Hi fellow /e/ os users. Just wanted to jot down my thoughts on GPS navigation on de-googled platform. This is at least partially, if not completely, targeted toward people interested in using /e/ os as their daily driver, but concerned about giving up Google maps navigation. Also, I live in the USA. I cannot speak for how well these experiences translate to Europe, or other parts of the world. Please add your experiences too!
So you want to go de-googled platform, but the prospect of giving up the convenience of google maps is daunting. Have no fear, the landscape of GPS navigation on a murena phone is rosey and bright!
Magic Earth (/e/ os default navigation app):
I have grown to like magic earth quite a bit. The experience is more akin to traditional GPS platforms like a Garmin or Tomtom. As a navigation app, it is very capable. The only drawback is searching for locations within the app is very hit or miss (although it has gotten significantly better in the 2+ years I have been using it). Often times you have to search for an address separately and then punch it into magic earth. It is not an open source app, but /e/'s advanced privacy detects no trackers and no data leaks.
GMaps WV:
This little app can be installed via f-droid and is a game changer imo. All it is is a restricted web viewer for Google maps. This app solves the above problem with Magic Earth. If a search directly in magic earth doesnāt yield results, just open GMaps WV, find the location, and then copy-paste into Magic Earth. Problem solved. No trackers or leaks detected by advanced privacy.
Organic Maps (the oss option):
Organic Maps is an open source navigation app available through f-droid. It uses data from OpenStreetMap. I have only limited practical experience with Organic maps, but I did test it around town just to see what it is about and my initial impression is that it is quite capable. I believe Organic maps + GMaps WV would also be a viable option for navigation on your murena phone.
Waze (last but not least):
This option will probably be unappealing to those of you that are very privacy conscious. However, if you are like me, and happy with a balanced approach, waze is a strong option. What do I mean by a ābalanced approachā? Waze does have trackers. Over the past month of using Waze, advanced privacy detected 4 trackers and blocked 272 leaks. However, the app works fine with tracker blocking on. /e/ os also gives you the option granting waze location access only while the app is in use. This is what I mean, using an app with trackers with /e/'s avanced privacy tracker blocking. Is this good enough? That is for you to answer for yourself. For me, I explored Waze as an easier adjustment away from google maps for my wife. Waze is, at worst, only marginally less user friendly than google Maps navigation, in my experience. Searching locations directly works near flawlessly, and it comes with more āgoogle maps-esqueā features than magic earth. I see my wife using an app like waze on /e/, far better than having a google android phone, even if it is not perfect from a privacy standpoint. If this is you, donāt let the convenience of google maps navigation stop you from trying a murena phone. Give waze a try, I donāt think you will be unhappy overall.
Overall, my long term solution will likely be Magic Earth + GMaps WV. I have used Magic earth for over 2 years and it hasnāt let me down. I have used it on many business trips in unfamiliar places and have grown to like it. I am curious to keep an eye on Organic maps though and see how it progresses.
I am curious what the community thinks. Please share your experience with GPS navigation on /e/ os!
Hope this was helpful!
Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/OS the unGoogled mobile OS and online services