your data pack from running out.