Top 14 Fixes for Google Maps Only Works on Wi-Fi on Android and iPhone

Google Maps requires mobile data or a Wi-Fi connection to work. You can also download maps offline, but you will still need internet to use different features and update data offline. What if Wi-Fi is not available? Unfortunately, Google Maps only works on Wi-Fi for many Android and iPhone users. They can’t use Google Maps on mobile data. Are you facing the same problem?

Imagine you’re stuck somewhere and Google Maps won’t load because it won’t work on cellular data. Fortunately, the problem is easily resolved using one of the following methods.

Let’s start.

1. Restart the phone

Begin the troubleshooting process by restarting your Android phone or iPhone. This should fix temporary issues or bugs, if any.

2. Check mobile data

Before you start doubting Google Maps, you need to check whether or not other apps are working on cellular data or not. To do this, turn off Wi-Fi and turn on mobile data. Use other apps that require an internet connection, such as a browser, chat app, or any social media app. This should help determine if the issue is with Google Maps only or all apps.

If mobile data does not work, first remove the SIM card from your phone and reinsert it. You can also enable data roaming as shown below. If this does not resolve the problem, contact your cellular network provider.

Advice: Find out how to fix cellular data that appears grayed out on iPhone.

3. Enable data roaming

You must turn on data roaming to use a cellular network in a region different from yours. It could also be the reason that Google Maps is not working on mobile data.

To enable data roaming on iPhone, go to Settings> Mobile data> Mobile data options. Turn on the toggle next to Data roaming.

To note: On some phones, you may find a cellular data option instead of mobile data.

On Android phones, go to Settings> Network & Internet (or Connections). Tap Mobile network. Enable data roaming on the next screen.

4. Update the application

Make sure the Google Maps app is updated to the latest version on your Android phone or iPhone. Update it from the Play Store or the App Store.

5. Activate airplane mode

Turning on airplane mode will disable most network connections on your phone. This often helps in troubleshooting mobile data issues. Open Quick Settings in Android and Control Center on iPhone and tap the Airplane (flight) mode icon. Wait a minute, then turn it off.

6. Turn off Wi-Fi only mode (Android)

Google Maps on Android comes with a Wi-Fi-only setting. If this is enabled, you will face issues while using it on mobile data. So check and turn it off.

To do this, open Google Maps on your Android phone. Tap the profile picture icon or the three-dot icon and select Settings. Turn off the switch next to Wi-Fi only.

7. Deactivate data saver mode

Android phones and iPhones come with data saving modes. If this option is enabled, you may experience issues with apps that require background data usage, such as Google Maps.

To turn it off on iPhone, go to Settings> Cellular Data> Cellular Data Options. Disable the toggle for Low data mode. Learn more about what is affected by Low data mode on iPhone.

On Android, go to Settings> Network & Internet (or Connections). Tap Data usage or Data saver and turn it off.

advice: On Samsung phones, find the Ultra data saving mode setting and turn it off.

8. Allow Google Maps to use cellular data (iPhone)

On iPhone, you can turn off apps for mobile data usage. It could be responsible that Google Maps is not working on mobile data issue.

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 toggle next to Maps is green.

9. Enable background app refresh (iPhone)

You can keep the background app refresh enabled on your iPhone to make sure that Google Maps works seamlessly. To do this, go to Settings> Google Maps. Turn on the toggle next to Background App Refresh.

10. Activate background data restrictions (Android)

Similar to the iPhone, Android also comes with a background data usage feature. You will need to activate it for Google Maps and Google Play services.

To check and activate it, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to Settings, then Applications or Application management.

2nd step: Tap Google Maps, then Mobile data & Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Turn on the toggle next to Background data and Unlimited data usage.

Step 4: Likewise, enable both of them for Google Play services.

11. Log in again

Many Google Maps users suggested not to sign in using their Google accounts and that is why Maps was not working for them. If you changed the password for the Google account, the phone may have signed you out of Google services. Check if you are signed in to Google Maps. To do this, open Google Maps and tap the account icon at the top. You will see the login option. Tap on it.

Advice: If you use more than one Google Account on your phone, switch to a different Google Account in Maps. It will also help you confirm whether you are signed in to Maps or not.

12. Reinstall the application

Reinstalling the Google Maps app also fixes issues with the app. Uninstall it like any other app from your Android phone or iPhone. Restart the phone and then reinstall it. Hopefully Google Maps should now work on mobile data.

13. Reset network settings

Since Google Maps only works on Wi-Fi and not on mobile data, you can try resetting network settings. This will remove saved Wi-Fi networks, paired Bluetooth devices, etc. However, it will also help to resolve network issues. Find out in detail what is happening by resetting the network settings.

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, mobile 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 iPhone settings, go to Settings> General> Reset> Reset All Settings. This will not delete your personal data or files. Find out how reset works on iPhone.