{"id":523,"date":"2022-03-27T21:26:42","date_gmt":"2022-03-27T21:26:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/?p=523"},"modified":"2022-03-29T16:04:11","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T16:04:11","slug":"does-gps-work-without-data-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/does-gps-work-without-data-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Does GPS Work Without Data? (Explained)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>You may be wondering if the GPS on your cell phone can work without using up your data plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer is yes, but you may not be able to use all the features that you want. That may include maps and other apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article explains exactly how GPS works without data, and why it may be less useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-661c418f1a1fd\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-661c418f1a1fd\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/does-gps-work-without-data-explained\/#How_Does_GPS_Work_Without_Data\" title=\"How Does GPS Work Without Data?\">How Does GPS Work Without Data?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/does-gps-work-without-data-explained\/#Tip_Basic_GPS_Without_Data_May_Be_Slow\" title=\"Tip: Basic GPS Without Data May Be Slow\">Tip: Basic GPS Without Data May Be Slow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/does-gps-work-without-data-explained\/#What_GPS_Features_Are_Not_Available_Without_Data\" title=\"What GPS Features Are Not Available Without Data?\">What GPS Features Are Not Available Without Data?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/does-gps-work-without-data-explained\/#Can_GPS_Without_A_Data_Connection_Still_Use_Maps\" title=\"Can GPS Without A Data Connection Still Use Maps?\">Can GPS Without A Data Connection Still Use Maps?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_GPS_Work_Without_Data\"><\/span>How Does GPS Work Without Data?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>GPS on your phone works by receiving radio signals sent by satellites in the sky.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your phone contains a receiver that receives location information from three or more satellites.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This is separate to your cellular data transmitted from local cell towers. If your phone has no data, GPS still works.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The GPS radio signals are on a different frequency to the cellular signals operated by your phone service provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your phone receives those radio signals straight from the satellites. That\u2019s why basic GPS features on your phone work independently of your data plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This diagram shows how the GPS and data signals are separate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/infographic-gps.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/infographic-gps.jpg 540w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/infographic-gps-270x300.jpg 270w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does GPS really not use data?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been talking about \u201cdata\u201d on your phone as if this only means your data plan. That\u2019s not strictly correct here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The GPS signal transmits location and time zone data. Your phone receives geographic data like latitude, longitude, and altitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, that\u2019s data too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the GPS radio signals are free and independent of your contract with your phone service provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_Basic_GPS_Without_Data_May_Be_Slow\"><\/span>Tip: Basic GPS Without Data May Be Slow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Global Positioning Satellite system is made up of twenty-four satellites in different locations above earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The GPS receiver on your phone must lock into at least three satellite signals to work out your location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That can take a bit of time when you power up your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some phones have a feature called \u201cassisted GPS\u201d to speed up the process. Assisted GPS uses your cellular data plan to get fast information about the satellites from local cell towers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your phone uses this feature, then it is communicating via your data plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t use your data plan or it has run out, then you may find that GPS takes a bit longer than usual to start working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_GPS_Features_Are_Not_Available_Without_Data\"><\/span>What GPS Features Are Not Available Without Data?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t use your data plan or a cellular signal is not available, you can still access basic GPS features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Basic GPS gives you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Latitude<\/li><li>Longitude<\/li><li>Altitude<\/li><li>Some time zone information<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there are other features that are only available with your data plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, you will not be able to see satellite views and images. These are transmitted from local cell towers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Map features are also a common feature that you may miss. If you rely on streaming maps to your phone while using GPS, then you won\u2019t be able to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Google Maps features need a data connection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/google-maps.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/google-maps.jpg 600w, https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/google-maps-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Google Maps integrates with the GPS receiver on your phone, but also uses your data plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the app offers up-to-date information like traffic build-up, roadblocks, and street closures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This needs a Wi-fi or internet connection to get real-time data from Google servers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_GPS_Without_A_Data_Connection_Still_Use_Maps\"><\/span>Can GPS Without A Data Connection Still Use Maps?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As long as you plan in advance, you can still use many map features with GPS even if you don\u2019t have a data signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you know where you\u2019re going, you can download the maps for the region when you still have data available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Google Maps and Apple Maps let you find the maps you\u2019ll need when you\u2019re online and download them to your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My advice is that you do so when connected to Wi-fi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The map files can be very big. They\u2019ll take some time to download, and you don\u2019t want the stream to eat up your cell phone data plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/how-much-data-gps-uses\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"528\">how much data that GPS and maps can use on your phone<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some popular apps have download limitations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on what app you\u2019re using, you should probably check how much map data you are allowed to download.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, Google Maps imposes a hard limit of fifty square kilometers on your download.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re on a day hiking trip, this shouldn\u2019t be a problem!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you\u2019re driving across state then you\u2019ll simply run out of map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can lead to a stop-start journey. Every fifty meters, you\u2019ll have to pull over to get online and get the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alternative apps without download limitations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Google Maps and Apple Maps are made for a broad consumer base. With millions of users, it\u2019s understandable why they put a limit on free downloads from their servers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there are other good map applications that integrate with your phone GPS and don\u2019t have these kind of limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These apps are aimed at people who travel through back country with no access to the internet. They allow you to download many maps in advance of your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some apps are free, and others are a few bucks a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, one month\u2019s subscription to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">All Trails <\/a>is cheaper than a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You may be wondering if the GPS on your cell phone can work without using up your data plan. The answer is yes, but you may not be able to use all the features that you want. That may include maps and other apps. This article explains exactly how GPS works without data, and why &#8230; <a title=\"Does GPS Work Without Data? (Explained)\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/does-gps-work-without-data-explained\/\" aria-label=\"More on Does GPS Work Without Data? (Explained)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=523"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":535,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523\/revisions\/535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bandittracker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}