I'm looking for a good suggestion for offline maps to use on my wifi only iPad Mini 4. Can anyone recommend any?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad mini Best offline maps
- Thread starter ibookg409
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This may or may not be helpful to you, but you can download regional areas on Google Maps for offline use. This may not be helpful if you need big geographical areas such as several states, etc.
I am using Pocket Earth. They have a free and a paid version. You can download maps of cities, regions or whole countries. The maps are based on openstreetmaps and updated regurlaly (free). The maps contain points of interest, shops, restaurants etc.. It also contains public transmit lines for many cities. I am using the paid version (Pocket Earth Pro) for a few years now and very pleased with it 
I'll try it.I am using Pocket Earth. They have a free and a paid version. You can download maps of cities, regions or whole countries. The maps are based on openstreetmaps and updated regurlaly (free). The maps contain points of interest, shops, restaurants etc.. It also contains public transmit lines for many cities. I am using the paid version (Pocket Earth Pro) for a few years now and very pleased with it
I use CityMaps2Go when I'm in Europe. It was free when I got it. Not sure if it still is but worth a couple bucks if its not. You need to download each city map though so you have to plan ahead.
If you have space on the device, you can download different sections . I cover three states and once downloaded them all- it actually look 5 or 6 sections of the map to download.
As it would turn out, I didn't want to sacrifice that much of my Phone's space- but it worked well. I believe I did this originally on a sprint device because the coverage was very bad and I didn't want to be a dead zone and couldn't navigate out.
I bought the Garmin app ages ago and it's been good considering they still keep it up to date even after all this time. Saved my bacon once years ago when I was moving. There I was, having made a wrong turn, in a big yellow box truck, towing my car on a trailer, on some dirt road in the middle of some corn fields in Kansas with no cell signal to speak of. Garmin got me out of there, and was smart enough to not suggest I keep making U-Turns.
I don't use it nearly as much any more since it does use a lot of space and data coverage has improved drastically over the years. Still, I download it every time I'm planning a long road trip to use as a backup. I always make sure I have a paper atlas too, since you just never know.
I don't use it nearly as much any more since it does use a lot of space and data coverage has improved drastically over the years. Still, I download it every time I'm planning a long road trip to use as a backup. I always make sure I have a paper atlas too, since you just never know.
Are you sure GPS works on a wifi-only iPad? IIRC only cellular models had GPS built in. Make sure you're getting something that can be used - unless you're not using it for GPS, and only for reference. Then it should be fine.
That would be news to me, as the GPS hardware comes with the phone chipset - which the WiFi-only models do not have.
A.
No they don't, not even the new ones. From the tech specs:
All models
- Digital compass
- Wi‑Fi
- iBeacon microlocation
- Assisted GPS and GLONASS
- Cellular
Shoot. BackCountry Navigator is android only.
How about https://www.gaiagps.com/apps/ios/? (seems to involve subscriptions, eww)
Of course, if your ipad doesn't have a gps chip, or a way to get gps information, it's less useful.
How about https://www.gaiagps.com/apps/ios/? (seems to involve subscriptions, eww)
Of course, if your ipad doesn't have a gps chip, or a way to get gps information, it's less useful.
Last edited:
When I pull up my iPad map in the car it gives me a specific lat and log position. I check my phone I get the same coordinates.
Words have meaning. GPS is a specific thing. Your iPad knows where it is because of a huge database of Wi-Fi hotspots and locations. Has nothing at all to do with GPS, which uses a cluster of satellites broadcasting time and location information.
pedantically yours,
A.
I found this: "The Wi-Fi iPad uses something called Wi-Fi trilateration to determine your location. In addition to granting Internet access outside of the home, the Cellular iPad has an A-GPS chip to allow for a more accurate read of your current location."
As a result, your iPad must have been connected to WiFi or even your iPhone to know it's location.
As a result, your iPad must have been connected to WiFi or even your iPhone to know it's location.
As may be, but it was once, and has a cache of the location data for the hotspots it has seen.
A.
You should definitely test this. Download the offline maps on Google, then drive out to somewhere outside of town without nearby Wifi signals, and see if the GPS still works.
For about $100, you can get a super accurate gps accessory that plugs into the lightning port.
If you have an iphone, there may be an app that allows you to tether the two devices together and exchange GPS data.
Since my ipad is old, and my phone isn't an iphone, I haven't thoroughly investigated.
If you have an iphone, there may be an app that allows you to tether the two devices together and exchange GPS data.
Since my ipad is old, and my phone isn't an iphone, I haven't thoroughly investigated.
I use the MAPS.ME app. It let's you download maps for each state, etc. I have an iPad mini 4 with cellular and I recently used it in Airplane mode while flying to a couple different states and it tracked me all along the way. It is a free app and I think it is great.