Yes, some Gaia GPS features work offline.
Whether your route takes you through busy city streets or to remote mountain peaks, you will always be able to see your current location in the Gaia GPS app.
1. Connect to the internet to download maps to your device.
2. Use your device's GPS chip to navigate without an internet connection.
1. Download Maps
Gaia GPS lets you download maps directly to your device.
Downloaded maps save locally to your device for offline access.
Be sure to download maps before you go on a trip, while you are connected to the internet:
2. Use GPS
After downloading maps, you can use your device’s GPS to locate yourself and navigate offline.
GPS-enabled devices connect to positioning satellites to determine your location.
Your device does not need an internet connection (cellular or wifi) to provide GPS data to the app.
These articles will show you how to configure your device's GPS location settings:
Comments
21 comments
I am trying to use a Windows 10 based Microsoft Surface tablet with an external GPS plugin from USB but do not see any way to download maps into the Windows version (run via a browser). any plans to support this or create an app? seems to work on my Android
@kenwills
Yes, the new version of Gaia GPS that is free to download and a membership is required when downloading an offline map.
If you purchased the classic version of Gaia GPS, you will receive two free years of Gaia GPS Membership when you log into the new app with your Gaia GPS account.
I downloaded a map. When I arrived at my location Gaia would not open (no servce). I couldn't get to my map. However, my fitness app worked. Thank goodness I had a rudimentary paper map and a compass. What happened?
@williamtheis
Sorry for the confusion, the option to download offline maps is just available in the Android and iOS versions of Gaia GPS.
Feel free to vote and comment on this feature request for a Windows 10 version of Gaia GPS: Windows 10 App.
@bpchristensen
Thanks for the screenshot. The shaded area on your map is actually the area produced by the Create Area feature, sorry for the confusion.
You can hide the area shading you see by:
To load the offline map that was downloaded for the area, please follow these steps: Using Offline Maps.
@Nathan - thanks for the reply. I don't think that is the issue; if I tap the map, I just get a "information" bubble for the spot I tap. I see no option to "Show in Main Map"
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@bpchristensen
It sounds like you are viewing the preview map for the area that has been downloaded.
In the iOS app, you can load your offline map into the main map by tapping the preview map and then selecting “Show in Main Map”.
How do I get rid of the pink overlay shading on offline map areas? I'm seeing this in both the iOS app and the web site...
@evanyoung
Can you click “Submit a Request” above to contact support directly and include the coordinates for the area your trying to view?
My satellite view option does not provide any image? What do you suggest?
@g_lori
I'm sorry there was an issue with Gaia GPS on your recent trip. Can you click “Submit a Request” above to contact support directly and include the details on the offline map you were trying to use?
@jeff.w.conrad
Here are the requirements to run the Android version of Gaia GPS:
Typically, GPS chips are not included in WiFi-only tablets, but we have found there is a wide range of variation among Android tablets and you can also pair your tablet with an external GPS receiver such as Bad Elf Bluetooth GPS device to improve your accuracy within Gaia GPS.
I am considering purchasing a tablet primarily to use for navigating while overlanding and traveling on trails. I prefer Android devices. Are there any system requirements or recommendations that I should consider since I am purchasing specifically for this purpose? Is there any advantage to having a cellular device versus a wifi only device. Do GPS systems in tablets differ and if so is there a system that provides better accuracy when using your app?
Thank you.
This does not appear to be true for the new Apple Watch 3 with GPS+Cellular. Do you know when the GAIA app for Apple Watch 3 will be able to work 100% standalone (e.g. not connected to an iPhone)?
@drcorner
I'm sorry you are having issues downloading maps. I answered your questions inline below:
1. Some of the time the maps do not actually download 100%, they stop at 90/95% and when I try to resume download - nothing.
Can you let me know what map source you are using and the size of the download so I can take a closer look at this issue?
2. At first I was downloading a large area for offline use, when zooming in the imagery was very blurry. I tried to then download zoomed in, much smaller areas to create the wanted large area...still does not help that the images were very pixilated when zoomed in - is there anyway to download offline satellite imagery that is more clear?
When downloading maps for offline use, you can use the Max Zoom slide bar to adjust the amount of detail each download will have.
You can learn more about how to adjust map downloads here for Android or iOS.
3. Some of the satellite imagery online is not very clear (yes separate section, figured id ask here anyway with my other questions). Is there a reason some locations are more clear than others?
Unfortunately, due to the process by which satellite maps are created some areas can be clearer than others.
I recommend checking out different Satellite Imagery maps like Satellite map from MapBox or the World Imagery map if you're a Premium Member
Having trouble/issues downloading maps for offline use, satellite more specifically.
1. Some of the time the maps do not actually download 100%, they stop at 90/95% and when I try to resume download - nothing.
2. At first I was downloading a large area for offline use, when zooming in the imagery was very blurry. I tried to then download zoomed in, much smaller areas to create the wanted large area...still does not help that the images were very pixilated when zoomed in - is there anyway to download offline satellite imagery that is more clear?
3. Some of the satellite imagery online is not very clear (yes separate section, figured id ask here anyway with my other questions). Is there a reason some locations are more clear than others?
Thank You
@TravisKonkle
Thanks for your question, I saw you sent us an email too and Chris has followed up with you there with a few options for your clients.
To answer your question, though - we don't have any current plans to unlock downloading maps at the free level, but most other features of the app are available for free.
Backcountry Navigator allows non paying members to download their basic map for offline use for free. Will Gaia GPS be offering this same feature? I have clients that I would prefer use your app but I do not want them to have to pay for an annual subscription when they may only be using it for a once time trip.
It appears with the new "free" level product you are no longer permitted to download maps. is this correct? Based on https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003524547-Free-vs-Membership-vs-Premium-Membership
@melgararm yes, you can manually import or look up coordinates in the app. You can also save coordinates for anywhere on the map by creating a waypoint.
Does Gaia GPS able to locate coordinates for any trip?
Gaia GPS currently requires a connection with your main device to display offline maps.
We don't have any current plans to create a standalone watch app, but please feel free to vote and comment on the feature request for that here: https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115008813428-Standalone-app-for-Apple-Watch-Series-3-
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