<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSome phones have a feature called Assisted GPS or A-GPS.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis feature uses a tiny amount of cellular data. The cos is less than a cent per month.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis feature speeds up the initial process of how GPS tracks and locks in to three or more satellites to determine your location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That can take a few minutes when only using the GPS receiver in your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assisted GPS can kick in to use cellular data to get the satellite locations from a local cell tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you need to worry about this as part of your paid data plan? Not at all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some cell plan providers choose not to include A-GPS data in your plan. They simply absorb the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But even if yours isn\u2019t so generous, the cost is negligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even over a month, this only adds up to less than one cent of data. It could be about ten cents for a full year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How Much Phone Data Is Used By Basic Maps Features?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you only use Mapping apps to find a destination and set your itinerary, then you are using the basic set of features that use a small amount of data.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nA one-hour commute each way to work will use about 300 MB per month. The cost will range from $1 to $2 per month.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn general, Google Maps uses less data than Apple Maps. However, you shouldn\u2019t notice much difference in data usage or cost if you only use the basic features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How Much Phone Data Is Used By Advanced Maps Features?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBy \u201cadvanced\u201d features, we are referring to the kind of activities mentioned in the earlier section on when your phone uses data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That includes real-time traffic monitoring and\/or using satellite or street-view images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because usage can vary so much, we based our estimates on two hours per day for a month. If you only turn on these features when you\u2019re on a vacation, then of course you won\u2019t see similar costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We estimate that two hours per day uses about 2.1 GB per month. That can represent more significant costs of $7 to $15 dollars in a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, this is a broad estimate that cannot apply to everybody\u2019s usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a better way for you to figure out your own data usage and costs. The next sections provide how-to instructions on calculating your Maps usage on an Android phone or an iPhone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How To Check How Much Data That Maps Use On Your Android Phone<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThese are the step-by-step instructions for an Android phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Open the \u201cData Usage\u201d page on your Android phone. How to get there will vary by phone \u2013 here is the sequence on my Samsung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Open settings<\/li> Open \u201cMobile Data\u201d<\/li> Click on \u201cDetails\u201d<\/li> Open \u201cMobile Data Usage\u201d<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nThis page shows a list of apps on your phone and how much data they have consumed within a specific period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some of mine, including Google Maps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The number of megabytes used is shown beside the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take a note of the timeframe, which may be for the last one, two, or three days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bonus trick for an Android phone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a way to calculate more accurately how much Maps data you use on your daily commute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aim is to reset the data statistics back to zero right before you start your usual journey. Then, set off on your journey using all the map features that you typically use e.g. checking for traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reset the statistics, use the sequence above to get to the \u201cMobile Data Usage\u201d page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time, you\u2019ll click into the Map app to get to its details page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
click on the information icon<\/li> Click on the \u201cStorage\u201d option<\/li> Click \u201cClear Data\u201d<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nHere is the sequence in pictures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: the information icon is at the top of the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: find the storage option<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve highlighted the option in this picture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: clear the data (choose the button on the left which clears both data and cache).<\/p>\n\n\n\n