GPS Apps

[bucolic_frolic]

Time for me to learn GPS. I think my phone supports it, but I have to install an app. There are dozens. Someone told me to install WAZE. An article told me to go to the Google Playstore and install locationof GPS tracker. Never found that exact app. Is it that simple? I have Google Maps installed. thanks

[Tetrachloride]

1. what3words

3 words to identify a location.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=what3words&t=iphone&ia=web

integrates with your Maps or Google Maps

I tried Waze but didn’t fit me at the time.

[ret5hd]

2. Are you frequently in areas with no cell service?

If not, I would bet “google maps” is your best bet.

If you are frequently outside of cell service (as I am) I would suggest ALSO (in addition to google maps) downloading “maps.me”.

With maps.me you download maps to your device…then it can operate without cell signal.

With google maps, you need a cell signal to start your “trip” because no maps are stored on your device. After you start your trip the map is temporarily stored so you can finish your trip even with an interrupted/unreliable signal.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Yes, that is definitely a part of my problem

I have to move on from printing maps online. I'm behind the times.

[mitch96]

4. I've used GPS based Garmin devices for years, I find Google maps infinitely easier to use..

I also follow some world travelers on Youtube and they use Maps.me and really like it when out in the boonies.. I've had Garmin sending me to chase wild gooses... uff
Another thing is Google maps will give you two or three options for a route. Also traffic problems and alt routes to get around the traffic...
Just a thought..
m

[ManiacJoe]

6. Google maps does support offline maps.

You just have to download the map area you are interested in. Wifi will make this a faster process.

[ret5hd]

7. Yes, one little section at a time...

having to “trace” your projected route one download at a time, and hope you don’t have a detour that takes you off your planned route. And you are limited in the number of maps you can store at one time.

I just like having a decent gps based (meaning no cell service needed) downloaded map for all of the lower 48…just in case. Maps.me works for me and has never failed when I needed to find the way back to a highway from a remote campsite with no cell service.

Another excellent resource is Avenza maps. Detailed MVUM (motor vehicle use maps) for almost every National Forest are free.

Another resource are apps like FreeRoam, which help locating free campsites, with complete driving directions.

I know there are other apps/services that accomplish these needs, but the combination I have listed has really NEVER let me down.

[progree]

5. I didn't have to install anything on my Android device bought 2 years ago - In Google Maps

at the bottom of my map, there's a "Your Location" at the bottom right of the map that one taps. Or it is a blue circle icon inside a solid white circle, also at the bottom right of the map. That's if "Location" is already turned on, which is in the 2nd panel of my phone's notifications screen that show the status of what's on and off on the phone.

If "Location" is off, then, tapping that icon at the bottom right of the map won't work, it will say some message like it can't determine your precise location, or it simply won't work, but it will say to tap here to turn Location on or somesuch. Sometimes that doesn't work, so one has to find the Location item on the notifications panel and tap that on.

That's exactly 100% of everything I know about GPS on phones. I'm not sure this is what you are looking for. Probably not judging what's been posted upthread. But maybe this is helpful for someone that uses Google Maps and gets lost (within cell signal) and wonders where they are.