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iMas70

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 4, 2012
1,444
207
MA
I was getting close to 5GB for the month so I turned off my Cellular Data. I found that Google Maps worked fine so I continued to use that for navigation. I was on the road so there was no WiFi signal. The other apps that I tried didn't work. That was the only one. How does it do it?
 
I did a little searching and found this info -
You can use your device as a GPS navigation solution even if you don’t have mobile data access.

Dedicated GPS devices include a GPS receiver and an offline map database they can use to display your location, provide directions, and allow you to search for locations. Your modern smartphone or tablet also has a GPS chip so it can determine its location offline — all you need is an app that will provide offline map data and navigation directions.

Google Maps allows you to download map data and view it offline. To do so, zoom to the area you want to cache in Google Maps and type “OK maps” into the search box. You can then open Google Maps and see where you are on the map — the map will work fine even when you’re offline. Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn’t provide a way to get navigation directions offline. You can search for navigation directions before you leave Wi-Fi and continue using the cached navigation directions to get to your destination, but that’s it.
 
I did a little searching and found this info -
You can use your device as a GPS navigation solution even if you don’t have mobile data access.

Dedicated GPS devices include a GPS receiver and an offline map database they can use to display your location, provide directions, and allow you to search for locations. Your modern smartphone or tablet also has a GPS chip so it can determine its location offline — all you need is an app that will provide offline map data and navigation directions.

Google Maps allows you to download map data and view it offline. To do so, zoom to the area you want to cache in Google Maps and type “OK maps” into the search box. You can then open Google Maps and see where you are on the map — the map will work fine even when you’re offline. Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn’t provide a way to get navigation directions offline. You can search for navigation directions before you leave Wi-Fi and continue using the cached navigation directions to get to your destination, but that’s it.

Not required. If you click the 3 lines > your places > save offline maps. It will allow you to pan and select an entire area for use with no data.

Also like Apple maps a route will be immediately saved. As long as you don't deviate from that route no data will be used (aside from traffic updates).
 
I was surprised to see that I could still use the map for navigation (no directions/voice guidance). Just to zoom in on streets and follow where I was along the way. It provides better detail than my car's nav.
 
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