Didn't know about wi fi in the car !

[juless77]

We'll sort of wi fi ... We we're coming home from treasure island the other day and I had used all my data but also needed to charge my phone ..what I didn't know was I had put in google maps the way home from treasure island and because it was pugged in I got google maps via the wi fi in the car and gave me directions all the way home I didn't know this worked so thought I would mention it in case any one else didn't ... it wouldn't work for anything else I tried like what's app news etc just google maps feel quiet impressed with myself lol x hope it helps someone else x

[FloridaDave]

Are you sure it wasn’t cached data on your phone as Google Maps does cache map data.

Seems strange that plugging your phone in to power would connect to a WiFi in the car as it would connect plugged in or not if it was an open non-password protected network if your phone is set to automatically connect to open networks. Did you see what wifi network your phone connected to (did it show it was connected to WiFi)

Dave

[BevS97]

I think Dave has it. The map is cached and you don’t need Wi-fi for your location.

[RickT]

also - if using Google maps you should download the offline maps to your phone to save on data usage.

[juless77]

I plugged the phone in and on the screen on the dash board the wi fi sign came on and google maps gave me directions lol the way home x

[keith1973]

Originally Posted by juless77

I plugged the phone in and on the screen on the dash board the wi fi sign came on and google maps gave me directions lol the way home x

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Google maps uses GPS so would be able to give you directions without WiFi.

[BucksBugsy]

I've just returned a rental car (in the uk) and this happened with my android phone when connected to the USB socket in the car. It brought up the Google maps display on the head unit but This is very much dependant on the system in the car.

As others have said Google maps caches content . Ibwould be nice though if the car did have free WiFi but I suspect most rental companies wouldn't allow it to be free for long!

[mattyped]

Some cars if you physically connect to car can use that phones data to create a wifi for other car users. Perhaps that was what was seen on the display. Anyhow at least something happened which got you back😉

[FloridaDave]

Originally Posted by juless77

I plugged the phone in and on the screen on the dash board the wi fi sign came on and google maps gave me directions lol the way home x

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That’ll be AppleCar Play or Android Auto (depending on your phone type) which puts compatible Apps and features of your phone on the car display. A lot of cars now have this as as I said, Google Maps caches Map Data to use as offline Maps (you can do this in advance) so that’ll be what was giving by you directions (GPS on phones is always on to locate you).

Dave

[juless77]

Thanks everyone