Offline Maps & Navigation. Navigation app that combines the best of offline and online features to create the ultimate navigation experience. Compact maps of over 200 countries were specially optimized to take up less space on your phone. Follow accurate voice directions, avoid traffic jams and get speed limit & speed camera alerts. Regular map updates. Aug 08, 2019  Navigation app that combines the best of offline and online features to create the ultimate navigation experience. Compact maps of over 200 countries were specially optimized to take up less space on your phone. Follow accurate voice directions, avoid traffic jams and get speed limit & speed camera alerts. Regular map updates.

1. Best Map App For Android
2. Offline Navigation Map App Android
3. Offline Map App Android Download
4. Offline Maps For Android

We already know there are lots of great navigation apps for when you have a data connection. But what if you need your GPS location when you’re offline? Do you have a GPS app for that?

Offline GPS is a vital feature for any maps app. You’ll use it if you’re exploring a foreign city and have data roaming turned off, or if you drive into a dead zone during a road trip.

Here are the best free offline GPS apps for Android. (Remember, you can use your Android phone as a GPS tracker device with its native Find My Device feature, too.)

1. Google Maps

Google Maps offers a way to download and save regional maps for offline use—you just need to do a little preparation before you leave home.

To download a map, tap on the More menu (three horizontal lines) in the upper-left corner, then select Offline Maps. Google will recommend some maps for you to download based on your home and frequent locations. You can also tap Select Your Own Map to download another area.

The maximum size of the map you can download is 2GB, which equates to roughly 200 x 120 miles. The app automatically deletes any downloaded maps after 30 days without an internet connection.

For more advice, check out essential Google Maps tips for planning a trip.

Download:Google Maps (Free)

2. Sygic GPS Navigation and Offline Maps

Sygic is the most-installed offline GPS app in the Google Play Store. The company has an agreement with TomTom, allowing it to provide offline maps for every country in the world.

Other noteworthy features include free map updates, voice-guided GPS navigation, and pedestrian GPS navigation for when you’re on foot.

The app can even help save you money. If you have an internet connection, it will automatically alert you about the cheapest nearby parking lots and gas stations, as well as providing information about upcoming speed cameras.

Sygic offers both a free and a paid version. You can try the paid version for seven days when you first download the app.

Download:Sygic GPS Navigation and Offline Maps (Free, subscription available)

3. OsmAnd

OsmAnd is another popular map app that works offline. There’s also an online mode for the times when you have a reliable data connection.

The GPS part of the app has a number of key features. They include voice guidance, lane guidance, live estimated times of arrival, a day/night screen mode, on-the-fly driving routes for when you take a wrong turn, and specialist cycling routes.

In some countries, the offline map even boasts features such as opening times and accepted payment methods of stores. Lastly, this is an app skiers should have. There’s a paid plugin which shows route maps for many of the world’s most popular resorts.

Download:OsmAnd (Free, premium version available)

4. MAPS.ME

MAPS.ME is a complete free GPS app. If you need offline navigation, it’s definitely worth checking out.

In offline mode, you can enjoy a full-featured search function, voice navigation, re-routing calculation, and public transportation. You will also see restaurants, ATMs, and places of interest. If you’re online, you can share your location with friends, add bookmarks, and even make hotel bookings without leaving the app. This makes it a great Android app for traveling11 Android Apps You Need for Traveling the World11 Android Apps You Need for Traveling the WorldIf you're going to be travelling anytime soon, you need these apps.Read More.

The maps are kept up-to-date by OpenStreetMap and are entirely open source.

The developers behind the app have also made a promise. All maps and features will be free forever; there are no plans to introduce a pricing structure. MAPS.ME is ad-supported and you can pay to remove them.

Download:MAPS.ME (Free)

5. MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps

MapFactor is another great free GPS app for Android.

When you fire up the app for the first time, it will prompt you to download maps for offline usage. That’s because there is no online map function here. Instead, the app offers more than 200 standalone individual maps to choose from, including 56 in Europe and 53 in the Americas.

The maps are organized by country, but densely populated areas have sub-regions available. You can also find maps for speed cameras in certain areas. Each map pulls its data from OpenStreetMap.

Download:MapFactor (Free, premium version available)

6. HERE WeGo

HERE WeGo is another app that specializes in offline GPS navigation. It offers offline maps for more than 100 countries.

Best Map App For Android

The offline maps include directions, public transportation ticket prices, car-sharing prices, and train and bus timetables.

When you enter your route, the app will compare car, bike, pedestrian, taxi, and public transportation routes in order to find the fastest and most cost-effective way for you to make your journey. It’ll even let you know whether your trip is predominantly uphill or downhill.

You can access public transportation information for more than 1,300 cities around the world, including most of North America and Europe.

Like MAPS.ME, the HERE WeGo app is ad-supported.

Download:HERE WeGo (Free)

7. CoPilot GPS

In-car navigation is the primary focus of CoPilot GPS. People on foot should avoid it.

The app excels in route planning. For every journey, it gives you three separate options. And for each of the three routes, you can add up to 52 individual waypoints.

CoPilot also has thousands of offline locations such as hotels, restaurants, ATMs, and places of interest. You can use the search feature to find them even if you’re in offline mode.

You can enjoy a free seven-day trial of the premium features. These include 3D maps and an audio navigation assistant. Once the trial expires, the app limits you to 2D offline maps and visual turn-by-turn directions.

Download:CoPilot GPS (Free, subscription available)

8. Genius Maps

The free version of Genius Maps lets you download offline maps and provides information about local places of interest.

If you want voice guidance, automatic re-routing, speed limit alerts, and live traffic reports, you will need to upgrade to the pro version. You can do so from within the app.

Genius Maps has offline maps available for most of the world. Europe and North America enjoy 100 percent coverage.

Download:Genius Maps (Free)

GPS Is Great, but Watch Your Battery!

We hope these GPS apps help you get where you’re going, even without data. But we’ll leave you with a quick word of warning: continuously running GPS apps in the background will quickly drain your battery.

If you’re walking, try to leave your GPS turned off as much as possible. If you’re driving, you should consider investing in a car charger, which is an essential smartphone accessory to keep in your car. We’ve also covered how to save your battery life on Android if you’d like to learn more.

For more help with your outside activities, check out these offline Android apps for surviving outdoor adventures7 Offline Android Apps for Surviving Outdoor Adventures7 Offline Android Apps for Surviving Outdoor AdventuresIf you often go on outside adventures, you need to install these Android apps to help you navigate, handle emergencies, and more.Read More.

Explore more about: Android Apps, Google Maps, GPS, Maps, Offline Browsing.

1. It was really nice post !

2. This is really an interesting read, covering all the top GPS Android applications that work offline. This is, in fact, a great way to lookout routes when your GPS not working.
   HERE WeGo astounds the most as it offers offline maps for more than 100 countries. MAPS.ME is another one, which grabs the attention since it offers full-featured search function, voice navigation, re-routing calculation, and public transportation, all in offline mode. Would like to add a smart helmet mobile app, which offers GPS, Auto- call connect/disconnect, autoplay music list, SOS, Google map features and allow riders to contact emergency contacts in case of accidents.

3. Sygic is no longer on my device.
   It used to be the best by far.
   Then it was 'improved' making it really difficult to use, especially whilst on the go.
   Adding favourites and waypoints used to be simple, so that couldn't be allowed to continue unchecked.
   Favourites are now just about impossible to add and retrieve.
   Maps are a featureless grey and route selection is very odd, frequently picking the least usable route compared to other apps, even free ones.

4. Cartograph Maps (Lite for free version) uses free, offline maps worldwide. They are very easy to download. Whole of UK is about 1GB. Find your way on any path, road, park, mountain etc in the world. It’s like a version of ViewRanger that doesn’t try to sell you stuff or nag you. Works on all platforms. I use iOS.
   I use Here We Go as my SatNav. It evolved from Nokia maps and has the great Surfer Dude voice (his repetition is good for my short attention span!) It just works. Offline UK map is about 1.2GB

5. Maps.Me is a WORTHLESS map, no directions, no routs, and cannot find a residential address!!! Sorry, uninstalled this app after 15 minutes of trying to configure it.

6. Can't understand how Google Maps made it to the top of offline GPS tracking applications.
   Offline Google maps stop working after 30 days unless updated - ridiculous.

7. Track your loved ones with android free askLocation app from google play.

   It's ok app because location data is always available even phone is indoors in garage or basement and out of GPS range. App is using also GSM service for location data, very good...and not battery draining...
   It's for safety not spying purpose...

8. MapFactor GPS Navigation Maps and GPS Navigation and Maps Sygic should not be on this list. Neither work offline. They shutdown when there is no wifi. Indeed, I don't think there is any Android satnav app that will work offline. The bugs make them useless. They are always seeking free wifi to cache up.

   • Here WeGo works offline. You're talking nonsense.

     • Have used Maps.me while hiking on an island with zero service of any kind. Just needed to download the area I was going to be in before hand.
       Not being a regular at the hiking thing Maps.me saved my butt a couple of times on that trip with no service deep in a canyon.
       It was recommend to me by a couple of people that do a lot of hiking. They said they felt it was the best for that.
       This was a couple years ago, so I would hope it is still of the same quality.

9. Sygic is my navigator of choice, been using it for some years and find it great, maps are updated regularly and are pretty accurate. Always use a in car charger as the battery drain is severe. Use it in both phone and tablet, great product.

   • Sygic is terrible compared to what it used to be. Much more difficult to use, less accurate and featureless maps compared to just about any other app available.

10. HERE Maps everytime.
    For OpenStreetMap data and walking Locus maps.
    For Traffic data - Waze or Google maps (which use Waze data)

    • Wouldn't agree, I find they do not respond, even acknowledge map error reports.

      OSMAND for me

    • Surprised , shocked even that OsmAnd is not included. Mapping very good and accurate. Very responsive. Free version gives 7 maps minus 1 for the world map you must download. Includes walking and cycling as well as driving plus off road possibilities.
      Worth looking at.

11. I can also thoroughly recommend using MAPS.ME too. I discovered it when I was in Hong Kong for two days, downloaded the maps using the hotel's website then went out exploring with no 4G. It worked flawlessly, including turn by turn voice nav... so much so that I've continued to use it as my 'go to' GPS app even now I'm back home. The maps auto prompt you to update them periodically too, so you're never out of date.

    • Need to add that my favorite is MAPS.ME. I was just now using it in Thailand. Their recent upgrade announced that they now do real-time traffic reports, but of course, for that part to work you would need to be on-line. Off line you get everything you want including route calculation, re-reroute calculation when you still get lost , (can't do that with Google maps) and voice directions. Works for walking and bicycles too. And maps can be placed on SD card memory for those 'tight' memory phones out there. I also found the map detail visually more readable than other apps I tried.

    • I have used maps.me on my android and ipad locally here in Canada for over two years, and also for a vacation while in Eastern Africa. Works fantastic especially since they keep adding new features; voice navigation, restaurants tagged, rerouting etc.

12. Furthermore, the latest version of Google Map allows to add stops and multi-way point.

13. HERE MAPS is the best of them all and offline too !

    • They left out this app. Its a good one for both android and apple users..

      • Where is the link?

14. When i wass in Roma, I used a app from Nelso. Nelso has apps from all the big city's in the world, not so manu in the USA, but a lot in Europe. When you look for a map of just 1 city than it will be a good one. The app works totaly offline and can tell you what is nearby. It even tells all about the atractions.

15. Yes lol 10 downloads are more than enough. I've installed the app and it is trying to download same 1st map 7th times already. OSMAND rocks lol. Got 3 out of 10 free downloads left though didn't get a single map yet ;))

16. Hi Chris
    Does Navfree work for Hwawei U8812d with android 2.3.6

17. I tried Navfree on my Pantech Crossover and it crashed a lot (usually when entering destination info) and did not handle street addresses well...didn't accept house numbers. When it did know a location, it worked great...but more often then not, it wouldn't accept the destination.
    -Dave

18. I have NavFree on my tablet, thought it would be helpful since I moved from North America to Eastern Europe. It is a very frustrating program, it doesn't have a simple 'find my location' feature. Support is poor, they do not reply to inquiries. Then again, it is free. Checking out OsmAnd right now. Thanks for the article!

19. Wonder why You left out NavDroyd? It's a version of MapDroyd however does provide turn-by-turn navigation in both 3d and 2d
    It also uses the same OpenStreetMap which you
    can download

20. Seems to be a good collection of smartphone GPS know-how in this discussion. I'm wondering if anyone has come across an Android application like the iOS app 'Bit Map'? Basically it lets you take any image file, and import it into the app by defining the datum (eg. WGS84) and lat/long for each corner of the map/image. Thanks in advance

21. You forgot to mention OsmAnd. I found it great and on top of the list. I have tried almost all free GPS navigation apps but OsmAnd is really nice. Try it and provide your feedback.

22. do MapDroyd support malaysia for navigation ?

23. do MapDroyd support navigation in malaysia ?

24. Try the free version of Route66. It kick ass!

25. Thank you. Found your site, and will try Osmand, Navfree and Google Offline for my Europe trip.

26. I want to know if there is any application that can be used on cell phone that is as capable as Cars' navigation system. I mean can speak out the direction. If there is any please let me know any probable differences between the app and the navigation system. Thanks.

27. I found one very nice off line navigation program ( beta version).
    It's MapFactor Navigator https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator&hl=en .
    Works with offline OpenStreet map with coverage for whole world.

    • Not being able to nominate house numbers was the only significant limitation I found with MapFactor but there is at least one way of getting around it. Use Google Earth to find the destination, go into Street View and position the cursor on the entrance to the destination and note the map reference in Decimal Degrees. (Options may need to be changed to display the map reference in Decimal Degrees. This option might only be available on the Pro Version of Google Earth.) MapFactor can now be directed to the map reference rather than a street address. If you wish to keep the destination as a favourite, the map reference can be renamed to the street address.

28. I downloaded navfree. It's OK for the money but I really like a GPS that will take a house address. This won't. It will only take me to a cross street. I'll pay for sygic.

29. Hi Chris, and thanks for all the info!
    I am a bit confused of what's the verdict of Google Navigator today, after the upgreats. Does it still provide a free, offline navigator with address location etc?
    Also, the vector maps that someone mentioned is a good thing to have. Does google maps support it?

    all the best,
    tas

30. Hi Chris, thanks for the list. I'm visiting Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Rockies) in August and am looking for an app that will provide me with
    - offline functionality (data charges abroad are a rip off)
    - map(s) for the above areas (so that I know where I am)
    - points of interests (attractions/pub/restaurants etc)
    - directions (using GPS) walking and driving (to help me finding where I am and how to get where I want to be:)

    It looks like OsmAnd is ticking all the boxes. I like Google Maps but it does not do points of interest or directions I think. I know it's slightly off the topic but have you used Vancouver City Guide TripAdvisor? Will try it out (and look for some other alternatives) as soon as my phone comes back from repair (damn Sony with their ICS roll out). Otherwise I would have to carry loads of (heavy:) travel guides etc. Cheers

31. Hi Chris,

    Does any one of these offline app can be used for my HTC XE?

    • for mapdroid... when ia try to download maps it always get stuck without finishing download... any ideas why? Motorola xt720

32. ilike this

33. WRONG! Navfree is not a FULL offline GPS app. It's basically useless because you can't use the navigation feature offline. You need a data connection in order to search for an address. If you can't search for an address, it makes navigation pretty useless!

34. looks like navfree doesn't have a Philippine map available :( but mapdroyd has one :)

35. Since no one else has mentioned it I'll recommend Locus ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=menion.android.locus&hl=en ) which has free and paid for versions. You can get a (free) add-on map pack that gives you 20+ choices of map layer, from Ordnance Survey (the ultimate UK map) to Google Maps to OpenstreetMap.

    Also (& this is the important bit) it'll let you use vector maps. There is either a built in shop or you can source your own. This is fantastic because lets face it who wants to carry about 3gb+ worth of map data when you can get the same detail for under 500mb. Yes disk storage is cheap but mobile storage is not (yet).

36. What about other apps, like MapsWithMe?

37. Ohhhh, but I love Co Pilot for Android. A great off-line SD card map GPS app!

    • Copilot Live USA doesn't update their maps very often. My house is two years old, with the surrounding development being over three years old, and it doesn't display any of the streets in my area. That's not unique to my area, though. I've seen a lot of other locales missing, too.

38. Hey!, can you tell me what spesific android version that's compatible with your recommended apps? Is it works on Xperia X10 mini?

39. Hi I have tried most of these 'offline GPS' apps and they all make the GPS acquisition run that slow that it renders the unit useless. I just waited 45 min to get a lock. Fortunately I also have a Nokia which does the job in seconds and runs with no network connection like a dream...Guess which ones getting the boot if an upgrade is not available soon!

40. can i use this with my samsung galaxy 4.0

41. can i use this on my samsung galaxy 4.0

42. Hey, I was wondering if you could use the maps downloaded in Mapdroyd in Mapfree by just moving it into the right folder. I thought because they both get their maps from the same site that they would likely be in the same format. This way you can download smaller sections of maps such as just Alberta and BC. I will try it and post back.

    another thing, does osmAnd only work without data connections for short distances as it says? that would kinda suck.

    • You won't be able to interchange map files. OSM data is in unsorted XML format. Which is really huge (250GB to be exact) and you have to read the entire file to find something. - Therefore, the apps that use the data need to compile it to a custom format, they need to include their own indexes etc so it's not to big on your device and fast enough to query certain features.

43. Hey Chris,
    I installed navfree app on my galaxy nexus. but when I open it it says, update your app to download the maps. but i had downloaded and installed the latest version. Any idea what the problem might be?

44. No mention of OruxMaps? I've used it in the past and it was great! But my phone got stolen so I'm looking to see if it is still recommended or if there is something new and better...

    • BTW, I use it mostly to tag interesting spots to visit while on vacation in Europe. I save the maps with different 'zoom levels' on the phone and import my travel KMZ files from Google Earth into the application.

      I also use it as a 'tracker' or 'logger' to keep a trace of where I've been (to georeference my pictures).

      Is that 'Sygic' overkill for my use? Or can I just use on of the recommended apps from your article?

      Thanx!

45. offline gps get.

46. THANXXXXXXXX THAT WAZ GR8 REVIEW BY X PERT :))

47. does mapdroyd have malaysia map and does it need internet connection to open it?

48. Hi there very cool web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .. I'll bookmark your website and take the feeds also?I am glad to search out so many helpful information right here in the post, we want work out extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

49. I use maps (-) for Android. It also stores cache in SD card and have multiple map sources

    • map(-) looks interesting, good reviews, im downloading it now. i too use WAZE, and its nice, very community, and if you want to make it work offline, just view the entire map area that you need to travel to, (it will cache) it, then go offline, that actually works, and for a free production, navigation works offline via this way..

      in singapore, google navigation is not available, but by rooting and getting from xdadeveloper, i got google navigation to work, but it needs to be online *sigh*

50. I prefer Waze over the ones listed. However it requires a data connection so I guess that disqualifies it.

51. Do any (or all) of these store the cache on the SD card if the app is on internal memory?

52. Tmn Drive :D

Offline maps are great additions to your smartphone arsenal. You can't always rely on network access or Wi-Fi, and the last thing you want is to find yourself lost in a new area with no reception. To save you from calamity in far-flung regions, here are the best free offline maps on Android.

Quick navigation:

Google Maps

Of course, no offline maps list would be complete without mentioning the fact that Google Maps allows you to download maps for offline usage too. Since its most recent update, the Google Maps offline functionality is better than ever, maintaining its great navigation system even without the internet.

What's more, Google Maps will automatically switch to your offline map version when it detects an unstable internet connection to help provide the smoothest user experience possible.

The best thing about Google Maps offline is that most people are already very familiar with it and have it on their phones already. All you have to do is go to the Google Maps settings, hit Offline areas and start adding them. These will remain available for the next 30 days, after which they are automatically deleted.

Maps.Me

I've been a fan of Maps.Me even since it was called Maps With Me and it's only gotten better with age. Maps.Me is a worthy contender for the title of best offline map app on Android. You don't even have a limited number of country downloads – you can download the entire world if you want to.

Offering free offline global maps based on OpenStreetMap data, Maps.Me has all the essentials covered: clear, easy to read maps (including street numbers) with just the right level of detail, searchable points of interest and addresses, offline navigation, location sharing, and no roaming charges or need for online data transfer. This app is a one-stop offline map solution. It's also the easiest to use and nicest looking.

OSMand

I came across OSMand a long time ago and was floored by its offline navigation possibilities. While many offline maps allow routing these days, OSMand has been doing it well for a long time. Based on the same OpenStreetMap data as Maps.Me, OSMand provides the same level of accuracy in a very different package. If anything, it provides a little too much map data.

OSMand offers rich offline navigation, including turn-by-turn voice guidance, re-routing and search. OSMand comes in both a free and paid version. The free version limits you to 10 map downloads (one of which must be the world base map) and some map add-ons, such as like contour lines, need to be paid for. Others, such as trip recording, audio/video notes and distance calculator, simply need to be enabled.

Offline Navigation Map App Android

HERE Maps

Nokia's HERE Maps is a great addition to the Android offline map apps family. It's a very different experience to most Android maps and you'll need to register if you want to download maps for offline use. Once you've done that, you'll be able to download unlimited free offline maps.

HERE offers turn-by-turn navigation, search, satellite and traffic imagery, and an altogether different feel to an offline map. You can even set HERE to stay offline, so that it doesn't suddenly start consuming data again. If you're looking for a fresh take on offline maps, especially one that looks different from the others, give HERE a try.

Locus Map Free

Locus Map Free, as clumsily named ass it is, is a cracking free maps app for those who love the great outdoors. You can use Locus to plan, edit, record and save trips, as well as share them with your friends and family. It features geocaching, meaning you can download maps for offline use. There's also an audio coach for sports tracking, live tracking like you can do in WhatsApp to show somewhere where you are, and smart GPS technology that saves you battery life.

Offline Map App Android Download

Bonus tip: Did you know you can quite often find offline maps for a specific city in the Play Store too? You can also download zoom-able PDFs for transit, city streets or points of interest for most major travel destinations in the world. They're a great alternative to occasionally rather large offline maps if storage space is at a premium.

Offline Maps For Android

Which offline map app do you use? Any we missed? Tell us in the comments.