Best Free Offline Maps for Android and iPhone

Almost every person at least once in their life has, encountered a situation where the Internet on their phone has “ended” or does not work, but they need to find the right street or house right now. In addition, recently, there have been more frequent cases of GPS failures and building the correct short route is a real problem. Best Free Offline Maps for Android and iPhone

It is worth remembering that offline maps are not omnipotent, and if your GPS fails, it is best to be able to navigate the map “in advance”. For example, when planning a short route from point A to B when travelling by car, it is worth looking at which route this or that map will lead you in advance. The same applies to walking.

We have compiled a list of 10 offline maps for smartphones on Android and iOS, which will allow you to choose the best navigator for your phone, and listed the pros and cons of each.

Google Maps

• Download : Play Market , App Store

The most apparent map option is available on every smartphone. By default, many gadgets have Google Maps installed right out of the box. These maps can be used both on the Internet and offline. The only thing you will need to do is download the region you have chosen in advance. Thus, if you are going on a trip, say, to Tbilisi, then do the following:

• Open the google maps app on your phone;
• Click on your profile picture in the upper right corner;
• Find the “Offline Maps” item;
• Next, the application will prompt you to select the required section of the map for downloading;
• Select the section you need and click “Download”.

In the screenshots, we analyzed an example on a phone with an Android system. The procedure for the iPhone will be the same.

Pros :

• Free, accessible and distributed on many gadgets;
• User-friendly interface;
• Details – almost all buildings and structures are listed (the note “almost” is here because after 2022 Google will not officially update information about buildings/organizations in the Russian Federation);
• Reviews from real users on various organizations and catering establishments;
• Offers different route options – on foot, by car, by public transport (bus/metro);
• There is information about traffic jams on the roads, shows the location of public transport.

Minuses :

• You need to take care of downloading the required region in advance;
• Does not always build the most optimal (read as “short”) route option;
• Data is current as of 2022;
• There are few relevant reviews of organizations/establishments from Russian-speaking users.

Yandex maps

Download : Play Market , App Store 

One of the best options for Russia will be Yandex maps. Data is entered quickly, and all buildings and organizations are reflected on the map.

Pros :

• You can plan a route taking into account public transport and even a bicycle/scooter with an accuracy of up to the minute;
• Convenient tracking of the required bus/tram route;
• Traffic jam forecast;
• Road markings taking into account signs;
• Voice navigator with advance warning of turns;
• Detailed information about the organizations, including the time until the establishment closes.

Minuses :

• The first three pluses do not work offline;
• There is not such detail for European/USA countries as for the CIS;
• They do not moderate user reviews that may contain either offensive or inaccurate information;
• Rarely, but there are failures in route construction, when you are led along a path that is initially closed to pedestrians. Especially in small towns.
• If your GPS is out of order, it can take you quite far from your desired route.

2 GIS

Download : Play Market , App Store 

The most convenient application for offline maps, in the humble opinion of the author of the article, 9+ years of its use cannot lie. Always up-to-date data (significant changes are made to the maps every month), fast and optimized work even on old versions of phones. It is straightforward to find and add your reviews on everything, as well as photos, for example, of your house/yard, and even correct inaccuracies yourself. Just click “Report a data error” on the organization card, and the developers will promptly send you a response by e-mail.

Downloading offline maps is extremely simple here. In the application, tap the ☰ icon, and then you need to go to the “Download cities” section. Using the search function, enter the area/city you are interested in, download, and enjoy convenient navigation.

Pros :

• Detailed information about all routes/places/establishments in the Russian Federation;
• Convenient navigator for moving around by car/bicycle;
• New section with friends’ marks: you can see where your friend is on the map;
• There is online tracking of public transport (for large cities);
• Rating of establishments and reviews.

Minuses :

• Without timely updates, it may glitch (for example, if you haven’t had the Internet/updates on your phone for 2-3 months);
• When it freezes, it crashes, resetting the route;
• When searching and changing the map scale, it may not show all establishments in the specified area.

OsmAnd

Download : Play Market 

This application focuses more on hikers who prefer active recreation – hiking on rough terrain, rafting on rivers, etc. The main advantages here are precisely tracking and recording tracks (routes of movement) considering the landscape, altitude, descents and ascents.

Pros :

• Shows paths in forests, even in the wilderness;
• Convenient widgets about the distance traveled, speed of movement and other indicators;
• You can save your routes (including without a network) and download existing ones in GPX or KML formats (if there is no Internet, it is better to think about the second point in advance);
• Compass and radius ruler;
• There is a “night” theme.

Minuses :

• No iOS version:
• There are paid features (unlimited map downloads, terrain, Wikipedia and weather);
• Outdated data for the Russian Federation;
• Users in the Russian Federation do not have access to feedback from developers.

Guru Maps

Download : Play Market , App Store 

Guru Maps is similar to the previous application, as building routes for hiking trips is very convenient. Users can access offline maps, search, and navigation. Tracks can also be saved and downloaded.

Pros :

• Different tracks can be marked with different (up to 7) colors, and the color can be changed for different heights;
• Good optimization and speed of the application;
• Alternative routes in addition to the main one.

Minuses :

• The free version only provides 15 markers/tracks and 3 offline maps;
• The developers are quite slow in responding to user difficulties, and updates are also not frequent.

Maps.Me

Download : Play Market , App Store

It is one of the most popular map apps after Google Maps. You don’t need an account (but it’s better to sign up) to enjoy all the benefits of offline maps without ads.

Pros :

• You can download your layers/marks from Google (via the My Maps utility), as well as upload your updated maps to your Google Maps profile;
• Takes up less memory than competitors;
• Good optimization;
• Automatically change from day to night theme.

Minuses :

• A paid subscription is required if you want to download more than 10 regions;
• Non-intuitive interface and inconvenient menu layout;
• It is possible to interrupt the route recording;
• Some updates may delete your tags (developers recommend backing up your app data).

CityMaps2Go

Download : Play Market , App Store 

This is a detailed offline map with travel tips. The developers position it primarily as a guide. They also offer to develop a route specifically for your needs. You need to send them an email.

Pros :

• Conveniently mark your favorite places (restaurants, hotels, etc.);
• All online map functions work offline (search, reviews);
• Live update of maps and locations with user participation.

Minuses :

• There is no up-to-date information on the Russian Federation;
• There is no Russian language.

MapFactor

Download : Play Market , App Store

MapFactor is a navigator you can install on your phone and use without the Internet. This application can connect to Android Auto, which means you can download it to Android tablets. Users especially note that this application is convenient for drivers of large vehicles on long trips abroad.

Pros :

• Ability to block a specific section of the map/route to avoid building a track through it;
• A voice navigator that will warn you about installed speed cameras/recorders, as well as about exceeding the speed limit established by the regulations;
• Free monthly update of map data.

Minuses :

• Large “weight” of cards;
• Maps are created by users via OSM, so there may be inaccuracies.

Sygic

Download : Play Market , App Store 

Like previous representatives of offline maps, this application helps you quickly navigate the roads. Sygic will tell you turns, draw your attention to maps and speed limits, and even tell you the lane to change lanes. Moreover, this navigator can also tell you about parking, mainly if you are not oriented in an unfamiliar city and need to know where the paid parking is. But you learn English, at least.

The app has a Dashcam (aka recorder) and Real View functions, as well as augmented reality for safe driving. However, they are available in the paid version.

Pros :

• Convenient search through filters;
• You can search for tours, excursions and cruises in travel destinations;
• Built-in guide and Wikipedia for different cities;
• Sync across multiple devices.

Minuses :

• The application is paid, a subscription is required for full functionality of offline maps;
• There is no Russian language;
• It may “glitch” and show the name of a different street in the place where you are;
• There is no update for the Russian Federation.

Organic Maps

Download : Play Market , App Store

If you find inaccuracies, you can modify convenient offline maps without advertisements. You can do this on the OpenStreetMap service, where users create maps and fill them with data. Best Free Offline Maps for Android and iPhone

Pros :

• Large amount of data available offline;
• Good work of the application without deviations in location;
• Useful for both drivers and hikers;
• Convenient navigation, even if you are in the forest;
• Fast response from developers.

Minuses :

• Low detail in areas with low population density;
• There is no automatic change to night theme when you are viewing the map without moving.

You can choose the most convenient application from the ten listed in the article. We hope you stay on the right path!

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