Google Maps receives Wi-Fi only mode and microSD map saving

Google is rolling out a rather large update for Google Maps this week, which introduces the long sought after Wi-Fi only offline mode and the option to save offline maps to microSD card storage.

First up, enabling the Wi-Fi only mode means that Maps goes offline when you’re not in range of a Wi-Fi, and will only work in areas where you have saved offline maps. This will be particularly handy if you suffer from questionable network coverage or are travelling abroad. Directions and navigation will still work when you’re offline, but obviously you’ll have to connect to a network at some point to find destinations and download map data.

To enable Wi-Fi only mode, head into Google Maps > Settings and you’ll see the toggle as the second option down. You’ll then be presented with an option to save some offline areas so that Maps will work.

To supplement the new offline mode, Google has also introduced the option to pick whether to save your offline areas to the phone’s internal storage or a microSD card, if your phone supports one. This will be particularly handy if your phone only has a small amount of internal storage. Google Maps will also show you how much space is free on both storage devices, so you can pick the best place.

As part of the same update, Grab will now also be featured in the cab tab of Google Maps, alongside Uber, in 24 cities throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Google is also adding GO-JEK rides in three Indonesian cities, with 10 more on the way soon.

The Google Maps update is already rolling out and should be live on your phone. If not, just sit tight and the new features will come very soon.