Maps: Can They Fail Us When We Travel?

Traveling to new places can be exciting, but it can also be stressful if you're unsure of your surroundings. Luckily, digital maps on our phones have made it easier to navigate unfamiliar areas. However, what happens when these maps stop working while we're on the move? This can be a frustrating experience, and there could be several reasons behind it, such as internet connectivity issues, outdated app versions, or even device-specific glitches. In this article, we will explore common issues that cause maps to malfunction during travel and provide troubleshooting tips to get your digital compass back on track.

Check your internet connection

When Google Maps isn't working on your device, checking your internet connection is a good first step. If you're connecting to the internet using a slow or non-working WiFi connection, try to connect to another hotspot. Smartphones tend to hold on to a poor WiFi connection rather than switching to a better cellular signal.

If you're using an Apple device, you can check your connection by going to the Settings app and tapping Wi-Fi or Cellular, then selecting a network or cellular plan.

For Android devices, you can try updating the Google Maps app. Go to the Maps app in the Play Store and tap 'Open in Play Store app'. Then, tap 'More Updates' and find 'Map - Navigate & Explore', then tap 'Update'. You can also try clearing the app's cache and data.

Before travelling to a remote area, it's a good idea to check your network operator's coverage. You can use a Cellular Tower and Signal Map to see if your destination has good cell signal.

Clear cache and data

If your map app is not working properly, you can try clearing the app's cache and data. This will remove any stored images, map data, and offline maps, as well as resetting any cookies within the app.

On an Android device, you can clear the cache and data for your map app by opening the Settings app and tapping "Apps & notifications". Find the map app in the list of apps and tap on it. Then, tap "Storage & cache". You will see options to clear the cache and clear data storage. Clearing the cache will delete temporary data, while clearing data storage will permanently delete all app data.

For iOS devices, the process is a little different. Open the map app and tap on the burger menu in the upper left corner. Go to Settings and then choose "About, terms & privacy". Choose "Clear application data" and then tap "OK" to confirm. This will delete all the app data and caches, freeing up space on your device.

Clearing the cache and data for your map app can help resolve issues and improve the performance of the app. However, keep in mind that the app may need to download new mapping information after clearing the cache and data.

Update the app

If you're having issues with your map apps, updating them is a good way to ensure you have access to the latest features and bug fixes.

Google Maps

To use the most recent features of the Google Maps app, download the latest version of the app.

Here's how to update Google Maps on an Android device:

• Open the Google Play Store app.
• Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner.
• Tap "Settings".
• Tap "About, terms & privacy".
• Find your app version next to "Version".
• If you're not on the latest version, download the update.

Apple Maps

Apple Maps updates automatically each time Apple has something new to add. There is no way to force an update to the app on your iPhone or iPad to get newer maps. However, if you find an error, you can request a change be made to the map.

Here's how to request an update to Apple Maps:

• Open the Apple Maps app.
• Navigate to the location where you found the error.
• Tap the information logo at the top of the screen (this looks like an 'i' with a circle around it).
• In the Map Settings card that appears, tap "Add a Missing Place".
• On the "Add a Missing Place" card, choose "Business or Landmark", "Street or Address", or "Other".
• Make your suggested changes.
• Tap "Submit" to send your request for review.

Restart the app

If your map app stops working after traveling, there are several steps you can take to try and fix the issue. Restarting the app is a simple yet effective solution that can help resolve minor glitches and software issues. Here are detailed instructions on how to restart the Google Maps app on different devices:

Restarting Google Maps on Android Devices

• Open your device's Settings app.
• Go to "Apps & notifications" and locate the Maps app.
• Select the Maps app from the list.
• Tap on "Storage & cache" options.
• Clear the app's cache by deleting temporary data.
• If the issue persists, you can also clear the app's data storage, which will permanently delete all app data.

Restarting Google Maps on Apple Devices

• Ensure that Location Services and Location Access for Maps are enabled. Go to "Settings," tap "Privacy & Security," then "Location Services," and make sure both are turned on.
• Set the correct date, time, and time zone on your device. Go to "Settings," tap "General," then "Date & Time," and ensure that they are set correctly.
• Check your internet connection. Make sure cellular data or Wi-Fi is turned on, and you are connected to a network.
• Close the Maps app and reopen it.
• If the issue persists, try restarting your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Restarting TourSolver Mobile App on Android Devices

• Access the Settings on your Android smartphone or tablet.
• Locate the app used by default for maps/routes/navigation, such as Google Maps or Waze.
• Choose the "Launch by default" function.
• Personalize the "Open compatible links" option by selecting "Always ask" or "Open in this application."
• If you no longer want to use the installed app for maps, select "Do not open in this application."
• To reset all predefined default associations, clear the defaults in the Settings.

By following these steps, you can effectively restart the map app on your device, which may resolve any issues you were experiencing while traveling.

Re-calibrate the map

Google Maps uses your smartphone's built-in GPS, compass, Wi-Fi, and Location Services to determine your location. From time to time, your location features may become less precise, which can be frustrating and confusing. This decline in accuracy most often happens when the compass feature of your smartphone gets misaligned.

For Android users:

• Open the Settings app and tap "Location".
• Ensure that "Location" is toggled on.
• Tap "Improve Accuracy".
• Move the sliders for Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning to blue/on.
• Open the Google Maps app and tap on your location icon.
• If Google Maps doesn't calibrate your compass automatically, tap on the "Calibrate" button.
• Follow the instructions to move your phone in a figure-eight pattern until the "Compass Accuracy" is "High".

For iPhone users:

• In the Settings app, go to "Privacy & Security", then select "Location Services".
• Ensure that "Location Services" are turned on.
• Find Google Maps in the list of apps and choose "While Using the App".
• Turn on "Precise Location" to allow your iPhone to provide the most accurate data to Google Maps.
• Ensure that Wi-Fi and cellular data are activated, as this data helps Google Maps find your location.
• If you're still facing issues, restart your iPhone to clear any inaccurate information.

By following these steps, you can re-calibrate the map and improve the accuracy of your location data in Google Maps.

Frequently asked questions