How to Prevent Re-Routing in Maps
We all love the convenience of mapping apps, but many of us would rather have the app stick to what we know to be the golden route instead of redirecting us all over the place to save a few minutes on traffic.
I ran into this when there is little traffic on the interstate (or freeway) and my navigation app – Google Maps or Apple Maps, depending on how I feel that day – updates my route to “save me time By sending me to accelerate down the ramp and straight to the next ramp, back onto the highway. It sounds like a jerk to me, but mapping apps don’t care about your simple human feelings, but only about the speed of your car.
Neither Google Maps nor Apple Maps has a “do not redirect me” button, which is a little annoying. I don’t think it would be that difficult for any of the services to implement this feature and bury the option somewhere in the settings menu, and it could be a real benefit for drivers who just want to stay on course on their original routes.
In the absence of that, the only real suggestions I’ve seen that might work to prevent automatic re-routing (or re-routing suggestions) involve putting your device into airplane mode. However, then you will miss out on things like texting and calling. You also won’t be able to stream music or podcasts on a long trip. (I hope you downloaded everything beforehand.)
Instead, on iOS, try going to Settings> Maps (or scroll down to find the name of the mapping app you’re using) and turn off Cellular Data. This will at least prevent the app from receiving traffic updates and redirecting you if it thinks it can find a faster way to get where you are going.
On Android, you can prevent apps from using background data, but that won’t help you if your mapping app is at the center of your device. Try an app like NetGuard instead , which lets you block all cellular access for certain apps. On Google Maps, you can also enable Wi-Fi Only mode in the app itself, which should prevent traffic from being redirected, but make sure you download an offline map of your route first.
I have also seen some users offer a completely different mapping application – Ride with GPS ( iOS and Android ). While it’ll set you back $ 50 for a year’s subscription to its “Basic” mode, which gives you turn-by-turn navigation, the app will at least let you plan routes without offering “useful” alternatives in the middle of your trip.
I haven’t personally used it, but inRoute Route Planner (iOS) – only $ 30 for a yearly subscription – lets you plan your trips ahead of time and find all sorts of places to stop along the way.
As a free alternative, Android users might want to try the offline map app MapFactor Navigator , which should also prevent annoying suggested redirects. On iOS, Maps.me offers decent offline navigation – with step-by-step instructions – without any annoying in-app purchases or ads to distract you.