Imagine being lost in a foreign area and asking yourself, “Does GPS work without the internet?” It’s not the most ideal situation, is it? You’re here now and can find out before you are in such a situation.
To keep it brief, yes, GPS works without the internet. GPS systems operate independently. Yet, WiFi or cellular data is vital for map updates.
You can pre-download GPS maps and navigate them without an internet connection.
Since your phone is a GPS receiver, you can use the GPS function to navigate without being online.
This article will guide you through the ins and outs of GPS without an internet connection.
How Does Cell Phone GPS Work?
Your cell phone has a GPS receiver. A GPS receiver is not powered by WiFi or cellular connection.
Rather, your cell phone’s GPS relies on satellites to maintain its position.
When you turn on your location, the GPS app will show your current location using coordinates sent by satellite.
Let’s get technical.
GPS uses a set of satellites to locate coordinates on the ground. See, satellites constantly move around the earth. They send coordinates to Earth base stations.
However, one satellite is not enough for accurate positioning. That’s why GPS systems use at least four satellites to provide a 3D position within about 11.4 – 25.5 feet.
There’s also assisted GPS, where your phone uses cell towers to pinpoint your location.
Your phone uses cell phone towers to calculate the distance between them and your phone.
The cell towers also use signal strength and the time it takes for the signal to travel.
Since we’ve seen how GPS works on a cell phone, it raises a new question.
Does GPS Work Without Phone Signal?
GPS positioning
Although you may not want to be in a position where you don’t have a phone signal, it is possible to be in a location with bare minimum or no coverage.
Unsurprisingly, GPS designers made the system to operate independently of a phone signal. Here’s how.
Unlike GPS, phone signals depend on cell towers. Your phone signal is solely responsible for core services such as calling, texting, and online access.
Your GPS, however, relies on satellites. You could be in a place with no signal. But your position will be visible when you turn on your location.
The biggest advantage of this feature is your location is visible in remote areas.
However, you could have better accuracy and navigation with a strong phone signal.
Does GPS Work Without Service?
Regardless of the phone service you use, you can use GPS without service.
GPS services are not tied to your phone service. Actually, the GPS on your phone is a helpful feature that makes it convenient when you need to find new places or navigate without a GPS device.
However, we would not recommend you intentionally use GPS without service. Phone services enhance the GPS accuracy.
Being in an area with stable cell service also means you can turn on your data and have a more detailed area layout.
GPS without service gives you a bare experience where GPS satellites can pinpoint your general location. However, it puts you at a disadvantage.
You cannot properly navigate an area if you don’t have the map information.
Does GPS Use Data Plan?
While GPS does not rely on a data plan for location services, it uses your data plan.
The device(your phone) does not need a data plan to give you GPS positioning.
However, it’s not that simple.
Your phone uses GPS apps such as Google Maps that run accurately when you connect to the internet.
The internet helps your GPS app in a few ways.
- It updates maps
- You can download maps to use in offline mode.
- It creates a history of locations that you can use to track your movements.
- Using your data plan, you can check out more details about locations when you connect the GPS to the internet.
The data plan’s most important function while using GPS is to provide a detailed and updated map of your location.
Therefore, you can plan your movement using the downloaded data.
Also, it gives you a chance to download area maps beforehand.
Pre-downloaded maps give you the benefit of a mapped-out location and navigation while you are offline.
Can I Use GPS Without Data?
Active GPS without a data connection in a 5G phone
You can use GPS without data and still get accurate location and navigation information.
The best way to use GPS without data is to have several map apps on your phone.
These apps let you find directions in unfamiliar places without the burden of data plans or expensive roaming charges.
Here are two apps available for Android and iOS you can use in offline mode.
Maps. Me
Suppose the 140 million users are anything to go by, Maps. I am a reliable offline map app that you can use offline in over 340 territories globally.
It’s been around for such a long time that it was available on Blackberry devices.
For an offline GPS navigation option, it is reliable in turn-by-turn navigation.
Moreover, it provides optimized maps that conserve your phone’s memory and storage.
One of its niftiest features is that it is user-updated.
That means you can get hidden gems in new locations that other users have tried and found helpful.
However, some users report misleading directions. We recommend having a backup app for when this one fails.
Sygic GPS Navigation
Sgyic comes highly recommended for its efficiency, especially while driving and traveling in new locations.
The app has a monthly update feature which you can use to navigate offline.
Its most impressive features include 3D views and live traffic updates. Also, it has Android Auto support in cars with in-vehicle navigation.
Does GPS Work Without WiFi?
Fun fact: it is best to update GPS apps using WiFi. Also, use WiFi at every opportunity to download GPS maps for offline use.
Why? So that you can use GPS without WiFi and get all the benefits of a connected GPS app without using WiFi.
Simply put, yes, GPS works without WiFi.
It’s not ideal, especially if you want all the best features of a GPS app.
However, GPS working without WiFi is necessary for positioning and navigating when you are not online.
For example, Google Maps works best with a WiFi connection. You get features such as street view and voice commands. However, you can still get your location coordinates without the WiFi connection.
WiFi does not rely on GPS satellites like GPS. Still, you will need a fast WiFi connection to get traffic updates and precise location services.
How Does GPS Work Without the Internet?
One of your phone’s most vital add-ons is GPS. Location settings enable your phone to act as a GPS receiver.
GPS uses a process called trilateration.
Think of your internet-enabled phone as a receiver beaming its location to several satellites orbiting around the Earth.
Each satellite that picks up your phone’s GPS signal calculates the distance between itself and the phone.
It can then point to the phone’s location. However, it takes about four to six satellites to provide an accurate location.
However, you get only your location when you use GPS without internet. It would be best to turn on the internet to fetch the benefits of accurate positioning and live updates.
The phone’s internet connection powers all the GPS apps to make positioning and navigation easier.
Conclusion: Use the Internet To Get The Best GPS Experience
While you can use GPS service without the internet, it is better to have data or a WiFi connection while you use GPS.
GPS without a cell phone signal, a data plan, or WiFi only gives your position. However, an internet connection shows you a detailed map.