How to Fix Google Maps When It's Not Working on Android (2024)

Google Maps is a useful app for navigating your way around, but there are times when it just won't work properly. There are various reasons why this can occur—caching issues, using an older version of Google Maps, or the location accuracy option might have been disabled.

Luckily, there are some helpful tips to get around the Maps app issues on your device. Here, we’ll show you how to fix Google Maps for Android when it's not working.

1. Enable Location Accuracy

Location accuracy issues are the most common reasons for Google Maps not working properly. When you turn the setting on, it should provide precise location data, and Maps would be able to pinpoint your correct location. Here's how to do this:

1. On your device, launch the Google Maps app. Select your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Select Settings from the menu. Tap Google location settings > Location services.
3. Next, tap Google Location Accuracy and toggle on the slider button for Improve Location Accuracy.
4. Now launch Google Maps again. It should be able to detect your accurate location.

2. Disable Wi-Fi Only Mode

More often than not, you might have experienced a situation where the Maps app wasn't updating your real-time location. This might be the case if you have enabled updates only when you're using Wi-Fi.

If you have the Wi-Fi-only mode enabled, Maps will download new data only when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. It won’t work if you're using cellular data.

To fix this issue, simply turn off the Wi-Fi only option in the Maps app:

1. Open Google Maps and tap the profile picture and select Settings.
2. Turn off the Wi-Fi only option.
3. Close Settings and go back to the main Maps screen.
4. Once done, you can use Google Maps. This will now start to use your mobile data, so make sure you've got a big enough data allowance if you use the app heavily.

See Also

17 Best GPS Navigation Apps for iOS and Android for 2024How can I reset a link to a maps app under Android?Don't Get Lost Without Internet: Download Google Maps OfflineGoogle Maps – Android vs. iPhone

3. Check Your Internet Connection

As you probably already know, Google Maps needs access to the internet to download and update maps. If there's no real-time data, chances are your phone's internet is too slow, or has no connectivity.

For Google Maps to work, you'll need to have an active internet connection on your Android device. To do this, open a website on your mobile browser to check if the page loads up properly. If not, try rebooting your phone or speak to your internet provider.

Alternatively, Google Maps might simply be down. You can check this through the Google Maps platform status page.

4. Calibrate Google Maps

In Google Maps, your location is shown with a blue dot. If this dot’s beam is too wide, Maps is having a bit of an issue pinpointing your location.

To fix this, recalibrate the Google Maps app. You can do this by opening the app and moving your phone in the direction that draws the number 8. Do this a few times. The blue dot’s beam should get narrower as you recalibrate the app. It's an easy and simple Google Maps trick.

5. Clear Google Maps’ Cache and Data

One of the many reasons Google Maps won’t function is due to its cache and system files. The Maps app stores certain temporary data on your Android device. While this usually speeds up performance, this data eventually builds up and can start causing issues within the app.

To fix this, you can safely clear out the cached data for the app. Note that clearing the cache and data doesn’t delete the actual Maps app on your device. Here’s how to clear the Maps app data:

1. On your device (not in the app), go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps. These settings may vary across devices.
2. Select Maps in the apps list. On the Maps screen, tap the Storage & cache option.
3. Tap Clear cache and then tap Clear data.
4. Launch the Maps app again. It should work now.

6. Update Google Maps

Older versions of apps often tend to have bugs and issues in them, which are rectified in newer versions. If you’re using an older version of the Maps app, consider updating the app.

An Android device usually automatically updates all installed apps, unless you have disabled the automatic update option. You can manually update Maps instead if you need to. Just find Google Maps in the Play Store and tap Update. Restart the app when it’s updated. Obviously, the update option will only be available if there is a newer version of the app to install.

7. Use a Lightweight Version: Google Maps Go

More recently, many app developers have released lightweight versions of their apps. These apps consume fewer resources and typically work much faster compared to their original counterparts on low-resource devices.

Google is no exception, and it has also released a light version of the original Google Maps app, which is called Google Maps Go. With this app version, you can still find directions to places without having too many resources drained from your phone.

When Google Maps doesn’t work on your Android device, it’s a good idea to turn to the app’s lighter version called Google Maps Go—especially if you have an older or slower device. The app works pretty much the same as the original Maps app, so there aren't any app-specific things you need to learn here.

Download:Google Maps Go (Free)

8. Allow the App to Run in the Background

If you have problems with the accuracy of Google Maps, and you constantly flick in and out of the app, make sure that it is set to run in the background so that it can stay up to date.

1. On your device, go to Settings > Apps, and choose Maps from the options.
2. On the app info page, tap Mobile data under the Usage section.
3. Toggle on the slider for Allow background data usage. Keep in mind that this may burn through more data, so make sure you've got a big enough allowance on your mobile plan.

9. Download Offline Maps

If you're in an area with spotty network coverage, downloading an offline map can be useful. You don't want to use up your data plan by streaming a high-quality map and avoid some of the issues that come with it, this can be a very useful trick.

To do this, open the Maps app, tap your profile icon in the top-right corner, and choose Offline maps. Select the area you want to download, and you're good to go!

If you've tried all of these troubleshooting options and the Maps app is still not working, try to uninstall and re-install the app from the Play Store.

Troubleshoot Google Maps Issues on Android Easily

Like any other app, Google Maps also experiences hiccups from time to time. However, these issues should not keep you from using the app. If you ever face an issue with Google Maps on your Android device, one of the methods outlined above should help you fix the problem.