Lost without internet? Here's how to share location offline on the phone
But what happens when you don't have internet access?
Imagine you're hiking in a remote area, stuck during travel, or facing a sudden emergency in a spot where there's no data signal or Wi-Fi. It's in such unpredictable moments that knowing how to share the location without the internet can be more than convenient, and also life-saving.
Fortunately, smartphones have built-in tools that can help to communicate the exact location even when one is offline.
This can be done by only using GPS and SMS, both of which don't require an internet connection. Even if you can't open Google Maps or send a WhatsApp location, there are reliable, simple methods you can use that work as long as your phone has an active SIM card.
Whether you use an iPhone or Android, you can share your exact coordinates in just a few taps.
Here are some easy ways to do it
The process is surprisingly easy and works as long as your phone has a working SIM card for sending an SMS.
For iPhone users
If you're using an iPhone, just open the Compass app, which comes pre-installed in the phone. At the bottom of the screen, there is a message showing the exact latitude and longitude of your present location. Tap and hold this line until the 'Copy' option pops up, then tap it. You can now paste this information into a regular text message and send it to someone without using the internet as the text message does not require any internet or wifi connection.
For Android users
Open Google Maps and let it access your location. Your current position should show up by default. If not, tap the blue dot that marks your spot. Your latitude and longitude will be displayed at the top of the screen. Copy those numbers and send them via SMS.
If the Google Maps app does not access your current location, then preinstall a Compass App on your phone and repeat the same process to avoid last-minute hassles.
What is the next step?
Once someone receives your coordinates, they can paste them into Google Maps or any map app to find your exact spot.
This is incredibly useful in emergencies or when you're somewhere remote. It can even help rescuers locate you faster if needed.
This trick is helpful in many situations, whether you're lost, stranded with a flat tire, or simply trying to meet someone without using mobile data. GPS functions without the internet, so one can still get their coordinates even if they're deep in the mountains or off the grid. It's also great for travelers who want to avoid roaming charges while abroad.
For those using an iPhone 14 or later, there's even better news. Apple's latest updates confirm that the new iOS 18 also has a feature where one can text someone directly via satellite, even if they don't have an active SIM, Wi-Fi, or internet. But for everyone else, the simple method of copying GPS coordinates and sending them via SMS remains a reliable and easy solution.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Apple CEO Tim Cook on Apple's 18 Years journey to 3 Billion iPhones
Apple has now shipped three billion iPhones since the launch of the original iPhone 18 years ago, in 2007. During Apple's third-quarter earnings call, CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company shipped its three billionth iPhone during the quarter. Apple also reported $94 billion in revenue, with iPhone sales contributing $44.6 billion, nearly half of its total quarterly revenue. While it took nine years to reach the first billion iPhones sold in 2016, the company hit two billion by 2021, just five years later. The jump from two to three billion took only four years, signaling growing global demand despite market saturation concerns. iPhone sales jumped 13% year-over-year in the quarter ending June 2025, with analysts suggesting tariff concerns may have driven purchases. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman noted that consumers likely bought iPhones fearing future price increases due to President Trump's proposed tariffs, which already cost Apple $800 million last quarter and are projected to reach $1.1 billion next quarter. While company executive Eddy Cue recently admitted consumers "may not need an iPhone 10 years from now," CEO Tim Cook pushed back against concerns about advanced AI replacing the iPhone, stating "it's difficult to see a world" without iPhones during Q3 2025 earnings call. Apple's slow rollout of AI features has left analysts mixed on its competitive edge, even as the company attempts to diversify through its Vision Pro headset and expanded AI initiatives.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Bad news for Sundar Pichai's Google, loses appeal in…, major victory for video game maker…
Home Business Bad news for Sundar Pichai's Google, loses appeal in…, major victory for video game maker… Bad news for Sundar Pichai's Google, loses appeal in…, major victory for video game maker… Google is also facing a proposed breakup of its advertising technology as part of the countermeasures to its monopoly in that business. A trial on that proposal is scheduled to begin in September. Sundar Pichai- File image A federal appeals court has upheld a jury verdict declaring Google's Android app store an illegal monopoly, due to which a federal judge can implement changes at increasing consumer choice. The unanimous decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is a legal setback for Google. It is the third major antitrust ruling against the tech giant since late 2023, with various aspects of its digital empire being found in violation of monopoly laws. How Will Verdict Benefit Google's Competitors? It is considered a major victory for video game maker Epic Games, which launched a legal battle against Google's Play Store for Android apps and Apple's iPhone app store nearly five years ago in an attempt to bypass payment processing systems that charged 15% to 30% commissions on in-app transactions. What Jury Found About Google? Following a month-long trial, a nine-person jury determined that Google had rigged its system to thwart alternative app stores from offering better deals to consumers and software developers. That verdict resulted in US District Judge James Donato ordering Google to tear down digital walls shielding the Play Store from competition, triggering the company's appeal to overturn the jury's finding and void the judge's mandated shakeup. But a three-judge panel that heard Google's appeal in February rejected its lawyers' contention that Donato erred by allowing the case to be determined by a jury that deviated from the market definition outlined by another federal judge who mostly sided with Apple in Epic's case against the iPhone maker's app store. What Was Google's Stand In Case? Google has argued that the required revisions will raise privacy and security risks by exposing consumers to scam artists and hackers masquerading as legitimate app stores. But Epic's lawyers have ridiculed Google's warnings about the changes as scare tactics in a desperate attempt to protect the fortunes of its corporate parent Alphabet Inc. Although Epic fell short in its attempt to have the iPhone's app store declared a monopoly, that case resulted in a judge issuing an order that required Apple to surrender exclusive control over the payment processing of in-app transactions and allow links to alternative systems without collecting a commission. (With Inputs From Agencies) For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Business News on
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Karnataka IT minister expresses concern over US tariffs; says Centre must act fast
The remark comes at a time when Karnataka – already a thriving hub for innovation and technology – is seeking to expand its footprint in high-end electronics manufacturing with players like Apple suppliers Foxconn and Tata Electronics. He urged the Centre to take swift and decisive action to protect the country's electronics manufacturing ecosystem. New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday expressed concern over the US decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports, warning that it could undermine the country's competitiveness against emerging rivals like Vietnam. 'This requires a lot more deep dive because it has been 24 hours since the US has announced these trade tariffs. But I think this is something that the Government of India seriously needs to look at,' Kharge told PTI in an interview. He highlighted the competitive challenges India faces against competing nations like Vietnam, now with these tariffs. 'If you look at the people whom we are competing at the global scale as a country, it is with Vietnam and China, Indonesia, and we are the highest in Asia…Vietnam is at 20 per cent,' he said. Kharge emphasised the limitations of state governments in addressing global trade issues and called upon the Centre to assess and strengthen its policy response to safeguard India's interests. 'So quite naturally, it will have some sort of bearing. And this is something that the state governments cannot do alone. And we are willing to support the central government in whatever way we can. But the point remains…a massive miscalculation of policies by the central government..,' he said. Stating that 'so-called proximity' with US had not yielded any results for India, Kharge said: 'in fact, it has become quite devastating for smaller manufacturers as well. So this is something that I think the central government needs to pull up, get their act together on'. Kharge said it's only natural for countries to protect their own ecosystems, and as the US pushes its 'Make America Great Again' agenda, India too must safeguard its own interests. 'Look, quite naturally, see, everybody will protect their ecosystem. While the President of the United States will try the MAGA slogan of 'Make America Great Again', we need to protect ecosystems as well,' he said. Geographical boundaries have become almost non-existent, due to factors like technology, cost of labour, cost of production, innovation, and cost of servicing the entire supply chain is very important, he noted. 'And the strides that we have made in Karnataka or for India, we stand to lose if we don't solve this problem, early on. And I think, like I said, again, at the cost of sounding repetitive, central government should get its act together on this. Yes, it's going to have some sort of effect on the bigger manufacturers… the supply chain is very important,' he said. He said it is still too early to assess the response of the entire ecosystem. 'So we'll have to wait-and-watch and see before I can comment anything on the entire ecosystem… It's just not about Apple or about Foxconn. It's just not about their OEMs. We are manufacturing on scale for various components across sectors, whether it is smartphones, semiconductors or space tech. And I think we should see this ecosystem as a whole and not for one particular company,' Kharge said. Asked if the state government is in touch with electronics manufacturing companies and technology players to assess their next course of action, he said: 'We have spoken to a few people. And of course, they're also a little uncertain, rather, and they don't want to have any knee-jerk reactions for whatever the American government has to say.' 'So I think everybody is just waiting and watching what central government will do..,' he said. The US has announced a 25 per cent tariff on India as the White House released a list of duties that Washington will levy on exports from nations across the globe. In an Executive Order titled 'Further Modifying The Reciprocal Tariff Rates' President Donald Trump announced tariff rates for nearly 70 nations around the world. PTI MBI ANZ HVA This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
