Google announced on Tuesday that Google Maps on Android can give you turn-by-turn directions even when your phone isn't connected to the internet.
Previously, it was possible to download maps of specific areas onto your smartphone from Google Maps, but you could only use the downloaded map like you would a regular paper map. You couldn't use the downloaded maps for turn-by-turn navigation.
The new Google Maps will also let you see "useful information about places, like hours of operation, contact information or ratings," even while offline (as long you downloaded the area's map beforehand).
However, you won't get traffic or rerouting information while you're offline, that's an online-only feature. So, if you're traveling with a limited internet or data connection, don't expect to get much information about real-time traffic.
But Google's got you covered if you're just going through a cellular dead-zone. Once you've downloaded a location's map from Google Maps, it'll switch over to "offline mode" automatically when you're in an area with poor or no data signal and keep navigating like nothing happened. Once you're back in an area with decent reception, it'll go back to "online mode," so you can keep using online features, like traffic updates and rerouting.
Google announced this new feature at Google I/O back in May, and updates of the Google Maps app on Android are starting to roll out now. It will become available for iOS devices soon.
On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.
