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Help My 'Waze' GPS App doesn't work when Away from Home?

Well this thread has wandered off topic for the most part. The OP had a problem with Waze and then it morphed into recommendations for mapping apps that don't have the same or any live traffic functionality, and lots of advice on pre-loading maps for off-line usage, something as far as I know isn't even a function that Waze has. There's a confusing mix of relevant and otherwise throughout.
 
svim said:
Well this thread has wandered off topic for the most part. The OP had a problem with Waze and then it morphed into recommendations for mapping apps that don't have the same or any live traffic functionality, and lots of advice on pre-loading maps for off-line usage, something as far as I know isn't even a function that Waze has. There's a confusing mix of relevant and otherwise throughout.
Click to expand...

It's all relevant because it's the OP's first smartphone and because it's a Tracfone, and Tracfones don't have unlimited data.
 
OK whatever. But how does that tie into the OP's actual question, the topic this thread is actually supposed to be about?
 
It's not really relevant. They were just trying to suggest that the OP use an offline map app like CoPilot to have it working on navigation even without connection. Although it should be pointed out that in some aspects, Waze is much much better than offline options. Live traffic alone makes it that much better.
 
If you live in a rural area like I do, Traffic reports are meaningless.... the nearest place that has such is 350 miles away from me. See any traffic in my Avatar?? :p

Also, 4g availability is a "sometimes" thing, and the map stutters a lot on the WAZE if you don't have 4g.

That is why I go to extreme lengths to explain the good with the bad....
CoPilot USA does not need a cell tower, period..... and it offers Traffic if you want to pay for it.... however, they give you the 1st year free with purchase of the Upgrade. So far, it has been useless to me. I tried it on a 4,500 mile trip, and I never got a single Alert... anywhere.
 
AZgl1500 said:
If you live in a rural area like I do, Traffic reports are meaningless.... the nearest place that has such is 350 miles away from me. See any traffic in my Avatar?? :p
Click to expand...

The OP, however, isn't you. So let's stick to helping with the issue in hand. ;)

So far I think it can be summarised as follows:

(a) Waze requires a data connection to do its thing properly, which may be expensive.
(b) Alternative nav apps that pre-install map data may offer a solution, at the (possible) expense of real-time traffic alerts.
 
This thread has been hijacked into a vague discussion on data plan usage and cost. The OP's query had no mention of any cost issue nor were they asking about any alternatives, it was a specified problem when using the Waze app. Instead of help the OP received misleading and divergent tips along with emphatic recommendations to do things not even related to Waze.
 
In reply to questions above:
my phone is... Samsung Galaxy Stardust Model SM-766C
Android version is... version 4.3.

new questions:
1] if it is important for me to know ...
what is a CDMA based phone?

2] settings displays my network connections to be:
wi-fi
Bluetooth
data usage
more networks
is Bluetooth the one I should use when away from home?

 
Different carriers use different cellular networks. There's some overlap but for the most part Sprint and Verizon use CDMA, and AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. More details here:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407896,00.asp

As for Bluetooth, that's for short range wireless connectivity. It's good for connecting different devices, like your phone to wireless headphones or a computer to a wireless mouse. Generally things within a few feet of each other. When you're away from home your phone will be using 'data usage'.


Also you might find these sites helpful, one is just a review with hardware specs, the other is the Tracfone help site for your model, and the third is a User Manual:
http://tracfonereviewer.blogspot.com/2015/03/samsung-galaxy-stardust-s766c-for.html

http://tracfone.deviceanywhere.com/tracfone/home.seam?custId=TFSAS766C

http://img-tf.deviceanywhere.com//tracfone/pub/25463/docs/766C English.pdf
 
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