Google Maps is even more useful when it works offline, because it means it can help out in places with little or no cellular coverage, and offline support for Google Maps is now rolling out to smartwatches running Wear OS, including the new Pixel Watch 3.
This is an update that has already been announced and, as reported by 9to5Google, is now available to users. It is not clear what limits there will be on models that will have an offline mode for Google Maps, but it is also available on the Pixel Watch 2.
According to SamMobile, the update is also rolling out to Galaxy watches running Wear OS, including the new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and going back at least to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 that launched in 2021.
Once the update arrives, when you open Google Maps on your watch you'll see a new message: “Offline maps from your phone are automatically downloaded to your watch.” An offline maps page has also been added to Google Maps settings for Wear OS.
Navigate anywhere
It looks like maps for your home area are automatically downloaded to the watch, while offline maps synced with Google Maps on your phone are also transferred. If you want more offline maps, it looks like you have to save them to your phone first.
All of this means that if you have a Wear OS watch with Wi-Fi and you don't have a phone nearby, you'll be able to navigate the areas covered by offline maps. If you have a Wear OS watch with Wi-Fi+LTE but you don't have a cellular signal, offline maps will also help.
Of course, even on the best smartwatches, storage space is more limited than on smartphones, so you may not be able to save as many maps. You can delete maps you no longer need right from your wrist.
Check out our hands-on presentation of the Google Pixel Watch 3 for our first impressions of the smartwatch, Google Maps features, and everything in between. Next month, it's Apple's turn to launch new smartwatches, namely the Apple Watch 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
