Using TomTom App abroad

GPS access alone does not use data.

The TomTom maps data is downloaded and installed on the iPhone for direct access by the TomTom app. No internet/data access is required for maps data as is required with the iPhone's Maps application.

Data roaming is off by default with the iPhone and should remain off when roaming internationally. This will not prevent you from receiving and placing calls, and the same for SMS/MMS, but you can't access the internet or data via the cellular network when roaming internationally with data roaming off.

It should work without data but you could email TomTom to be sure.

You're welcome.

So the TomTom app will still work in europe without the need for a data connection?

Correct. Copied from my previous post.

The TomTom maps data is downloaded and installed on the iPhone for direct access by the TomTom app. *No internet/data access is required for maps data as is required with the iPhone's Maps application*.

confirmation. tomtom will work without any access to any services! needs only a gps signal which is free worldiwde 🙂

greets
werner

Allan Sampson wrote:

Data roaming is off by default with the iPhone and should remain off when roaming internationally. This will not prevent you from receiving and placing calls, and the same for SMS/MMS, but you can't access the internet or data via the cellular network when roaming internationally with data roaming off.

So TomTom uses GPS data only, no data roaming required. How come the iPhone's own built-in Maps app can't use the iPhone's GPS facility?

I'm roaming at the moment, I have the phone facility turned-on but Data Roaming turned-off and the Maps app only works when I'm on a wifi network. Otherwise it gives me a "Data Roaming not switched on" error message.

So TomTom uses GPS data only, no data roaming required.

The TomTom app uses the iPhone's GPS receiver, which doesn't require internet or data access.

How come the iPhone's own built-in Maps app can't use the iPhone's GPS facility?

It does, but maps data with the built-in Maps app is not stored locally on the iPhone. Maps data with the built-in Maps app must be downloaded from the internet, which requires an internet connection.

All maps data used by the TomTom app are installed and available locally on the iPhone, so no internet access is required for the TomTom app to access maps data.

Allan Sampson wrote: Maps data with the built-in Maps app must be downloaded from the internet, which requires an internet connection.

Ping. That sound, is a penny dropping.

Thanks 🙂

I too remain a somewhat confused on how one can use the iPhone's GPS while travelling abroad. If I don't want to incur huge data roaming charges, and therefore leave data roaming off, can I still use the iPhone's GPS, or do you need to use one of the location apps?

I imagine if you use one of the location apps while travelling abroad, as they require an internet connection via a cellular network to function, one gets charged international data roaming charges. Is this right?

The way around this - if I am following the discussion correctly - is to purchase tom tom, or something related, and as it functions without needing an internet connection, additional fees are not incurred? But if this is true - then the iPhone GPS as a standalone device is useless. No?

Thanks,
john.

confirmation. tomtom will work without any access to any services! needs only a gps
signal which is free worldiwde

Courtesy of all the happy U.S. taxpayers. You're welcome! 🙂

I imagine if you use one of the location apps while travelling abroad, as they require an internet connection via a cellular network to function, one gets charged international data roaming charges. Is this right?

Correct.

Maps data with the built-in Maps app is not stored locally on the iPhone. Maps data with the built-in Maps app must be downloaded from the internet, which requires an internet connection. The same applies to any location app that does not include maps data stored locally on the iPhone - maps data must be downloaded from the internet as with the built-in Maps app.

The way around this - if I am following the discussion correctly - is to purchase tom tom, or something related, and as it functions without needing an internet connection, additional fees are not incurred? But if this is true - then the iPhone GPS as a standalone device is useless. No?

The answer to your first question is yes, additional fees will not be incurred. How is the iPhone GPS as a standalone device useless then? The maps data with a standalone GPS device is stored locally on the device. Without the included maps data stored locally on the device, a standalone GPS device is useless. The same applies to the iPhone when roaming internationally. Maps data must be stored locally on the iPhone for use with a GPS location app so internet access is not required to download maps data.

Crystal clear explanation, Allan. Thanks.

Still, as I'm new to this and remain curious, aside from Tom Tom and Navigon - which are on the costly side - are there any other location/navigation apps, that allows one to use maps previously downloaded onto to the iPhone - say, via WiFi - and then later use the iPhone's GPS capability while travelling outside your cellular coverage - and thus avoid those nasty international data roaming charges?

~ john

Does it use satellite or the cellular towers for the signal? When I travel I loose cell service in some areas and I don't want to loose it when im useing the gps.

I already answered this question.

The TomTom app provides turn by turn navigation via GPS with maps data included with the app stored locally on the iPhone - just as with a stand-alone GPS device. The TomTom app uses the iPhone's GPS receiver only. Cell towers cannot provide a GPS fix.

the question is, how is the quality of the gps signal, so it doesn't require the gps "assistance", just the gps?