Today I would like to share something that is slightly off topic — how to use iPhone GPS map on the road without a data or WIFI connection. To be more specific, I mean how to use the iPhone Google Map as a GPS (without a network connection on the road) by pre-caching the map. This trick is very useful if you don't have a data plan or want to avoid the data roaming charges when you are travelling.
Cache the Map First
First you have to cache the area of your destination at various zoom levels with Google Map (you need a data or WIFI connection for this part):
- search the location where you will be visiting in Google Map
- drag the map around the area to cache it
- zoom in & out and drag around again to cache the map at various zoom levels
On the Road
When you are on the road, launch Google Map and press the GPS locator button to locate yourself. The iPhone built-in GPS can communicate with the satellite even when you don't have a data or WIFI conncection. The purpose of caching the map is to know where you are.
Limitations
- you can not search or find direction
- the area or zoom levels that you didn't cache will not be viewable
- sometimes you need to zoom in or out to reset the cached map
Final Remarks
This trick was first discovered by my brother accidentally. I have tested it in Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles, Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. It hasn't failed on me yet. It has saved me a lot of time and data roaming fees particularly travelling in Europe. You should test it before using it.
I tested this trick n India also. Its working perfectly.
Try using Nokia Ovi Maps. I have the Nokia E72 and I just load the maps whenever they have any updates and use them for GPS navigation. It does not need an Internet connection and you can download the maps from your PC too!
Hey thanks for this one! Really helpful :) This off topic post is nice btw :)
I tried it in my area and found it proficient, thanks for sharing great information
WOW! finally i got to know how to use iPhone GPS map on the road without a data or WIFI connection. your posts are always very helpful!
This is verry good.
On the iPad, the app OffMaps2 lite allows for similar shinanegans (minus the tedious caching!). I was very surprised, the first time, on the road in Berlin, with neither wifi nor data connection, to find my precise location reliably indicated on a map I had only downloaded to, well, have a map, with no expectation of being globally positioned on it.
This is very first time, you put a non design topic. This article still benefit me, as I dint subscribe any data plan. Thanks!
Awesome article, thanks for sharing
Just wondering if you would allow me to repost this on the resources section of my blog: http://ios-blog.co.uk/iphone-application-development-resources/ ? full credit will be given of course
And then he handed you the thirty-five 45
Much appreciated article! Really good! Cheers :-)
Clever stuff, keep these gems coming, Cheers
This is an awesome work around for using maps with no signal. Nothing more frustrating then losing your signal when you need the maps.
Looks like it will be time consuming? Now the data plans a really low!
Thank you for sharing of the article, I like it very much
This article still benefit me, as I dint subscribe any data plan.
I can usually get by without my phone when traveling internationally.
Unbelivable work around for using the maps without having a decent signal. Keep up with the good work guys! – Sam
Can this be done on an Android?
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