Google Maps Gets Offline Maps On iOS

Google Maps is getting some improvements on iOS including a major one that launched on Android last month: offline maps.

This is a feature that would have been nice to have for years, but better late than never.

When you’re on the road, you never know what your connection is going to be like so it’s nice to be able to access an important map regardless of whether or not you have Internet.

Recognizing this, Google finally announced the launch on Android in November.

As product manager Amanda Bishop explained, “Now you can download an area of the world to your phone, and the next time you find there’s no connectivity—whether it’s a country road or an underground parking garage—Google Maps will continue to work seamlessly. Whereas before you could simply view an area of the map offline, now you can get turn-by-turn driving directions, search for specific destinations, and find useful information about places, like hours of operation, contact information or ratings.”

Now, the functionality is reportedly hitting iOS. Also new to the operating system is a feature that tells you the busiest times for businesses as well as a gas price comparison tool.

Images via Google