Google Maps is finally embracing offline mode, as the company reveals you can now download cities, counties, or countries, use turn-by-turn navigation, and search for specific locations — all without an Internet connection.
Google first introduced an offline mode back in 2011, but it was limited in that you could only capture an area to view offline. Today’s news is a major step for the Internet giant, and will see it challenge incumbents such as HERE (formerly owned by Nokia), which has been offering free offline access as a major differentiator for a while.
Google first teased the new offline capabilities at I/O back in May, but now the feature’s landing for everyone on Android, with the iOS incarnation coming “soon,” according to the company. To download, you simply search for a country, city, or county, and hit “Download.”
