iMaps data usage

Look up directions while on wifi,
Memorise or draw on paper.

 

Honestly, the problem is your so called data plan. AT&T should be ashamed of themselves for offering a data plan like that for an iPhone. The minimum data plan for an iPhone should be 2GB. I go through 4-6GB per month myself.

 

You really need to update your data plan. Stop trying to fix a leak with a band-aid.

 

I once only had 100 MB per month for a pay as you go plan. Now I have 6 GB per month. So I do understand why you are doing this and trying to save on data usage. I used to find many ways to save data. Here is what I would do previously to save data for maps:

This is assuming that you are not using the turn by turn navigation as that will chew up data. I use Google Maps only as Apple Maps does not have the option to cache as far as I know. Like you said, cache your local neighborhood data (using the "ok maps" command in the search field). Then make sure you have cellular data turned off for google maps (Settings -> cellular -> Google Maps set to off) and location turned on (Settings -> privacy -> location services -> Google Maps set to on). You should be good to go.

With the setup above, you will only be using cellular data for location services and nothing else. The "blue dot" which is your current location uses the GPS location services. If I recall correctly, I would average maybe 500 KB for a 1/2 hour and 15 KM trip. It can add up depending on how long you use it. Just make sure you exit Google Maps when you are done as location services will chew up cellular data.

 

They both mostly do vector mapping, so the data is already minimized as far as navigation goes. There are 3D options that you don't have to enable as it is currently, so that should be already addressed by them.

 

Yes, that's without the voice turn by turn directions. The voice turn by turn directions needs cellular data enabled for Google Maps.

I did find that Google maps cache pretty well with the OK Maps command. However, if you leave cellular data on for Google Maps, even though you have a cached copy sitting in memory, it will still automatically download a fresh copy of the maps. So keep cellular data for Google maps turned off and you will get the prompt that it is turned off which you simply ignore. This will then force it to use the cached map.

Location services for some reason uses data. It appears as Settings -> Cellular -> system Services -> Time & Location. Maybe I was missing something in my settings.

Not sure about 2D mode.

 

You can test the limits of how much of an area the app will cache. It isn't much.

It's a good thing to have if you're navigating to an area with no cell coverage. In those cases GPS works, but normally the map wouldn't be able to display the surrounding area since it can't be downloaded. Used it for that over the holidays.

 

Google recently switched to vector mapping, so the data should be similar.

However, I think Apple maps can cache a very large area. If you preload the area, then don't force-close the Maps app, it should maintain it's maps. Mind you, I haven't tried that since iOS 6... it could be different now.

As a side note, I leave Location Services OFF all the time unless I need it for something in order to save battery. Google maps always defaults my location at a very zoomed in spot in the South Atlantic Ocean, or Stonehenge. Honestly, what's the likelihood that I am at either of those places...

 

IMO the best GPS on iOS is Motion X Drive. Use it's off-line feature to pre-fetch maps while on wifi.

That or download Tom Tom which stores your maps on the phone.

 

Try NavFree if there is one for where you are. I've used this a lot in the UK without any issues and recently used it on holiday on the US when i didnt want to run up any data charges. It installs maps on your phone so does take up memory but doesnt need a data signal to run.

For the US version you just install it then download maps for whichever states you need. In the UK its all in there to start with.

And its free...there are add ons you can buy but you can use it perfectly fine without any of those.

 

You can try several things.

You can install the Onavo app to compress data usage.

Apple maps use less data than Google's because they are vector-based instead of bitmap (http://www.loopinsight.com/2012/10/...e-times-more-data-efficient-than-google-maps/) EDIT: Apparently Google is using vector maps too now

You can also route while on wifi to offset some of the data usage.