If you’ve ever tried to find your way around with no signal, you know how fast an online-only map app can become useless. I tested several offline maps for iPhone to find the one you can truly count on.
6
Google Maps
It’s hard to talk about navigation without mentioning Google Maps, and for good reason. It’s fast, accurate, and packed with features—when you’re connected to the internet. Offline, the experience takes a noticeable dip.
While you can download specific map areas for offline use, those maps come with restrictions. You get basic turn-by-turn navigation for driving, but walking and cycling directions vanish once you go offline. Real-time traffic, alternate routes, and dynamic rerouting are also unavailable. What you’re left with is a stripped-down version of a tool that’s otherwise brilliant online.
To make matters trickier, offline maps expire after a set period and must be manually updated to stay active. This can be frustrating if you rely on the app for extended trips or in places with sparse connectivity.
Google Maps is free, but it comes with a hidden cost: your data. Google collects a wide range of user behavior to fuel its advertising engine, which may be unsettling if you’re privacy-conscious.
Download: Google Maps (Free)
5
HERE WeGo
HERE WeGo offers a compelling offline maps experience, especially in Europe. The app allows you to download maps for entire countries or regions, and once offline, you still get access to turn-by-turn navigation, voice guidance, and a clean interface that supports walking, driving, and cycling directions.
Its standout feature is public transportation support. While this covers over 1,900 cities globally, offline transit details are more reliable in European cities where the app’s data partnerships are strongest.
Even outside of Europe, HERE WeGo can still be useful. The offline routing works reasonably well, and the app doesn’t lock essential features behind a paywall. It also includes handy extras like parking locators and integration with ride-sharing services, though these naturally require an internet connection.
Its design isn’t the flashiest, and in some regions, the map data can feel sparse. But for a completely free app, HERE WeGo offers a broader offline experience than Google Maps, especially if you need more than just driving directions.
Download: HERE WeGo (Free)
4
Organic Maps
Organic Maps focuses on one purpose: giving you fully offline maps without tracking, ads, or background data collection. It’s open-source, privacy-friendly, and built on OpenStreetMap data. If you care about a lightweight and private experience, this app delivers. This focus on privacy is exactly why some folks have dropped Google Maps in favor of Organic Maps.
It’s especially useful for hiking and cycling, with support for trails, elevation, and natural landmarks that many bigger apps overlook. But the overall experience is more functional than polished. The interface is plain, search can feel limited, and in some places, the map detail isn’t as complete. Navigation works offline, but voice guidance and rerouting don’t feel as smooth as in other apps.
Still, for those who want something simple, private, and focused, Organic Maps has a clear role. It works best as a companion app—something to keep on your phone for outdoor trips or areas with low connectivity. It’s reliable in the right context, but not as versatile as the top picks.
Download: Organic Maps (Free)
3
Sygic
Some apps are built for casual use. Sygic is not one of them. From the moment you open the app, it’s clear that this isn’t another basic mapping tool. Its offline maps are visually rich, with 3D building renderings and a polished interface that feels built for serious drivers.
During my testing, Sygic performed impressively well in offline mode. You can download data for entire countries, and once offline, you still get voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, detailed route planning, and sometimes even speed limit alerts.
What sets Sygic apart is its suite of advanced features. There’s a head-up display mode that projects directions onto your windshield (with the right setup), speed camera warnings, and even vehicle-specific routing options for different car types. However, most of these premium features are locked behind a paywall.
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The free version gives you the core offline navigation, but to access real-time traffic, advanced routing, and the HUD, you’ll need to upgrade. For road travelers, especially those planning long-distance or international drives, it’s a compelling offer.
Sygic is definitely designed with drivers in mind. It thus might be overkill if you only need a map for walking or casual city navigation. But if you’re spending serious time on the road—especially in areas with unreliable data—Sygic offers one of the most feature-complete offline map experiences available on iPhone.
Download: Sygic (Free, in-app purchases available)
2
Guru Maps
Guru Maps gets the fundamentals right—and then some. It offers full offline functionality with detailed maps, voice-guided navigation, and fast search, all without needing an internet connection. You can download maps for entire countries, plan routes, and bookmark locations with ease.
What sets Guru Maps apart is how much control it gives you. You can switch between different map sources, record GPS tracks, and even import your own routes or data files. For travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who want more than basic navigation, these tools are genuinely useful. The interface is clean and easy to get used to, making it practical for everyday use.
Most features are available for free, and if you want more advanced tools—like file exports or additional map layers—you can unlock them with a subscription or one-time upgrade. Guru Maps may not be as well-known as some of the others, but for anyone who wants both depth and reliability, it’s one of the best options on iPhone.
Download: Guru Maps (Free, in-app purchases available)
1
MAPS.ME
For travelers who want a truly free offline navigation tool that just works, MAPS.ME is a surprisingly strong option. The app is fast, lightweight, and delivers impressively detailed maps for walking, driving, and cycling—all without needing an internet connection. You simply download maps for the countries or regions you need, and the app stores everything locally.
Once offline, it still provides turn-by-turn navigation, search functionality, and bookmarking without requiring any subscriptions or sign-ins.
The app runs on OpenStreetMap data, meaning it benefits from a large community of contributors. While that can lead to occasional gaps in remote areas, the overall map quality is strong, especially in popular destinations. You also get directions for walking, cycling, and driving, making it flexible enough for both casual travelers and more active explorers.
Despite being free, MAPS.ME doesn’t push ads, track your movements, or lock useful features behind a paywall. It’s a rare case of an app that delivers exactly what it promises—and then some.
Download: MAPS.ME (Free, in-app purchases available)
After testing all six apps, the results were clear. MAPS.ME came out on top for its balance of simplicity, speed, and full offline functionality—all without charging a cent. It works straight out of the box and gets you where you need to go without fuss.
Guru Maps earned a close second. It offers more control and depth for those who need features like track recording, custom map imports, or multi-layered navigation. It’s a great choice if you want a bit more power without losing reliability.
The other apps each have something to offer, but when it comes to everyday offline use on iPhone, MAPS.ME is the one app I’d recommend to almost anyone.