On Android and iPhone devices, the google maps app can locate and follow you wherever you are without the internet or without data. The GPS on your smartphone is able to do both things at the same time.
Google Maps uses almost nothing in terms of data. Because GPS satellite tracking is a free public service, the only data required to run Google Maps comes from downloading the maps and updating information on road conditions/traffic. This in itself does require the use of Wi-Fi or mobile data.
You can alleviate Google Maps data use completely through offline maps. To do so, simply click the three-bar menu button in the upper left-hand corner of the Google Maps application, tap Settings, and select WiFI only. A small amount of data may still be used during your trip, but Google will rely on offline maps to manage it.
Furthermore, you can change the download settings of offline maps by tapping the following:
Menu > Settings > Offline map settings > Automatically download offline maps. You can also click “Automatically update offline maps” to save more space and data, as well as choose “WiFi only” for your downloading preferences.
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