title: How can i download individual map tiles from the Google Maps SDK (for iOS)?
body: <p>I've been checking out the new Google Maps SDK for iOS that allows you to bypass Apple Maps for map related features in your app! </p>
  
  <p><a href="https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/ios/intro" rel="nofollow">https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/ios/intro</a></p>
  
  <p>The SDK seems fairly easy to use, but i want to know:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>If it is possible to use the SDK (are there API's) to download individual Map tiles?</li>
  <li>If so, how?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Ive looked at the documentation given on their developer portal and it says the following: </p>
  
  <p><a href="https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/ios/map" rel="nofollow">https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/ios/map</a></p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>The key class when working with a Map object is the GMSMapView class. GMSMapView handles the following operations automatically:</p>
    
    <ol>
    <li><p>Connecting to the Google Maps service.</p></li>
    <li><p>Downloading map tiles.</p></li>
    <li><p>Displaying tiles on the device screen.</p></li>
    <li><p>Displaying various controls such as pan and zoom.</p></li>
    <li><p>Responding to pan and zoom gestures by moving the map and zooming in or out.</p></li>
    <li><p>Responding to two finger gestures by tilting the viewing angle of the map.</p></li>
    </ol>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>It seems like the downloading of the tiles happens automatically, or are there API's that allow manual access to the tiles?</p>
  
  <p>If not, any workarounds would also help!</p>