Google Maps Offline Download Not Working
Henrey Manzer
After you download an area, use the Google Maps app just like you normally would. If your internet connection is slow or absent, your offline maps will guide you to your destination as long as the entire route is within the offline map.
Offline maps that you downloaded on your phone or tablet must be updated before they expire. When your offline maps expire in 15 days or less, Google Maps tries to update the area automatically when you're connected to Wi-Fi.
We added calculated expressions to several of our clients' Field Maps after promising that they would have all the functionality now in smart forms that we have been raving about. Everything works perfect using Field Maps online but when we did the final test (download an offline area and sync test) we discovered that the FeatureSet function does not work offline. We tried it on several different Android and iOS devices on several different webmaps. This is an absolute showstopper for us. Is this a bug or a known limitation? We need to know asap so we can explain to the clients why they aren't getting what we promised
I also have the issue of my calculated expression not working in offline mode. I updated my expression by casting my GUID as you suggested, but when I tested it I received an error message, Execution Error: Error. Below is my code (with the casted GUID) that threw the error. Also attached is a screenshot with the error message.
Below is the expression that is failing in the offline map, it works in the online map. When I look in the Field Maps troubleshooting, I see this message [AR CADE] Expression failed to evaluate: ....Error: Domain=com.esri.arcgis.runtime.error Code="Arcade expression is invalid. "Userinfo=NSLocalizedFailureReason= Arcade evaluation error. Evaluation_error_code::unexpected_null_value Line:11,.....
Update: Our workflow is to create an offline map using the AGOL web map settings to create an offline area. In this offline map the expression fails to calculate. I also created an offline map on the device in Field Maps, what's interesting is this expression calculates, but not a 100%. It adds the user initials correctly but doesn't find the max 'CID' attribute value to increment. Are the features truncated to the offline map view, so not all attribute records are saved to the device? I have opened a tech support case as another attempt to get clarification.
This calculated expression is working in the offline map and parsing the user initials (first/last name) from the Get User, but ideally we would like the middle initial to remove potential duplicates.
Esri tech support was able to reproduce the issue where the arcade expression fails in the AGOL webmap settings generated offline map but the expression works in an offline map generated from the device. In our case we are using iOS, so I'm not sure of other systems.
BUG-000155887 has the details, so hopefully the developers can fix soon as for our organization we prefer to have the pre-planned offline maps available for download rather than having the surveyor generate their own area.
Also lesson learned, if an expression calculates online and then doesn't in the offline map try both the AGOL generated offline maps and the device because there are differences on how these are generated.
My workflow with pop-up pass over values from field maps to the "inbox" works online but not offline. I have tried a pre-set offline area and/or using the self created offline area on device. Also tried "Refreshing" the inbox before hand and still no luck.. If you would like to see for yourself I'd be happy to show you, I hope this is fixed soon! @kmsmikrud
When using a mobile device, there are few things more frustrating than losing internet connection, being in an area without Wi-Fi, or experiencing slow network speeds. Thankfully, ArcGIS Field Maps provides a few different options for taking maps offline, so your work is never interrupted due to a loss of connection. This means you can take your maps anywhere, be that in rural areas, a wildlife preserve, or even that spot in town notorious for slow internet speeds.
Map areas allow you to package your data, basemaps, and attachments for download. Once map areas are downloaded to your mobile device, you can use them to view assets and collect data offline, just as you would in a connected environment. There are two ways to create map areas: ahead of time using the Field Maps web app, and on demand using the Field Maps mobile app.
MMPKs allow you to take data or advanced symbology offline. They are created and shared using ArcGIS Pro and can be downloaded or sideloaded (copied) onto mobile devices. Sideloading maps is helpful for large file sizes because it eliminates the time required for download. MMPKs are read-only and do not support data collection. To learn more about MMPKs, see Create an MMPK for download and watch the following video:
From this page, you can enable offline mode, enable layers for sync, create map areas (as mentioned earlier), adjust feature and attachment delivery settings, and set an on-device tile package to use as the offline basemap. To learn more about the offline settings in the Field Maps web app, see Configure the map to work offline.
I don't leave for my trip until September, but I want to be familiar with using Google Maps. In particular I wanted to see how it works to use it offline. There are lots of videos on YouTube that explain how to use it. Well I will be using public transportation in Europe, so I decided to test it out using my towns public transportation.
And it was pretty disappointing! Google Maps has to have data in order to be used for public transportation! That's right, you can't use the offline feature for public transportation. It does work if you are on foot or in a car. This makes me re-think my phone situation. I really will have to have a data plan to get around. I suppose that I can load up the route while I have wi-fi and then use it strictly as a map with no alerts to get on or off buses.
When my daughter came home from Honolulu last Christmas, the bus system computers were down. I think it was due to a significant rain storm. The buses were still running, we just couldn't get information on schedules online. It wouldn't have been an issue except to get to the airport, she had to change buses in downtown Honolulu and wasn't sure where to get off the first bus and on to the second. It was after the work day so we couldn't call the bus company. Google maps even online wasn't helpful for transit information because it gets its data from the Honolulu bus system, probably in real time. So it doesn't surprise me that you cannot get transit information offline on Google maps. (You also can't get transit information from maps.me)
One of the major problems I've found with using Google Maps, particularly with buses, is getting it to show all of the bus stops. Sometimes I have to zoom in real close to get them all to show up, sometimes even that doesn't work. But if I know the name of the bus stop from the Bahn website, Google Maps helps me find its location, particularly since the Bahn's map function is not currently working.
I decided that having a data plan while in Europe was worth the cost to be able to have the public transit info as well as making calls when needed. My hubby has a serious lung disease and knowing when the next tram will come is important. In the overall cost of things, it really isn't that much more to have a good data plan and access to public transit connections. Look at the cost of your trip and the cost of a good data plan for the same period and then decide if offline is good enough.
Google maps works great for navigation, but you will need data for any real-time information. Go ahead and get a data plan. It will be useful for so many things. Last minute museum tickets to avoid the line, translating signs and menus, researching opening times, and finding alternates since your first pick is closed for renovation/strike/moday. The data cost is just a tiny portion of your overall trip expenses. I used to travel with just Wi-fi 10 years ago, but I wouldn't be without my phone plan these days. If you travel often switch to a phone company that has good plans for out-of-the-country service. I use google fi, it cost the same for data abroad as it does at home.
With offline maps in iOS 17 and later, you can use Maps for information and navigation even when you don't have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Offline maps include details like hours and ratings on places, turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, cycling, or riding transit, and estimated arrival times.
Offline maps do not sync across your devices. Offline maps are only available in select areas. An offline map for a specific region is not intended for use in all regions. Features vary by country and region.
Eventually, after hours of trying different roads, we managed to get to our cabin, but we could have avoided all that trouble by simply downloading Google Maps offline (and also by not taking that "shortcut"). Even without internet service, Google Maps can still help you navigate where you need to go -- you just have to download the correct map.
To download a map in Google Maps offline, open the Google Maps application on iOS or Android and tap your profile picture on the top right (you must be logged in to your Google account for this to work). In the menu that appears, tap Offline maps > Select Your Own Map.
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