Does Google Maps GPS Rely on Internet

[Big Boy]

I started using my phone for GPS a while ago, but have only used it inside Thailand, where the phone is permanently online.

I'll be out of country for a couple of days soon, and have thought Google Maps would be a good tool to use to find my way around (on foot). Then I started wondering about Internet connectivity. Will it work stand alone? Are there any drawbacks?

[laphanphon]

Only drawback would be current info, though if walking wouldn't be a problem. Driving, and you may miss a bottleneck and alternate route suggestion.

[huahin4ever]

You have to download the map for the area you plan to use Google Maps if you plan to use it without network connectivity.

YNWA

[buksida]

Yes, as said above you can download the map to use offline so the only thing you wont get is live traffic - which doesn't matter on foot anyway!

[Big Boy]

Thanks guys - now to find out how to download a map

[huahin4ever]

Thanks guys - now to find out how to download a map

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/ ... roid&hl=en

YNWA

[Big Boy]

Well that was easy - thanks again.

[HHTel]

I have found that if you start your journey while connected to the internet, somehow Google maps locks on and doesn't require it for the journey. I've used this around Thailand and Malaysia, even Langkawi. I've always started the journey whilst in range of the hotel wifi then it just carries on!
Even driving around Thailand I'm away from the internet most of the time. But start the journey whilst connected and it seems to work fine.

[Big Boy]

The answer to this is if you are on foot, most definitely not. I'm just back from Kuala Lumpur, where I intended using Google maps. I'd downloaded the map in advance. Unfortunately, a download does not work if you are walking. No problem I think, I'll just walk the same route as if driving - WRONG!!!

2 miles down the road I get a message, "Make a U-Turn" (it was a f**king duel carriageway, and we'd walked 2 miles in the wrong direction!!!)

Actually, after that mishap, I learned to look ahead on the map and take short cuts where necessary

[Lost]

2 miles down the road I get a message, "Make a U-Turn" (it was a f**king duel carriageway, and we'd walked 2 miles in the wrong direction!!!)

[Big Boy]

Yes, not funny at the time, but hilarious afterwards

[buksida]

The map works just the same, I used it to explore a lot of Yangon.

You need to turn off the GPS directions part and read the map manually, or set it to 'walk' instead of 'drive'.

[Big Boy]

You need to turn off the GPS directions part and read the map manually, or set it to 'walk' instead of 'drive'.

That's the point. After the mishap, I did use it by reading the map. When trying to use the walk feature, I repeatedly received the message, "Walk feature is not available on downloaded maps."

[buksida]

Ahh, maybe it wants to update you on pedestrian traffic instead ...

Doing a trip report?

[Big Boy]

I will be doing a report - we used your trip as the foundation, so thank you very much, and I hope you aren't offended by the comparisons (I will compare, but no criticism is intended). Hopefully you will get our perception. One thing you wrote was "A short walk up the hill." Try it when you're in your 60's and 70's - it wasn't that short We had a great time as 2 old codgers finding our way around on foot, and couldn't have done it without your inspiration.

Brilliant time - wish I'd gone for a couple of weeks. The trip told me I've gone native in Thailand. A couple of days in Malaysia makes you realise what a dustbin Thailand is. Please don't react to the comment yet, wait for the report in a couple of days, when it will make much more sense.

Certainly, my travelling companion, who has been a regular in Thailand will be concentrating on Malaysia next time, as he, like me thought it was so much better.