(With Download Links + Amateur Radio Recommendations)

Staying online isn’t always guaranteed, especially for hams operating portable in the field, during emergencies, or deep in nature. Having the right offline map app can make a huge difference—not only for navigation but also for grid locators, elevation info, and terrain awareness.

Below are the top offline map apps for Android and iOS, complete with download links and insights on which ones work best for amateur radio use like SOTA, POTA, or EMCOMM support.

🥇 HERE WeGo – Best for General Travel and Road Navigation

HERE WeGo offers full-country downloads and works well offline. While not ham-specific, it’s great for mobile operators who need reliable street-level navigation to get into remote parks, trails, or hilltops.

Best For:

• Driving to field locations
• Traveling to POTA/SOTA spots
• Road navigation when cell service drops

Download:

• Android
• iOS

🧭 Organic Maps – Best for Hiking, Field Ops, and Privacy

A top pick for SOTA, APRS, and field work. Organic Maps is 100% offline, open-source, and privacy-focused. It includes topographic detail, walking trails, and elevation shading—all useful for ham operators planning summit hikes or working off-grid.

Best For:

• SOTA activations
• APRS or Winlink in remote areas
• Ham radio go-bag maps
• Offline grid-square awareness (with plugins or overlays)

Download:

• Android
• iOS

🛰️ OsmAnd – Best for Custom Layers and Advanced Field Ops

OsmAnd is incredibly powerful for amateur radio. It supports GPX tracks, elevation contours, offline hill shading, plugins (like APRS objects, AIS, etc.), and full OSM detail. Excellent for plotting radio paths, working with topo maps, or viewing repeater locations.

Best For:

• Advanced field planning (SOTA, POTA, grid chasing)
• Custom overlays (repeaters, APRS stations)
• Offline terrain awareness
• Working without cell service

Download:

• Android
• iOS

🗺️ MAPS.ME – Best for Casual Use and Quick Downloads

MAPS.ME is lightweight and fast. It supports offline turn-by-turn and basic hiking trails, but is less suited for technical or topographic needs. Still, it’s handy for casual ham operators needing a quick map while portable.

Best For:

• Quick reference when out operating
• Backup map for field work

Download:

• Android
• iOS

🚗 Sygic GPS Navigation – Best for Driving and Smart Features

Sygic is a strong option for mobile operators traveling between POTA sites or setting up mobile APRS stations. It offers offline 3D maps, speed alerts, and detailed turn-by-turn guidance.

Best For:

• Mobile ham operators
• Driving between activations
• Safe road navigation with speed data

Download:

• Android
• iOS

🚦 Magic Earth – Best Free Alternative with Real-Time Traffic

Magic Earth is a lesser-known option but very capable. It offers free offline navigation and can serve ham operators who want a smooth UI with offline capabilities and real-time traffic when back online.

Best For:

• Road ops and travel to ham events
• Aesthetic interface + dashcam mode
• Free alternative to Google Maps

Download:

• Android
• iOS

📡 Best Picks for Amateur Radio Use

🎯 Final Thoughts for Ham Radio Operators

• For portable/field operations (SOTA, EMCOMM, Grid):
  Go with Organic Maps or OsmAnd — they offer the best terrain detail, full offline functionality, and flexibility.
• For driving between locations or POTA parks:
  Use HERE WeGo, Magic Earth, or Sygic for turn-by-turn and offline routing.
• For lightweight offline access:
  MAPS.ME is quick, simple, and does the job in a pinch.