How to fix Google Maps only works on Wi-Fi on Android and iPhone?

Google Maps requires mobile data or Wi-Fi to work. You can also download offline maps, but you still need the Internet to use various functions and update offline data. What should I do if I cannot use Wi-Fi? Sadly, Google Maps only works on the Wi-Fi used by many Android and iPhone users. They cannot use Google Maps on mobile data. Are you experiencing the same problem?

Imagine it is stuck somewhere and Google Map cannot be loaded because it is not suitable for cellular data. Fortunately, this problem can be easily resolved using one of the following methods.

let’s start.

1. RESTART PHONE

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

2. CHECK MOBILE DATA

Before you start to doubt Google Maps, you should check whether other applications are suitable for cellular data. To do this, turn off Wi-Fi and enable mobile data. Use other applications that require an internet connection, such as a browser, chat application or any social media application. It should help to find out whether the problem is related to Google Maps or only related to all apps.

If the mobile data does not work, please remove the SIM card from the phone first, and then reinsert it. Or, enable data roaming as shown below. If the problem is still not resolved, please contact your cellular network provider.

3. ENABLE DATA ROAMING

You must enable Data roaming to use a cellular network in a different region than yours. That might also be the reason for Google Maps not working on mobile data.

To turn data roaming on iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile data > Mobile data options. Enable the toggle next to Data Roaming.

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

4. UPDATE 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

Turning on airplane mode will disable most network connections on your phone. This often helps to solve problems related to mobile data. Open the “Quick Settings” in the Control Center of Android and iPhone, and then click the “Aircraft (Flight)” mode icon. Wait a minute, and then disable it.

6. DISABLE WI-FI ONLY MODE (ANDROID)

Google Maps on Android only comes with Wi-Fi settings. If enabled, you will encounter problems when using it on mobile data. So please check and close it.

To do this, please open Google Maps on your Android phone. Click the profile picture icon or the three-dot icon and select Settings. Disable the toggle only next to Wi-Fi.

7. DISABLE DATA SAVER MODE

Both Android phones and iPhones have a data protection program mode. If enabled, applications that need to use background data (such as Google Maps) may encounter problems.

To turn it off on your iPhone, go to “Settings”> “Cellular Data”> “Cellular Data” option. Turn off the switching of the following data modes. Learn more about what the low-data mode on the iPhone affects.

On Android, go to Settings > Network & internet (or Connections). Tap on Data usage or Data saver and disable it.

8. ALLOW GOOGLE MAPS TO USE CELLULAR DATA (iPhone)

On the iPhone, you can prohibit apps from using mobile data. This may be the reason why Google Maps cannot solve the mobile data problem.

To allow Google Maps to use mobile data, go to “Settings”> “Cellular Data” or “Mobile Data”. Scroll down and you will find a list of applications. Make sure the toggle switch is green next to the map.

9. ENABLE BACKGROUND APP REFRESH (iPhone)

You can keep the Background app refresh enabled on your iPhone to ensure Google Maps works seamlessly. For that, go to Settings > Google Maps. Enable the toggle next to the Background app refresh.

10. ENABLE BACKGROUND DATA RESTRICTIONS (ANDROID)

Similar to iPhone, Android also comes with a background data usage feature. You’ll have to enable it for Google Maps and Google Play Services.

To check and enable it, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to Settings followed by Apps or App Management.

Step 2: Tap on Google Maps followed by Mobile data & Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Enable the toggle next to Background data and Unrestricted data usage.

Step 4: Similarly, enable both of them for Google Play Services.

11. LOG IN AGAIN

Many Google Maps users recommend that they do not log in with their Google account, so Maps does not apply to them. If you recently changed your Google account password, your phone may log you out of Google services. Check if you are logged in to Google Maps. To do this, open Google Maps and click on the account icon at the top. You will see login options. Click it.

12. REINSTALL APP

Reinstalling the Google Maps application can also resolve issues related to the application. Uninstall it like any other application on your Android phone or iPhone. Restart the phone and reinstall. Hope that Google Maps can now be used on mobile data.

13. RESET NETWORK SETTINGS

Since Google Maps is only available for Wi-Fi and not for mobile data, you can try to reset the network settings. This will delete saved Wi-Fi networks, coupled Bluetooth devices, etc. However, this will also help solve network problems. Learn more about what happens when you reset your network settings.

On Android, go to Settings > System (General Management) > Reset > Reset network settings or Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

14. RESET ALL SETTINGS

If simply resetting network settings doesn’t make Google Maps work on mobile data, you should reset all settings.

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

To reset settings on Android, Settings > System (General Management) > Reset > Reset app preferences. Know what is meant by reset app preferences on Android.

APPS ONLY WORK ON WI-FI

On other applications (such as YouTube, Gmail, etc.), you may encounter the same problem. Please follow similar solutions to solve the problem, or try common solutions for apps that cannot run on mobile data on Android and iPhone.