pdagenius How were you able to buy the subscription? I have Sygic on my GrapheneOS P7, nothing Google installed, and when I click to buy the subscription, I get an error message. I tried uninstalling Sygic, installing Google stuff from Apps and reinstalling Sygic, still no luck.

I've e-mailed the company for help on other ways to license it but haven't heard back yet.

    lcalamar Spent the day trying out:

    • Magic Earth
    • Organic Maps
    • OSMAND+

    They are listed in order of usability (for me).
    Of these I find OSMand+ to be pretty useless. Organic maps is ok but Magic Earth is by far the best of these.

    I do have GMaps in a separate profile - and disabled but it is there if I want to use it.

        The biggest issue I see with most nav software is lack of TRAFFIC data. Unfortunately, this makes gmaps and/or waze (same thing, different UI) pretty much indispensable.

          abcZ Yeah - that's why I keep gmaps around... I do have a GPS device in my car - and it does traffic ok (Garmin)... when I'm planning to go somewhere though - I prefer to do it at home prior to getting in my car. That way I can avoid an app yelling at me while I am driving.

            abcZ

            Yeah... but I cringe to use traffic mapping knowing that they get that data by snooping on users.

              Thinking "outside of the box" on this topic but I wanted to suggest that a standalone GPS is always an option albeit not the cheapest option. You can find Garmin GPS units for decent prices these days and they don't require an account or any personal information to use.

                Yeah, I looked at the TomTom GPS units as a possible alternative.

                I managed to buy a subscription to Sygic on another android device I have that is connected to the playstore (while logged into Sygic via my e-mail) and that seems to be working well. Yes, they may be logging my data but it's not Google. Will try it and see.

                I've had network access restricted on Gmaps for more than 3 weeks now and the map I downloaded is still working so maybe the downloads last longer than 2 weeks that someone else reported?

                As for Waze, I had considered it but won't use it because it doesn't function offline and Google isn't getting my mapping data.

                alex_herrero
                I think Waze is horrible, even just from a navigation standpoint. This opinion based on a decade of cab rides in new york and arguing with countless waxe-using cabbies

                  Conjure6589 YES... that is why I got my Garmin DriveSmart 65. I keep it in my car.

                  Pros:

                  • Doesn't track me
                  • does 1 thing only (not 100% true - I also added a BT backup camera - awesome)
                  • does a pretty decent job but not as good as gmaps - but 95% as good

                  Cons:

                  • I use speech and typing for making entries, try to save as many addresses as I can - but data entry just is cumbersome. Doesn't do well for finding businesses, restaurants, etal... (but I don't really use that feature with nav apps either...)
                  • Because it is kept in the car - I can't use it to map a route before I leave
                  • GPS lock can take a long time - and isn't great in certain areas and under bridges, tunnels, etc...

                  All in all though its a good solution.

                  Note: I got it because at the time I had a minimal phone (LPII) and it didn't do any nav.

                    After exploring all options, Magic Earth is the best alternative. It has a decent options and it has live traffic. Live traffic is definitely needed as you wouldn't like that your Navi guides you in a traffic jam they are not aware of..
                    So Osmand and organic maps are not good for driving, Cause it can lead you in a traffic jam.

                      dlb Thanks for validating that magic Earth works best for driving!!

                      I would add that both organic maps and osmand also are more difficult to use.

                      • dlb replied to this.

                          lcalamar And the best option by far is speed cameras warning. It is top notch when it comes to privacy when dealing with navigation.

                            User2288 You say it gathers locations and wifi data.
                            Is this connected to your profile, or just uploaded as part of their map/location database?
                            And what if you use Google Maps without a profile? I do delete my Google account, so I'm not logged in Google Maps. Is this mitigating some of the data tracking this way?
                            I also tried Organic Maps and OsmAnd, but neither of it comes even close when searching for places. It is actually so bad as to be not usable. If you search for a building name, it doesn't suggest as a search result, but when you zoom in on the address, it is showing that exact building name?!

                                Used Osmand for several years, switched to Organic Maps a few month ago.

                                Both are nice. Osmand filled with features, Organic just the basics in a very polished app.

                                The preceding comment from @User2288 was not accurate information and it's not clear where they obtained that information. It has been removed.

                                  • [deleted]

                                  • Post #49

                                  I've been using organic maps since I have GrapheneOS (2 years) and I love this app! Very nice to use when I take the car, very accurate and very fast to calculate a route. I recommend it with my eyes closed

                                  GrapheneOS

                                  Fair enough. I should have worded it differently and differentiated between fact and speculation. Next time :).

                                    5 months later

                                    Does google maps PWA allow for navigation?

                                    I installed the pwa and can find my destination but then when I press navigate, it doesn’t do anything. I allowed vanadium location access, but not sure if there may be more steps I need to complete for actual navigation