Beta Train worth it for Offline Maps?

[lordhamster]

Without fail, after each beta, I turn off beta updates and tell myself I'm staying on the production version. Then there is some new "must-have feature in the betas that tempts me back onto the beta-train.

Well, this time it is Offline maps. I'm about to go on a trip to Iceland in a few days, and in looking for my rented house locations in Google maps, I realized that some of the addresses don't resolve there, whereas Apple maps finds them easily.

I use Google FI, so I'll have unlimited high-speed data while in Iceland, but I'm still worried about cellular dead zones and navigation. I'm thinking of updating to iOS17 beta just for the offline maps.

Is this advisable? How stable have you found iOS17? Would you trust it for a trip where your phone is your only computing device?

 

[iStorm]

Personally, I wouldn't upgrade right before a vacation, especially when you wouldn't have a way to rollback if needed. I'd hate to spend my vacation with a broken phone or troubleshooting issues, all for a "just in case I need it" feature.

You could pin the correct locations in Google Maps and get directions to those if needed. Have you checked out Waze to see if that might work too? Not sure if the addresses would be correct there or not, considering it's owned by Google.

 

[mecoolai]

Here is what I have used for offline maps, I agree with iStorm in terms of possibly having issues on a beta overseas on vacation.

1.) Google Maps

Download areas & navigate offline - iPhone & iPad - Google Maps Help

You can save an area from Google Maps to your phone or tablet and use it when you're offline. Tip: You’re unable to download offline maps in some countries or regio

support.google.com

2.) Maps.me; I used this in France awhile ago, I believe you can download by specific countries. I think the offline maps are more detailed than google maps but they are much larger downloads so do that before you leave over wifi

MAPS.ME (MapsWithMe), detailed offline maps of the world for iPhone, iPad, Android

MAPS.ME (MapsWithMe) are offline maps of the whole world. Map of the USA: New York, San Francisco, Washington. France Paris. Italy: Rome, Venice, Florence, Rimini. Spain: Barcelona, Madrid. Japan, Great Britain, Turkey, Russia, India. For Android and iOS devices.

maps.me

Note: Be aware this is more for navigation (via car or bus). I'm not sure if these are meant for items like hiking/biking so I probably would search specific apps that tailor to that...

 

[notgonna]

HERE wego maps for offline, too.

‎HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation

‎Welcome to the new HERE WeGo! HERE WeGo is a free navigation app that guides local and global travelers on journeys both familiar and foreign. The app now has a fresh, new design and clearer, easier to use navigation. Enjoy a more carefree journey and reach your destination effortlessly, how…

apps.apple.com

 

[OhMyMy]

I would suggest downloading Here maps like suggested above. iOS 17 right now is a mess especially if you decide to downgrade to iOS 16 for whatever reason and choose to get back to iOS 17 beta.
I had to get back on 17 beta to avoid losing a week’s worth of Apple Watch data and now I’m experiencing all kinds of issues that weren’t there when I first got on the beta cycle. Tesla app keeps crapping out, the entire wallpaper went blank, no widgets on Lock Screen etc. I’d suggest staying on 16 until at least beta 4.

 

[JCsHands2]

I had the same thoughts when I went to Ireland the week after WWDC. I ended up not upgrading to IOS 17 because I didn't want to worry about my phone while on vacation. I did buy a data only eSim and downloaded Google Maps for the one location that Apple Maps couldn't find. I bought 5 GBs for 2 weeks and used about 3.5 GBs of it.

 

[eoblaed]

Is this advisable? How stable have you found iOS17? Would you trust it for a trip where your phone is your only computing device?

While I would never recommend someone install a beta on their only computing device for an important trip, I will say that iOS17 has been pretty good. It definitely has a few quirks here and there, but the overwhelming majority of them are goofy cosmetic things that have zero real impact on my workflow and nothing that would prevent me from getting done what I need/want to get done.

The worst thing that I run into is that sometimes the text input area of the keyboard disappears (couple/few times a day). Generally, fiddling with things a bit gets it to come back pretty quick (scrolling the content up then down, etc). I've never had to reboot the phone to fix it or anything.

I wouldn't be surprised if this gets fixed in the next update (probably this week); we'll see.

So, while I wouldn't typically recommend a beta OS on your daily driver, if there is compelling functionality in there (e.g., offline maps) *I* would do it.

 

[LutzRFrank]

living in an area where the provider constantly switches to foreign networks (roaming), I like to have the off-line maps popping in my Car Play navigation in those cases ...

 

[ibookemo]

It’s not worth it. Download offline maps in Google Maps and that will do the same thing. Most of the new OS is currently unfinished. It’s like moving into an unfinished house - it’s technically feasible, but would you really be comfortable?