Using your phone's GPS Navigation allows you to navigate from your current location to your next destination.  Similar to a car GPS Navigation System, you may have used your phone and Google Maps to navigate.  The focus of this page is on using your phone to navigate while walking to your next activity.

One of the most valuable features of our Mobile Trip Profile is the ability to set a map navigation link for a location activity providing single click access that will use your phone's GPS Navigation to take you there.  See our page in the Pre-Travel Area for additional details on Maps / Mobile GPS Map Navigation and setting the actual map link in the Mobile Trip Profile.

Assuming you have configured the Mobile Trip Profile with the navigation links you intend to use for your activities, when you have arrive, expand the location and activity you are interested in and click the icon to start the navigation process.  If you are walking, be sure you have selected the 'Walk' icon otherwise the app may try and take you along a driving route which could end up being much further and on streets where you would not normally walk.

Using your phone's GPS Navigation can be very battery intensive, draining it much faster than typical use.  See our page on Battery Backup.

Wear OS by Google
Be sure to see our Wear OS Wmartwatch page for information on syncing a Wear OS watch with your Smartphone allowing you to use Google Maps on your watch for navigation.

Using a mobile network when navigating

If you are connected to your provider's mobile network, GPS Navigation should work as it always does.

When traveling internationally, depending on your service plan, you may have mobile access at reduced speeds while roaming on other networks.  You will be able to use maps in real-time, but they can take longer to load.

Weak Signals

No matter where you are, if you have a weak network signal, it can take longer to connect, download maps and you may find that you loose network connectivity.  GPS Navigation may work while you have a signal but stop responding when your signal is lost.  This can be frustrating, so you may want to consider using downloaded offline maps as described below; although that method has it's limitations as well.

The compass  *** Important ***

When using your phone to navigate, setting the compass is very important.  There should be a small compass displayed somewhere on the navigation page similar to the images below.  There are basically two compass settings that can be switched simply by clicking on the compass icon; both are explained below.

Compass Settings
Map on Phone Always Aligned to North	Map on Phone Fixed with North at Top
This setting keeps the map displayed on the screen aligned to north so that it always matches the street layout.  No matter what direction you turn, the map on the screen stays aligned to north, matching the streets. *** This is the setting you want *** You will notice that the compass needle will move so that it always points to north no matter what direction you may be facing, but the map will stay fixed. Think of placing a map on the floor aligned to north so that it matches the street layout.  You then stand on the map where you are located and turn in a a circle.  The map does not move, it stays aligned to the street layout. Having the compass in this setting means that when you walk and change direction, what you see on your phone will match the streets in front of you.	This setting keeps north at the top of the map displayed on the screen no matter what direction you may be facing.  Unless you are facing north, the map will not align to the streets. Think of placing a map on the floor aligned to north so that it matches the street layout.  You then stand on the map where you are located and turn in a circle.  As you turn, the map turns with you so that north is always at the top in front of any direction you are standing.  Once you turn away from north, the map will no longer match the street layout. Having your compass in this setting means that when you walk and change direction away from north, what you see on your phone will not match the streets in front of you.

Calibrating the Compass

If you notice that the path you are taking is not exactly in line with your phone's street display, you may need to calibrate your phone's compass.

The first and easiest thing to try is to move your phone around in a figure-8 pattern a few times.  The movement may help the phone recognize your location and direction to better align with the streets.

As all phones are different, you will probably need to look up how to manually calibrate the internal compass.  The following example is for a Samsung Galaxy S8.

• Select Phone app
• Open keypad
• Enter *#0*#
• Select on the 'Sensor' tile
• Scroll down to 'Magnetic Sensor'
• Spin your phone all the way around until it is calibrated (will flash green)
• Repeatedly tap the Back button until you're back to the home screen

Downloading and using offline maps

Ahead of time, from a location where you have service, use your phone and download offline maps of locations you will be visiting.  For example, if you plan on walking around Paris France, you can easily save an offline map.  Using an offline map will save on network usage, increase response time and ensure you have a map of the area should there be limited or no mobile service.

See our page on Offline Maps explaining how to download and use an offline map.

Practice, practice, practice

This may seem simple and it is once you get it down, but be sure you have it down.

Take your phone and actually use it.  Practice navigating from your 'Current Location', Walking to various locations around your town.  Practice using navigation when you have network service and by using downloaded offline maps in Airplane Mode to disable network service.

Paris Navigation Example
Depending on your phone and the app you are using, your display may be different but this should give you an idea of what to expect.
	In this example, we are navigating from our current location which happens to be the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Notre Dame Cathedral. * The most convenient and quickest way would be to take the Metro, but it's a nice day and we have decided to walk. We have selected the 'Walking' symbol on the main navigation panel to the left to be sure we get a walking route as driving and bus routes would likely be different. On your phone, something similar to the display below should appear showing your route.
Paris Walking Route: Eiffel Tower to the Notre Dame Cathedral