Tip of the Day: use offline versions of Google Maps

Being stuck without Wi-Fi or 3G access in a remote location can be pretty troublesome when trying to access map information on a smartphone. Luckily, if you’re an Android user, you can download cached versions of Google Maps around a location you’ll be travelling through.

Once you have the latest version of Google Maps and an active data connection, access the Settings menu and tap Labs. Find and activate Precache map area.

Go back into the map pane and long press the map in the location around where you will be, select the location and press Precache map area. Maps will then download the map information within 16 kilometres of the chosen area so you can access it without a data connection. Keep in mind it only loads maps, not satellite, traffic or direction information, and limits the number of areas you can download to 10. Be careful — after 30 days the maps will be removed from your system.

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