Never get lost travelling with an iPhone
Data roaming is prohibitively expensive so most people will turn it off when traveling abroad. There is a way you can still use the iPhone’s built in GPS to navigate your way around foreign cities. The best thing of all it’s totally free. All you need is an iPhone that’s connected to the local phone network. If your iPhone is unlocked you can even use a pre-paid SIM from any provider.
- Before you head out you’ll need to work out where you want to go while your iPhone is connected to the internet, either at the airport, a cafe or your hotel/hostel.
- Pinpoint your current location in the Maps app.
- Work out where you need to get to on the map and slowly scroll to that destination making sure the maps download as you go. If it’s supported in the country where you are you can even use the directions function.
- Start walking/driving. The Maps app has a built in database and will store and display the maps you’ve just downloaded even when you’re no longer connected to the internet. The inbuilt GPS will use the phone network to update your location as you move.
There we are, in 4 steps you’ve got a packet sized alternative to a paper map that will not only show you the surrounding streets but exactly where you are and which direction you’re heading in.