Confused about the online/offline navigation

[David Bonner]

I am confused about the online/offline navigation setting.

I had previously assumed that the best way to use the app is to download the maps needed for the areas you intend to travel and then to have the app in offline mode during navigation. This would avoid the app having to constantly update the navigation screen, also to avoid problems if there is no internet. However, this mode appears to prevent automatic re-routing to avoid road closures etc. See screenshots of the same route with and without offline navigation - for information there has been no access to the A11 at that particular junction for several weeks.

So is it better to have the app in online mode for navigation so that the app can re-route if necessary? And presumably such features as upcoming petrol stations etc will be displayed in future updates? But in this mode will the app automatically use the downloaded maps if there is weak signal?

I am probably missing something obvious, but I would be grateful if somebody could explain to me which is the best way to use the online/offline setting?

Incidently, I noticed that the ‘Traffic aware route calculation’ option is set to on (ie switch toggled to the right), and route recalculation is working (when online) but the switch is still greyed out and it is not possible to alter it.

Version 3.2.16, iPhone 13.

[Rob Verhoeff]

If you have downloaded the maps, it is best to keep the app online. The app will use the downloads for the maps and won't go online. That will undoubtedly save data consumption from your phone plan. However, you will still need an online connection for traffic information. If there is no network coverage, the traffic information will be unavailable, but you can still navigate using the downloaded maps.

[David Bonner]

@Rob-Verhoeff Ok, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification - online it is then!

[Rob Verhoeff]

@David-Bonner you will see that the small yellow dot in the lower blue box wil disapear when you select online mode.

[David Bonner]

@Rob-Verhoeff Yes, thanks I realised that. A useful reminder of which mode is selected - a nice feature!

[Con Hennekens]

@David-Bonner, Yes it is! But I think the icon is a bit unlucky it looks like a streetsign...

@Corjan-Meijerink, I hate to stretch your patience and it is really cosmetic, but if it it could be replaced with a cloud-symbol that would be great. With a strike through for off-line mode and without one for online, I would suggest (that would make the icon permanent).

[Bart De Medts]

@Con-Hennekens yes indeed. Good suggestion!

[Bart De Medts]

@Con-Hennekens yes indeed. Good suggestion!

[Angelo Greco]

@Rob-Verhoeff , so for clarity, to keep the application online the Navigation Setting, Functional Setting, Offline Navigation shouold be set to "OFF". Am I understand this correctly?

[Bart De Medts]

@Angelo-Greco yes indeed.

[Rob Verhoeff]

@Angelo-Greco If you select "Offline navigation" in the menu under "Navigation settings" (toggle is green), the app will not use the internet but rely on downloaded maps for navigation. However, you will miss the "traffic-aware route calculation" feature.

[Rob Verhoeff]

@Corjan-Meijerink, if it it could be replaced with a cloud-symbol that would be great. With a strike through for off-line mode and without one for online, I would suggest (that would make the icon permanent).

You're absolutely right. But a cloud symbol could also create confusion and has more to do with data storage rather than an internetconnection. Someone might be mistaken and think that it means weather information cannot be retrieved. What about such an option?

Don't pay attention to the size of the image.

[Con Hennekens]

@Rob-Verhoeff, Haha, nice! I think cloud stands for internet nowadays, don't you think? Yeah, someday we will probably get some weather layer, then we can use a sunny icon maybe

[Calibos]

I propose this one it is quite telling

[richtea999]

They need to be small but easily recognisable. These are pretty standard symbols (see Apple Mac) and low enough resolution to be easy to create / colour:

Or:

(Courtesy of icons8.com)

[Bart De Medts]

@richtea999 yes, I like these!

[Corjan Meijerink]

Funny thing is: we do use the official material design icon for mobile data off (https://fonts.google.com/icons?selected=Material Symbols Outlined%3Amobiledata_off%3AFILL%400%3Bwght%40400%3BGRAD%400%3Bopsz%4048)

There are quite some other options too.
Just remember for now that no icon is online and a (this) icon there is offline

I’ll give it another look but not a very high priority at this point

[Bart De Medts]

@Corjan-Meijerink no icon is online you mean

[Corjan Meijerink]

@Bart-DM thanks! Edited my response I should go sleep hahah

[Bart De Medts]

@Corjan-Meijerink have a good night