Before you head out, save your map so it’s available offline. Aerial imagery, topography, and trails are downloaded to your mobile device, so when you’re out on the trail it just works. Most phones today come with GPS built-in, so you can put your device in airplane mode during your ride and still know right where you are and what’s around you. Maps saved to your device don’t need to be turned on manually when you’re in the field - just use the app normally when you’re offline and you’ll see all the areas you’ve saved.
Offline status - Offline mode is automatically turned on when you don’t have cell service, but tapping Go Offline manually or using airplane mode is best. This way the map loads quickly from the device memory instead of trying to load fresh data over a weak cellular data connection.
Map detail level - The clearer the map is up close, the more space it takes up on your phone as an offline map. Different map sizes let you save high-resolution maps in the small areas that count and lower-resolution maps to see the bigger picture. Use some high-detail maps in the areas you expect to ride and a larger, low-detail map around them to place those areas in the larger landscape.
Map download status - You can choose which offline maps you’d like to keep on your device to free up storage space. A green checkmark in the Offline Maps Menu or a green border on your map means the area is saved to your phone. A red and white striped border means the area is NOT saved to your phone.
It’s a good idea to download any map updates for the latest imagery and trail data available. Put your phone in airplane mode to test what you’ll see in the backcountry.
Web Map - Create and manage Offline Maps quickly and easily from your computer and download them to your phone later. Naming your Offline Maps helps to keep track of what’s on your phone.
Online features - GPS technology lets you see where you are without cell service, but some tools only work online. Markups created offline will work on your device but you’ll need a cell or Wi-Fi connection to Share Markups or back them up to your account. Real-time information like weather is not available offline.
Next article: Markups and Tracking.
>Go back to the first article: "Learning the basics of onX Offroad."