Using GPS without Data Connection on Android

[Toto 006]

I live in Tijuana. My father sent me a Droid X from Motorola (from Verizon, deactivated). So he sent me a cell phone without a plan/carrier. The WiFi worked, so I am still able to use it for many things. Here is what I can do: I can be out & about in the city without WiFi, open Google Maps, with street names and everything showing, and have my location pin-pointed. I do require WiFi to get DIRECTIONS but directions are not needed when you know where you are and you know where on the map you are going. If I get the directions while in WiFi, I can keep the directions too, I just can't hit back while the app is open (I can hit home and then return to the app and the directions will be there).

There is my experience. My question: What allows me to use the GPS and Google Maps outside of WiFi? Is it stand alone GPS?

 

[dylo22]

Yes, almost all modern smart phones's GPS can operate in stand alone mode.

 

[Toto 006]

Yes, almost all modern smart phones's GPS can operate in stand alone mode.

Do you know if the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 has this feature? (Thanks)

 

[dylo22]

Do you know if the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 has this feature? (Thanks)

Yes it does. It will function in stand alone mode. If you have an offline navigation app, you can use it for gps navigation without connecting to wifi.

 

[Toto 006]

Yes it does. It will function in stand alone mode.

I'm in TJ and it was working on and off over here. (The GPS on the Samsung would not work even in areas where my Droid X would.) Perhaps it was a device issue? I like the Galaxy, but returned it because the GPS was not working properly offline. It sometimes gave me my location and sometimes not.

 

[chanchan05]

Because its offline. The GPS antenna on ANY cellphone will work erratically without AGPS data because the GPS chip they use is a bit weaker than what dedicated devices use, and uses less power too.

 

[Toto 006]

Because its offline. The GPS antenna on ANY cellphone will work erratically without AGPS data because the GPS chip they use is a bit weaker than what dedicated devices use, and uses less power too.

But the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 is not a cell phone.. it's just an mp3...

 

[EarlyMon]

Some of the Galaxy phones had a GPS issue. Some of those could be fixed by software, some could not.

Some seem to do better than others without a data connection. Maintaining a clear sky view is key to that as well as accuracy.

You can't use Google Maps without a data connection but you can search the Market for other map apps. Some allow you to download a map to your phone, then you can go out and about without being online, still getting many of the same benefits.

 

[SoundFX]

ahhh but you CAN use google maps without data!

go into the map settings and find google labs. turn on the "pre-cache" data feature. this will let you save a 10x10 mile square of the map on your device so you can see it when you are without data connections. you can save up to 10 of these. if your have a gps built in it will even show you where you are. no searching or directions of course...

 

[chanchan05]

But the Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 is not a cell phone.. it's just an mp3...

All the same. Its just a phone with the antennae taken off. Same weaker GPS chips.

 

[HowDoiUseAndro]

I had the same problem with my DroidX (verizon) when I was in Puerto Rico. GPS would not work there

 

[droid9980]

I'm from malaysia. So what would be the best gps app which doesn't require data?

 

[UssjTrunks]

I'm from malaysia. So what would be the best gps app which doesn't require data?

There are several, but they all cost a fortune. You're better off investing in a standalone GPS.

 

[chrstdvd]

ahhh but you CAN use google maps without data!

go into the map settings and find google labs. turn on the "pre-cache" data feature. this will let you save a 10x10 mile square of the map on your device so you can see it when you are without data connections. you can save up to 10 of these. if your have a gps built in it will even show you where you are. no searching or directions of course...

I just made sure this feature is on my Droid Charge and am now charging my old D2 to see if it too has this in maps. I thought I had tried using it as a navigation tool and the results were negative. I am gona see if I can make it work now. Too cool if it does.

 

[dylo22]

I just made sure this feature is on my Droid Charge and am now charging my old D2 to see if it too has this in maps. I thought I had tried using it as a navigation tool and the results were negative. I am gona see if I can make it work now. Too cool if it does.

It doesn't do navigation. It only caches the map so you can open it and see where you are. You also can't search for destinations. The best thing to do is to search and star your destinations before you leave.

 

[chrstdvd]

Yep the D2 finally changed and I turned gps stand alone on. Nothing happened and maps did not map my position. So I went to Market and downloaded Gps status to the D2. I opened it and boom! I was connected to 9 satellites. I went to maps and the blue arrow was hovering over my house. I am so pleased to have a back up.

I know it does not navigate, but it shows where I am. I will figure out how to get where I want to go based on that.

 

[Toto 006]

Yep the D2 finally changed and I turned gps stand alone on. Nothing happened and maps did not map my position. So I went to Market and downloaded Gps status to the D2. I opened it and boom! I was connected to 9 satellites. I went to maps and the blue arrow was hovering over my house. I am so pleased to have a back up.

I know it does not navigate, but it shows where I am. I will figure out how to get where I want to go based on that.

what is gps status????/

 

[funpig]

"GPS Status" is a free app (do as search on the Market). It allows you to download the AGPS info when you have wifi and it seems to help your phone get a GPS lock faster. I use it all the time (I do not have a data plan). At the very least you can see the satellites pop up on the status screen and see the strength bar of each satellite.