Maps & preparation
How to use offline hiking maps in Aus Trails
By Aus Trails · Reviewed against the current app.
Prepare your map while you are connected, then check what your device has actually saved. Aus Trails includes offline-area downloads in the free app; the useful distinction is between a saved map, a loaded route and services that still need the internet.
Download an area before leaving reception
Open the trail browser and find the offline-area download control. It uses your current location as the centre, so allow location access when you choose to use it. The available radii are 10 km, 25 km and 50 km.
The smaller area keeps more close-in detail. A larger radius covers more ground at a lower maximum zoom level. Choose the area for the outing you are preparing, and watch the download status rather than assuming that pressing the button completed it.
- Open the trail browser on the device you will carry.
- Choose an offline-area radius and start the download while connected.
- Wait for completion and check whether any tiles failed to download.
Load the individual trail as well as the map
Map tiles describe the land around you. The route geometry describes the line of the trail. They are separate resources, and an area-tile download does not by itself mean every individual trail page in that area has been opened.
Visit the trail page while online, allow its route to load, and look over the section of the map you expect to use. Test that view without a connection on the same device before your outing. This also helps you notice missing details while you can still download them.
Keep the saved map on the same device
Offline content is stored by the browser or app on your device. Changing browsers, using another phone, clearing site data or losing cached data can make earlier downloads unavailable.
Available storage and browser cache management affect how much remains saved. A completed download is useful evidence of preparation, but it is worth checking it again before a later trip. If a download reports failures, reconnect and retry rather than relying on the missing area.
Know which features still need a connection
A device can obtain a GPS position without a mobile data connection, but the app still needs location permission and a usable fix. The saved map provides the background for that position; GPS does not download missing map tiles.
Buddy notifications, account updates, current weather and rain radar depend on connected services. An offline map does not relay a message to your buddies or emergency services. Treat those as separate parts of your plan.