Navigation apps are one of the most essential features of a smartphone. Used at home, they’re a reliable way to discover nearby recommendations and keep up to date with traffic and public transport. When abroad, they are indispensable. Everything from route planning to restaurant reviews is done via Google Maps. For drivers and cyclists, the app provides a hands-free dashboard or handlebar navigator, with no need to purchase a separate satnav unit or cycling computer.
Of course, travellers need to be alert while using mobile data abroad. Using a travel eSIM is the easiest and safest a to get online in other countries, but it’s still wise to keep an eye on your data usage and ensure you’re never without mobile internet when you need it. To that end, here is a guide to understanding and monitoring Google Maps data usage, as well as tips on reducing it.
How Much Data Google Maps Uses
Surprisingly, Google Maps doesn’t use as much data as you might think. Even when in constant use, the minimalist design means that average Google Maps data consumption is far lower than social media or music streaming apps.
One hour of continuous Google Maps usage will consume around 3-5MB, though this depends on user behaviour. Interacting with the app more, such as zooming in and out, searching for different locations and requesting directions will increase the volume of data the app requires.
Google Maps Data Usage Per Hour
Standard navigation (maps only) : 3–5 MB
Turn-by-turn navigation with live traffic updates: 7–10 MB
Satellite view: 15–20 MB
How much data Google Street View uses
Street View is incredibly useful for orienting yourself and exploring new areas first-hand. However, in order to download and display so many high-resolution photographs, it uses far more data than the regular Google Maps view. Measurements vary, but expect an hour of Street View to use 10-20MB of data per hour.
How to Measure Your Mobile Data Usage
Most smartphones make it easy to estimate your current mobile data consumption, as well as individual data usage for different apps. Here's how to check your current mobile data usage:
iPhone
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular. This will display the overall data usage for a given time period, as well as a list of all apps on the phone that use mobile data. Selecting the Google Maps app will reveal further statistics about your Google Maps data usage. Data for individual apps can also be switched on or off here.
Android
On an Android phone or tablet, open Settings > Network and Internet > Internet. Then tap the Settings cogwheel next to the name of your mobile network provider to view the total data usage of all apps on your device. Tap on the Google Maps app icon to see specific details about your Google Maps mobile data usage.
Google Pixel
To check your Google Maps data usage on a Google Pixel device, open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet > SIMs > App data usage, then select the Google Maps app.
This makes it easier to estimate data usage over time, though it’s important to bear in mind that Google Maps data use is likely to be higher while travelling, as the app will probably be used more in unfamiliar areas. It will also need to download several new maps when it first opens in a new region.
The BetterRoaming app provides a simple overview of data used, making it easy to plan while on holiday. It will even notify users when they’re running low on data, avoiding anyone being stuck without internet when they need it most.
7 Ways to Reduce Mobile Data Usage With Google Maps
1. Don't use Satellite View
In Satellite view, the map will be displayed as a satellite photograph, rather than a minimalist street plan. Satellite view is far more data-intensive than the map-only view, as the app is required to continuously render high-definition images. An easy way to avoid using Satellite view is by toggling the ‘Start Maps in satellite view’ switch to OFF in the app’s settings menu.
2. Preload the app when connected to Wi-Fi
Google Maps functions by ‘rendering’ – or downloading – a detailed map of the user's surrounding area. This initial render is one of the most data-heavy processes on the app. Users can save some data by opening and rendering the map of the desired area beforehand when connected to Wi-Fi. Then, once there, they can use the app to view their location without having to switch on mobile data.
3. Use Wi-Fi only mode
A good failsafe for saving mobile data is by turning on “Wi-Fi only” mode in the app’s settings menu. When enabled, Wi-Fi only mode will prevent the app from rendering, navigating or performing any function that requires internet unless it’s connected to Wi-Fi. While it limits the usefulness of the app, Wi-Fi only mode is a smart way to avoid any accidental or background data usage.
4. Turn off turn-by-turn navigation
The Google Maps turn-by-turn direction feature is one of the more data-hungry modes in the app. If possible, try navigating instead with the simple top-down maps view – this won't provide exact directions, but still shows the user's location in real time on the map, and can be used without an internet connection.
5. Download offline maps
With a little planning, it’s possible to download maps of certain areas in Google Maps and use them without an internet connection. Once downloaded, the maps will function just like the online Maps app – users can even use turn-by-turn driving directions, satellite mode and nearby recommendations. Some features, such as walking directions and traffic updates, will be unavailable offline though. Offline maps are only supported in certain parts of the world, so it’s wise to check before leaving if your destination is available as an offline map.
6. Change the video settings
A small but useful data-saving tip for the Google Maps app is switching off the ‘Auto-play always on’ feature. Some sites on Google Maps will have small videos attached to them that may automatically start playing when viewed. Turning off this functionality can save a significant volume of mobile data, as video playback is one of the costliest forms of internet usage.
7. Use a travel eSIM
Using a travel eSIM may not technically reduce the volume of data used – but it does ensure that it will cost far less and negates roaming fees altogether. A prepaid eSIM plan can be purchased and downloaded before travelling, then used as soon as you arrive at your destination, providing low-cost, reliable mobile data abroad.
eSIM data plans
How Google Maps Compares to Other Navigation Apps
Apple Maps
Functionally, Apple Maps is very similar to Google Maps. Both are all-around navigation apps from tech giants, able to provide top-down map views, turn-by-turn navigation and satellite imagery. It’s no surprise then that they both consume mobile data at a similar rate. Apple Maps uses around 5-10MB of data per hour, depending on user behaviour.
Citymapper
Citymapper is a mapping app that specialises in urban areas, and is best known for recommending public transportation routes between two points. While it’s only available in selected cities, Citymapper’s range of handy features, such as step-free routes and reliable traffic data have made it one of the world’s fastest-growing navigation apps. Citymapper uses around 3-5MB of data per hour (similar to Google Maps).
Komoot
At the other end of the scale from the urban Citymapper, Komoot is a navigation app for hikers, bikers and wilderness explorers. As much of the Komoot library centres on backcountry and other areas with limited signal, it's usually used offline. When used online, the detailed topographic maps means Komoot uses, on average, slightly more mobile data than Google Maps
Waze
A navigation app designed for drivers, Waze’s cutesy UI and user-submitted maps have made it a popular choice with drivers, particularly in cities. As primarily a turn-by-turn guided navigation app, Waze tends to use more data than Google Maps – around 20-30MB per hour.
Frequently Asked Questions About Google Maps
1. Does Google Maps use a lot of data?
Google Maps uses around 3 to 5MB of mobile data per hour, though certain functions, though using live traffic updates or Satellite view can cause this to increase. This is similar to competing navigation services like Waze or Apple Maps, and far less than social media or music streaming apps.
2. Which countries are covered by Google Street View?
Google Maps Street View covers approximately 119 countries, to varying degrees. Some have literally every road, lane and highway mapped and regularly updated. Others, like China or Egypt, only feature certain landmarks or regions on Street View.
3. Does Google Street View use a lot of data?
Google Street View uses more data than the standard Google Maps view, as it needs to download and display multiple high-resolution images. One hour of using Google Street View can consume around 15-20MB of data - far more than regular Google Maps.
4. Does Google Maps use GPS?
Yes, Google Maps uses GPS positioning to display the user's live location on the app. As GPS does not require the internet to work, users can track their location on Google Maps without using mobile data.
