Download maps prior to going to a country with no signal

[tuffluck]

Going to be in a country with no service but really want to use Google maps. Can I download them before I go, or do I have to have a connection to access them?

 

[Rxpert83]

Open mapps app. Press menu there should be an option to download

(Zoomed out and snapped screenshot before the map loaded to hide location)

 

[tuffluck]

I have a galaxy s3 and i dont see that option?

 

[itsallgood]

When you do this, it will on be to view as a map and not for turn by turn navigation.

 

[Rxpert83]

I have a galaxy s3 and i dont see that option?

I took that screenshot on a galaxy S3. Are you sure you're pressing menu after opening the app?

 

[Hadron]

I recently discovered that there are some countries (or regions) for which Google don't let you store offline (Rio de Janeiro in my case). But it only tells you when you try to save, not when selecting the area, so that's not your problem here.

 

[tuffluck]

Okay, I see it now. Will it save after I shut it down, too?

 

[Hadron]

Yes. It will be available for a few weeks (annoyingly not indefinitely).

 

[Davdi]

Or you could try NavFree https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL
Based on the open source Open StreetMap project, with downloadable maps for most countries. I'm using it on my Xperia U and N7
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL