When we are going somewhere we don’t know, we use Google Maps and it facilitates our journey. It doesn’t even have to be somewhere we don’t know, sometimes we use it to avoid traffic if we are driving at the rush hour. In this situation, of course, Google Maps will use an amount of data. Yet, how much data does Google Maps use?
In this article, we will explain how much data does Google Maps use and how can you reduce this data usage.
What Is Google Maps?
It is an amazing application, a life savior. It makes us think how did we ever live without Google Maps or a GPS? Nowadays it is almost impossible to go somewhere without checking Google Maps first. Usually, it works well and the amount of time of our journey is amazingly correct in most cases.
Google Maps is a smart application. It learns our destinations and our departure times. Then it sends notifications that are suggesting to make our travel easier such as saving the destinations or showing us the amount of traffic and time for arriving out destination. You can also learn how to drop a pin on Google Maps to pin places that you always search to find them easily.
Well, Google Maps offers a lot. The variety of services brings out the question; “how much data does it use?”
Does Google Maps Use a Lot of Data?
We have mentioned that Google Maps offers a lot of services. The data it uses depends on the purpose of your use. If you are using Google Maps just for a drive, it uses something around 5 MB per hour.
It does not sound much, right? Because Google Maps is efficient with its data use. When connected to Wi-Fi, Google Maps downloads the map and saves data by doing that. You can download the map of an area and save the app from using more mobile data as well. It is possible to use it offline to save data, but doing so limits its services. You can search for points of interest that are downloaded in the app lastly. When using it offline, it is unable to show the traffic details but still gives an approximate arrival time according to the information used previously.
However, if you are using Google Maps, not just for a drive, then it is obvious that it is going to use more than 5 MB per hour. Yet, Google Maps proved itself to be an efficient data user. Even it is being stated in Reddit as well. No matter what are you doing on Google Maps, it is sure that it uses less data than Apple’s map application.
How to Reduce Google Maps’ Data Usage
If the data usage of Google Maps is too much for you, don’t worry, you don’t have to get lost or stay in traffic. There are some ways to reduce data usage of Google Maps. The first way is using Wi-Fi or downloading the directions.
Use Google Maps with Wi-Fi
Firstly, using a mobile phone while driving is really dangerous. Thus, normally you shouldn’t search for anything on Google Maps while driving. That’s why you can open the directions where you can reach Wi-Fi. In addition, if you need to reduce the data used by Google Maps, using Wi-Fi will work also for this aim. When you find your destination and then get into your car, two birds with one stone! You reduced data usage thanks to Wi-Fi, and you will have a safe journey.
Download the Directions
You can use Maps with your cellular data or Wi-Fi. However, you can download the destinations with any Wi-Fi if you do not reach an internet connection. Therefore, you will not use any data while you follow the directions. Here are the steps to download directions on Google Maps;
- Find a Wi-Fi connection and open your Google Maps app.
- Search the destination.
- Open the destination information.
- Tap on the three dots.
- Select “Download Offline Map”.
Conclusion – No Need to Worry
Google Maps is a life-saving application. It has been in our lives not for a long time, but we already forgot how to live without it. The services it offers are amazing, and it brings us to the question; “how much data does Google Maps use?” Thankfully not too much; you can use it without worrying about data usage. Safe travels.
1 Comment
How much data does Google Maps use? Let me tell you, way more than what my phone allows.