so you can download them to drive with your car without using data

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Android Auto received a major update to improve the interface of Google Maps and thus enjoy more modern navigation. One of the best options that Android Auto has is the possibility of download maps to your phone and then use them on the vehicle screen when the mobile phone is connected to the car.

There are some important requirements to be able to use offline maps in Android Auto. The first is to have an Android 6.0 or higher mobile and the USB cable to connect it. The latter is essential, although now there are alternatives to put a dongle and connect wirelessly with mobile phone to make Android Auto work.

The first thing to do to have offline maps on Android Auto is to download them from Google Maps. It’s not that it’s something new, but these maps can be use through the app on Android Autoand as I said, they come in handy for different moments or situations when driving.

Android Auto offline

The free Android

There is two ways to download the maps offline in Google Maps: one is by downloading the map of a specific location, and the other is by selecting your own map. The first is very simple. Google Maps opens, searches for a city or region such as Madrid, and clicks on the ‘more’ button on the three horizontal dots icon. Then ‘download offline map’ is selected. Here you can expand or reduce the area to download everything that appears on the screen, and thus click on the download button.

You will receive a notification that you can use Maps normally, even when you are without a data connection. The other method is by clicking on the profile icon At the top right, select offline maps, choose ‘select your own map’ and expand the area you want to download to click on the button; You can also edit the name for that own map. An important point is to check the number of megabytes that the map download will occupy on the mobile. Finally, click on ‘download’.

Limitations in Android Auto

There are several points to take into account. The first is that these maps They will be saved for one year on the mobile (you can check the expiration date in ‘offline maps’). In any case, as the date approaches, Maps will download the update when you are on WiFi (this will also be done when the map has to be updated when receiving new cartographic information).

These downloaded maps allow a similar experience to online. You can see the map, zoom in on the area, set routes, receive directions and see the position on the map. It also allows you to see local information about businesses that have a Google listing, such as hours, addresses, and phone numbers. Of course, you have to forget about receiving traffic updates, road incidents, alternative routes or turn-by-turn navigation. Two other final details: only car routes can be used, since the rest require an Internet connection (public transportation, walking, cycling and other transit modes), and voice commands, which will not work in offline mode .