Useful Local Navigation

Useful Local Navigation—Instantly find nearby shops & spots with offline maps!

◇◇◇ Thanks to your support, Useful Local Navigation series has surpassed 500,000 downloads on smartphones and tablets (iOS & Android)! ◇◇◇

Useful Local Navigation – Point & Search!Discover stores, facilities, and spots around you quickly and easily! Simply point your smartphone in any direction to instantly see what's nearby.

Due to changes in Google API usage fees, Google searches are limited to 150 daily requests. After this limit, the app will use HERE API and Yahoo! JAPAN search.

New Feature (v3.0.0): Offline Maps!

Download maps to your device in advance, ensuring reliable navigation even without internet connectivity. Use this along with offline KML import (spot information) and your saved favorite locations for seamless offline navigation.

〇Key Features:

- Quick search for nearby stores and facilities by keywords (restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, hospitals, banks, stations, and more).

- GPS tracking ("footprints") helps you avoid getting lost.

- AR View and electronic compass provide clear, intuitive directional guidance.

- Easily save search terms or favorite locations for quick future access.

- Quickly relocate the map center with "@location" search commands.

- Clear distance displays to nearby spots.

- Integrated with Google Maps for accurate route navigation.

- Easily switch between Google Maps and offline maps directly from the app.

- Supports importing offline KML/KMZ files for additional local spot information.

- Share your location or destination via email with links to Useful Local Navigation or Google Maps, accessible even by friends using basic phones.

〇Usage Tips:

- Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data when possible.

- Ensure your device has an electronic compass for AR features.

- To speed up GPS acquisition, consider using GPS-enhancing apps or restarting your device if signals are weak.

- Format your microSD card as exFAT when downloading large offline maps (over 8GB).

★★★ In case the GPS signal is poor or slow ★★★

If the app has difficulty acquiring your current location (if the text at the top indicating “Acquiring” does not disappear), try using an app that enhances GPS capture along with Useful Local Navigation.

Pre-acquiring GPS data with an app that helps capture GPS signals can “warm up” the GPS, thereby improving location acquisition in Useful Local Navigation.

Also, try restarting your device, moving to a location where GPS signals are available, or checking if an eco mode (activated by low battery) is disabling GPS.

〇In emergencies, to extend battery life:

You can reduce battery consumption by turning off the camera view in the settings.

If the app unexpectedly closes, having a favorite destination registered (by long-pressing in the menu) will allow you to quickly display your destination by tapping the favorite.

〇Offline Map Download

Offline maps can be downloaded from the settings.

When storing an 8GB (or larger) map file on an external SD card, please format your microSD card to exFAT instead of FAT32.

〇Offline Map Providers:

© Geospatial Information Authority of Japan

© OpenStreetMap contributors

〇Compatibility:

- Android OS 5.0 or later

- OpenGL ES version 2 or higher

Download Useful Local Navigation today and transform your smartphone or tablet into the ultimate navigation tool!