Re: Magic Earth app

Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:

UFO, 2024-08-06 04:39:
 

Was given a Moto G5 plus phone, with just the emergency service and was told
I can install this GPS tool to it and use it for driving directions.

 
A "GPS tool" will not give you driving directions, you need a navigation
app.
 

How would I get the app onto the phone since its not got service?

 
Using USB sideloading.
 

I have a Windows Desktop and I can plug the USB into it, and exchange files,
but I dont think the app can be downloaded on a Win Machine
because its a differenet OS?

 
You can download APK files, copy them to the phone and use the file
manager app of the phone to install the app by opening the APK file.
However you also need map data not only the tool.

According to https://www.magicearth.com/faq-en/#maps-help:

- Although they are using the crowd-sourced map data from
  OpenStreetsMap, their app downloads offline maps from their web site,
  not from the OpenStreetMaps web site. 
    Maybe that is a requirement for 3rd-party apps to eliminate OSM from
    having to brunt the bandwidth.
- Maps are updated approximately once per month (middle of month).

The OP doesn't have an Internet connection via cellular data, only wifi
which means static hotspots.  According to the map FAQ, their offline
maps only include cartographic data.  No elevation/terrain info.  No
satellite imagery.  Those would bloat the maps to large sizes, lots of
bandwidth, and slow downloads to update.  The more offline maps you
download, the longer the update process since all offline maps get
updated, not just the one in which you might be currently interested.

As you noted, getting just the .apk installer file is an incomplete
solution.  The OP will also have to use a wifi hotspot to download all
the offline maps for the regions he intends to visit or drive through.

I suspect the OP will be very disappointed in using only offline maps
downloaded to his phone.  If he visits elsewhere, he will have to wait
until he finds a wifi hotspot to get another map for a new region.  Lots
of data is missing in offline maps.  OSM map data is incomplete or
missing in many areas simply because there is no one in those areas
submitting map update (resident population too sparse).