google maps: tips & tricks & more

darkson

Hi,
like several people who are into privacy & security and use open source software, I struggle to replace google maps; I find organic maps really good and the best open source replacement, yet it far to be as good as google maps: often I struggle searching addresses, locations are missing or not up-to-date, but the most important thing is the far superiority of google maps navigation, whereas organic maps failed me in several ways.

There are different approaches in using google maps on a GrapheneOS phone, also in this discussion board.
With this post I aim to share my set up in order to have a brain storming with you in the hope of sharing opinions, tips and tricks, upsides and downsides.

When I do not need google maps navigation I use the web version via Vanadium:
When I need google maps navigation I need to install the android app:

install google play store and services via GrapheneOS app store (google maps will not work properly without them being installed, unfortunately).
install google maps via Aurora Store. I avoid login in and using google play store in order to avoiding it to bloat and download further stuff, to avoid linking my google account to my android activities (even if google gets my info eg IP addresses and more, while using their apps)
allowing only internet and sensor permissions, permanently disabling google play store
I keep google maps and google play framework DISABLED all the time and enabling them only when need to use google maps navigation
I avoid using a separate and dedicated GrapheneOS user profile as I do feel my solution is easier, avoid "bloating" the phone with an added user profile, I do not need to switch user profiles to access stuff while I am driving with google maps navigation.

For sure there are other pros and cons with this settings that I have not listed above, and that is why I wish to have a reflection with you.

Thank you all in advance.

brush

I use a play account on my device - so when I used maps it would automatically sign in. I enabled incognito mode - how much that actually does, I don't expect much!

I'm in the habit of disabling location unless required anyway.

For now - I am using Magic Earth, I can recommend that as a step up from Organic for Navigation. I am going to see how long I can do without Gmaps. I have been satisfied with it enough to make a donation to the project. Works very well so far.

jackFang

I am using web version of google maps to search specific addresses and then copy coordinates to my organic maps and never failed me before, both in driving, walking or even taking public transport - but then again I currently live in big city.

Do note organic maps is just an app that uses openstreetmaps. They started adding some Kayak-related stuff to book hotels and people didn't like that. Its nothing invasive as it just redirects you to a website.. But if you ask me.. Map should be just a map. It's like coming to a restaurant and for drinks all they have is pepsi - they know you will most likely want a drink but who is to say I want to drink that when I'm thirsty. So I don't particularly like it, but at the same time don't dislike it. Being open source you can build it yourself without this stuff. Its always what comes when it becomes more streamlined. Feel free to use any map you feel comfortable with, remember that with increased privacy, you lose some convenience.

/ edit

"I keep google maps and google play framework DISABLED all the time and enabling them only when need to use google maps navigation"

This might help with battery preservation, but not sure if it accomplishes anything else

darkson

jackFang I also always copied google maps coordinates into organic maps and never failed me. The most important issues for me are related while being in a motorway or any unidirectional fast drive lane and the navigator not giving me up-to-date info (eg traffic jams, road accidents) and, CRITICAL ISSUE, organic map had to re-calculate the navigation while driving and gave me buggy and crazy directions; I am driving in a such scenario and these issues not only can cost me time lost but also can be dangerous (in terms of focusing my attention on auditing what is going on with my trip and my organic map navigation).
Otherwise organic maps most of the time is very good. Yet when it comes down to avoid dangerous situations and avoiding loosing time while in a hurry, I have decided to compromise with a bit of privacy.
I do not log in into google maps nor google play store && I use GrapheneOS with only few essential and opensource apps; if you want to take my IP address and link to the trip I am doing, well, I have to compromise.
I do not purposely use TOR/VPN for IP spoofing; I also have the idea that anyway data brokers and then google have already my IMSI/SS7 data (triangulation and stuff) and if they wish they could reconstruct my trips, but my thread model should be very low and this, like I said, is a compromise.

edit: grammar stuff

teezeh

I use Google Maps Go (web app) for local searches and Here We Go for navigation.

froggy4711

I use Magic Earth (for car) and Osmand (for hiking). For me, that's a very good replacement of Google Maps