Google maps is one of my favorite apps when it comes to Android. Granted it would make the top three if I made a list someday. It has an amazing amount of cool features exclusive to the Android version of the app.
The only problem one can sometimes face is poor or no network connection when using Maps on the go and in such cases the app doesn’t serve its purpose. As you know, both GPS and 3G/WiFi connections work side-by-side in the background when you use the app to get directions. GPS provides your coordinates to the application, and they are in turn displayed by a visual map loaded from a server using a data connection. That’s why the lack of internet connection can render the app meaningless. (image credit: singing)
While the app creates a buffer by default when you are connected using a WiFi connection, it is not easy to scale all levels manually and buffer the desired area. Google maps 5.0 introduced offline feature, but not directly accessible. Here’s how you can use this feature and pre-store (download) an area on the map before you hit the road.
How to download maps for offline use
Step 1: Make sure you are connected to a WiFi network and open Google Maps on your Android. Although it is not required to connect to a WiFi network, it will be more cost-effective than 3G in this case. Bottom line – make sure you’re online on your phone.
Step 2: On the app, press the menu button and select Settings. On Google Maps settings, select lab and enable Precache map area select.
Step 3: Once that’s done, go back to the map view and navigate to the area you want to save for offline use. Press and hold at approx. the center of the area you are going to (for example, if you are going to a city, make sure you are selecting the center of the city on the map) and wait for the map to load the address of that point on the map .
Step 4: Once the address is loaded, click on it to open the detail view and select the option Precache map area (you will only see this feature when you have enabled it from the lab). Google Maps will then download a 10-mile area radius around the selected address (indicated by a square box) and once the download is complete you can view all the details in the area cached even without an internet connection.
Note: If a 10 mile radius isn’t enough for you, repeat the process at different locations on the map to cover the required area.
Clear cached maps
Since the map cache takes up a significant amount of space on the internal SD card, you should always clear the cached area once it’s done. To delete a pre-saved map, navigate to Map Settings—>Cache—>Pre-Saved Map Area and then tap the red cross next to the address.
Conclusion
So the next time you’re planning a trip, no matter where, you should always cache the area on the map before you start. You never know when your network might betray you in the middle of the jungle.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
