Huawei has rolled out a new update to Petal Maps, its in-house navigation app and alternative to Google Maps, adding one of the most-requested features: offline navigation. With version 5.3.0.302, users can now download map data for specific regions and continue to receive turn-by-turn directions without an internet connection.
To use the feature, Huawei requires downloading an Offline Map Resource Package for the desired area. Once enabled, the app can function normally even without mobile data, making it more reliable for travel in remote areas or regions with poor connectivity. Offline support has long been a standard feature in rival navigation apps, and its arrival in Petal Maps should make the service a more practical daily driver for Huawei users who lack access to Google services.
The update also introduces a new privacy-focused location option. Instead of showing an exact GPS point, users can choose to share an approximate location displayed as a circle with a radius of around 5 kilometers. This mirrors a feature Google introduced on Android, giving users more control over how precisely their movements are tracked or shared.
In China, Huawei has expanded Petal Maps further by integrating Tongcheng travel services, allowing users to book tickets for attractions directly within the app. This reduces the need for third-party apps or browser redirects, aligning with Huawei’s push to make Petal Maps a multipurpose hub for travel and local discovery.
Petal Maps has steadily evolved since its debut in 2020 as part of Huawei’s HarmonyOS ecosystem, filling the gap left by the absence of Google Maps on the company’s devices. With offline navigation, broader privacy controls, and deeper service integration, Huawei is positioning Petal Maps as a serious competitor in markets where it can’t rely on Google’s mapping infrastructure.
The key test will be adoption outside of China, where entrenched players like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze dominate. But for Huawei device owners, the latest update makes Petal Maps far more versatile both at home and abroad.
