There are situations when you cannot use your data connection. Either because you have gone on a trip abroad, because you are in the mountains, or in a place where there is no coverage. If you want to use the GPS to locate yourself, you may run into a problem. As long as your GPS works properly, you can use it to get directions and locate yourself even if you don’t have internet.
The good thing about GPS is that it does not require a data connection to work. This is because it communicates directly via satellite, and it is also a free service. The only thing you need to be able to use it is to download an offline map of our area in advance to obtain the relevant navigation directions.
How to use GPS offline without a data connection or Wi-Fi
The GPS in mobile phones is the same as the GPS navigation systems built into modern cars. In the case of vehicles, they already have the maps incorporated so that they can be used without depending on an internet connection. However, on our Android or iPhone, you will have to download the maps in advance. It’s a bummer, I know!
Just make sure that you are connected to a Wi-Fi network or that you can use your data connection for at least a moment.
- Open Google Maps.
- Click on your profile icon, located in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Go to “Offline Maps.”
- Then click on “Select your own map.”
- Choose the map area that you want to download by placing it within the blue box that you will see on the screen. When you have the limited area, click on “Download”.
The size of the map will depend on the amount of territory you want to download. To give you an idea, region X may occupy about 185MB, which is not much. Other regions barely reach 25MB, although if we want to download the entire map of any other medium-sized country, it may take a few gigs.
For the rest, do not worry. The downloaded maps will be updated automatically when you connect to a Wi-Fi network. Of course, keep in mind that the maps will expire if they are not updated after 30 days.
The only downside to Google Maps is that offline maps only display certain information. They are intended to help travelers who go by car. They do not contain routes on foot, by bicycle, or public transport. If you are walking, you will have to orient yourself using the application’s street map and location in real time.
Offline maps with walking directions
If you are a tourist and want to explore a city or town on foot, you will have no choice but to download an alternative map app, such as Here WeGo. It is a free application and allows you to download maps to use them offline. It shows the different routes available to get around on foot.
Here WeGo is a very popular map app on Android, with more than 10 million downloads and a more than positive evaluation from the community. It has a clear and easy-to-use interface. When downloading the maps, it allows you to automatically select the area where you are at that moment to make the whole process easier. For the rest, its use is very similar to that of Google Maps. If you are already used to using that app, you will find yourself like a fish in water.
- To download a map, open the left side menu.
- Select “Download Maps.”
- Download the recommended map or choose the map you want to download from “Download maps”.
In short, remember that you can use your Android GPS without an Internet connection. You must first download the maps to use them offline. If you are going by car, use Google Maps. If you are going to travel on foot, it is best to download an app like Here WeGo.
