GPS, Airplane mode, Geo-tagging while in Europe with iPhone.

[BradS]

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With iPhone 15, the GPS still works fine in airplane mode. When backpacking in the nearby wilderness, where there is no cell service, I routinely engage airplane mode to conserve battery and am still able to use the compass and GPS tracking apps. It seems the OP could simply engage airplane mode and turn on bluetooth (and possibly Wi-Fi?). No need for cell service. 

[Photoworks]

22 hours ago, BradS said:

With iPhone 15, the GPS still works fine in airplane mode. When backpacking in the nearby wilderness, where there is no cell service, I routinely engage airplane mode to conserve battery and am still able to use the compass and GPS tracking apps. It seems the OP could simply engage airplane mode and turn on bluetooth (and possibly Wi-Fi?). No need for cell service. 

but does it work in the Fotos APP?

If anyone has an Apple Watch ULTRA the app WorkOutDoors  to track the walk and tag images later based on time.  GPS data is much more accurate with the 2 GPS systems at the same time.

[Einst_Stein]

On 7/18/2024 at 4:59 AM, Photoworks said:

Link 

you can get a eSIM for $15 and be good for 30 days.

I don't think the GPS of the phone will work without the internet, as most of the connections are started by true cell antennas, the GPS takes a few min to get started and won't work indoor.

 

Alternatively, you can use the phone to track the GPS on the phone and sync the images later, I use WorkOutDoors on my iPhone and Photo Mechanic 6 on the computer.

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You can use offline map (with GPS) without Internet. They allow download the selected country's maps. I used to use MapMe when it is free, but now it is somewhat more expensive than I would like to pay. So I use apple's map on iPhone.

iPhone map allows you download the map by region ( areas of rectangular shape, can cross country). The area size is annoying small, so I have to cut the region into pieces that overlap.

I found offline gps map very helpful in, say UK, where the internet signal may be bad in some area. When I visited Cambridge, I found even in the university campus is not reliable. With off-line GPS map, I am covered. 

However, when internet is available, I still like to use online map. I often encountered road construction that the offline map may not be updated. It would be very confusing if the navigation is not correct. 

I would not try to save the cost of local phone service. The cost per month is usually less than US$50, compared to the travel cost  of flight and hotel, it is very small percentage. One line per family or per group is good enough. But make sure the plan you buy covers all areas you are going to. Normally airport is the best place to buy (compared to the street corner of your hotel). It may not be the cheapest, but it is safer in area coverage.

 

Edited March 14 by Einst_Stein