Google Maps requires mobile data or WiFi to work. You can also download maps offline, but you will still need the Internet to use the different features and update the data offline. What if WiFi is not available? Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn’t work with data for many Android and iPhone users. Google Maps cannot be used with mobile data. Do you have the same problem?
Imagine you find yourself stuck somewhere and Google Maps won’t load because it doesn’t work with cellular data. Fortunately, the problem is easy to fix using one of the following methods.
1. Restart your phone
Begin the troubleshooting process by restarting your Android phone or iPhone. This should fix temporary problems or bugs if any.
2. Check your mobile data
Before you start doubting Google Maps, you should check if other apps work with cellular data or not. For this, turn off WiFi and enable mobile data. Use other apps that require an internet connection, such as a browser, chat app, or any social media app. This should help figure out if the problem is related to just Google Maps or all apps.
If the mobile data doesn’t work, first remove the SIM card from your phone and insert it again. Alternatively, enable data roaming. If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact your cellular network operator.
3. Enable Data Roaming
You must enable data roaming to use a cellular network in a region other than yours. This could also be why Google Maps doesn’t work with mobile data.
To turn on data roaming on iPhone, go to Settings> Mobile Data> Mobile Data Options. Enable the switch next to Data Roaming.
Note: On some phones, you may find a Cellular Data option instead of Mobile Data.
On Android phones, go to Settings> Network and Internet (or Connections). Tap Mobile Network. Enable data roaming on the next screen.
4. Update the app
Make sure the Google Maps app is updated to the latest version on your Android phone or iPhone. Update it from Play Store or App Store.
5. Enable airplane mode
Enabling airplane mode will disable most of the network connections on your phone. This often helps solve mobile data problems. Open Quick Settings in Android and Control Center on iPhone and tap the airplane (flight) mode icon. Wait a minute and then disable it.
6. Disable Wifi-only mode (Android)
Google Maps on Android comes with a Wi-Fi-only setting. If it is enabled, you will have problems when using it with mobile data. So check and turn it off.
For this, open Google Maps on your Android phone. Tap the profile picture icon or three-dot icon and select Settings. Disable the switch next to Wi-Fi only.
7. Disable data saver mode
Both Android phones and iPhones come with the data saver mode. If enabled, you may experience issues with apps that require the use of background data, such as Google Maps.
To turn it off on iPhone, go to Settings> Cellular Data> Cellular Data Options. Turn off the switch for Low Data mode. Learn more about what’s affected by Low Data Mode on iPhone.
On Android, go to Settings> Network and Internet (or Connections). Tap Data usage or Data saver and disable it.
Tip– On Samsung phones, look for the Ultra data saving mode setting and disable it.
8. Allow Google Maps to use cellular data (iPhone)
On iPhone, you can disable apps from using mobile data. This could be responsible for Google Maps not working with mobile data.
To allow Google Maps to use mobile data, go to Settings> Cellular Data or Mobile Data. Scroll down and you will find the list of apps. Make sure the switch next to Maps is green.
9. Enable Background App Refresh (iPhone)
You can keep the background app update enabled on your iPhone to make sure Google Maps works flawlessly. For this, go to Settings> Google Maps. Enable the switch next to background app refresh.
10. Enable background data restrictions (Android)
Similar to iPhone, Android comes with a background data usage feature. You will need to enable it for Google Maps and Google Play Services.
To enable, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings followed by Apps or App Manager.
- Tap Google Maps followed by Mobile data and Wi-Fi.
- Enable the switch next to Background data and Unlimited data usage.
- Likewise, enable them both for Google Play Services.
11. Log in again
Many Google Maps users said they weren’t signed in using their Google accounts and that’s why Google Maps wasn’t working for them. If you changed your Google account password recently, your phone may have signed you out of Google services. Check that you are signed in to Google Maps. For this, open Google Maps and tap on the account icon at the top. You will see the Login option. Touch it.
Tip: If you use multiple Google accounts on your phone, switch to another Google account in Maps. This will also help confirm whether you are signed in to Maps or not.
12. Reinstall the app
The reinstallation of Google Maps also solves problems related to the app. Uninstall it like any other app from your Android phone or iPhone. Restart your phone and install it again. Hopefully, Google Maps will now work with mobile data as well.
13. Reset your network settings
Since Google Maps only works on WiFi and not mobile data, you can try resetting the network settings. This will delete saved Wi-Fi networks, paired Bluetooth devices, etc. However, this will also help solve network problems.
To reset network settings on iPhone, go to Settings> General> Reset> Reset Network Settings.
On Android, go to Settings> System (General Management)> Reset> Reset Network Settings or Reset Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Bluetooth.
14. Reset all settings
If simply resetting the network settings doesn’t make Google Maps work on mobile data, you need to reset all settings.
To reset all settings on iPhone, go to Settings> General> Reset> Reset All Settings. This will not delete your personal data or files. How to reset iPhone and iPad and unlock
To reset settings on Android, Settings> System (General Management)> Reset> Reset App Preferences.
