Smartwatch offers a variety of features that enhance our daily lives. Among these features, GPS (Global Positioning System) technology stands out, making smartwatches even more versatile and functional. GPS enables precise location tracking, making it invaluable for outdoor fitness activities, navigation during walks or rides, location sharing, and much more. This article provides a comprehensive, well-researched guide on how to use and enable GPS on a smartwatch, drawing insights from personal experiences and those of friends and family.
How To Use GPS In A Smartwatch?
1. Compatibility:
Before getting started, check if your smartwatch supports GPS functionality. You can easily confirm this by referring to the user manual included in the box. If your smartwatch has GPS, you’re ready to proceed!
2. Access settings:
You can access the smartwatch settings by clicking on the settings icon, or depending on the smartwatch’s interface, you may need to swipe down from the top of the screen.
3. Find a location or GPS setting:
Scroll to find the location or GPS setting.
4. Enable GPS:
You’ll see the on and off toggle; you can turn it on.
5. Permission:
Some smartwatches require users to grant permission for apps to access their location.
6. Connect to a Smartphone (if needed):
Some smartwatches rely on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity to access GPS functionality.
7. Update firmware or apps (if needed):
To effectively use GPS on a smartwatch, it’s important to stay updated. Regularly check for firmware updates for your smartwatch and ensure that GPS-related apps are updated to their latest versions. Installing these updates will help maintain optimal performance. By following these steps, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how to use GPS on your smartwatch.
How to Check if Your Smartwatch Supports GPS
To check GPS availability on your smartwatch, open GPS-related apps like Google Maps or fitness tracking apps. Verify if your location is displayed accurately. If you’re wondering how to use Google Maps on a smartwatch, simply download the app from the Google Play Store, just as you would on your phone. Alternatively, you can refer to the user manual for additional guidance.
Technology Used Behind Smartwatch GPS
1. How Does GPS Work In A Smartwatch?
There are 24 satellites in total that are responsible for detecting your exact position, and at least 4 satellites are needed to determine the coordinates of your smartwatch on Earth. The smartwatch receives signals from these satellites, and each brand uses its own algorithm to process the data and display your precise location.
2. Gps Vs. Other Location Technologies In Smartwatches
Several Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) exist, such as GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou. Among them, GPS is the most well-known due to its high accuracy and other key advantages.
3. Built-in GPS And Connected GPS In Smartwatches
There are two types of GPS smartwatches available on the market. The first type features built-in GPS, meaning the technology is already integrated into the smartwatch. These smartwatches are mobile-independent, allowing you to use GPS without needing your phone.
However, built-in GPS smartwatches tend to be more expensive and consume more battery compared to basic smartwatches. The second type is connected GPS, which relies on your smartphone’s GPS through Bluetooth connectivity. These smartwatches require your phone to function, making them more battery-efficient but dependent on your phone for navigation.
4. Understanding GPS Accuracy In Smartwatches
Several factors can affect the accuracy of smartwatches, including weather conditions and your location on Earth. For instance, if you’re in an area with poor satellite signal reception, such as under a covered structure, GPS accuracy can be compromised. Additionally, different smartwatch brands may provide varying results due to the unique algorithms and functionalities they use to support their GPS features.
Privacy And Security Considerations On Smartwatches
GPS is used for tracking your location and activities, but using every technology raises the consideration of privacy and security. You must be aware of any kind of advantages and disadvantages.
i. App Permission:
Check your permissions for the app you have installed, like storage, camera location, and so on. When you feel that there is no need for permission for this particular app, you can simply turn it off. Otherwise, the app owner has access to your current location.
ii. Geotagging:
When you share your content, which may include geotags of your exact location with others, be assured that your location can be shared publicly. And there are many things to consider. It can be discussed in another article about the advantages and disadvantages of GPS in smartwatches.
8 Uses Of GPS In a Smartwatch
Is GPS useful in smartwatches? Yes Of course! Here are the following uses that will impact your lifestyle
1. Fitness Tracking:
Using GPS can monitor your outdoor activities like running, cycling, biking, etc. It shows you real-time data.
2. Navigation:
GPS-enabled smartwatches provide turn-by-turn directions while running, riding, or driving. It is a handy benefit that you can utilize without using your phone.
3. Location Sharing:
It is the most useful advantage of enabled GPS in a smartwatch that you can easily share your location with your family members or friends. It is a safety feature you should use for your child.
4. Geofencing:
You can set up virtual boundaries. This feature will alert you when you enter or leave these predefined areas. It enhances parenting control.
5. Weather Information:
Smartwatches with GPS can provide information on the weather according to your area. You can plan your day.
6. Calorie Tracking:
Some smartwatches with GPS can estimate and provide you with a result of your daily calorie burn based on your daily life activities.
7. Location-based Reminder:
You can set a reminder when you reach a particular location, such as a grocery store or your workplace.
8. Location History:
GPS-enabled smartwatches can store your location history, like where you have been at that particular time, which can be useful for personal and business-related information.
7 Secret And Useful Tips To Use GPS In Smartwatches
1. Battery-saving mode:
Using Battery Saving Mode is a great way to enhance battery life. This feature reduces the frequency of GPS updates and other power-intensive features in your smartwatch.
2. Use GPS only when you need to:
Turn off the GPS feature when you don’t need to use GPS because when you turn on this feature aimlessly, it consumes battery.
3. Preload maps:
As you already know, you can download a specific area on your smartwatch, just as you can on your mobile phone on the Map App. You need to download the map once on your smartwatch and can utilize it until you accidentally delete the data.
4. Update software:
Keep your smartwatch software updated. Manufacturers release updated smartwatch software versions. Sometimes it helps smartwatch users by reducing the battery-consuming factor on different functionalities.
5. Charge before a GPS-intensive activity:
Ensure that your battery is fully charged before embarking on a GPS-intensive activity. As a result, you’ll get maximum battery life to work with because, in some brands, GPS features consume battery, as I informed you about.
6. Location history cleanup:
Using GPS stores the location history. When you feel that there is no need for the history of the location, you should clean this up. It enhances the smartwatch’s overall performance.
7. Use airplane mode:
When you are not using GPS and other wireless features, you can simply use airplane mode. It turns off all wireless features, and ultimately, you will get enhanced smartwatch performance.
Does GPS Work Without Being Connected To The Internet?
Wi-Fi is not necessary to use GPS. This feature works independently without relying on internet connectivity. GPS receives signals from satellites that orbit the Earth to determine your location. Wi-Fi can also be used with GPS, such as when you use maps and other GPS-related apps.
What’s Wrong With Simply Using My Phone to Use GPS instead of Smartwatch?
Well, the use of GPS in smartwatches and phones is totally up to your requirements. They both have advantages and disadvantages. If we talk about convenience, a smartwatch is easily accessible on your wrist; on the other hand, a phone takes time to take out of your pocket.
The use of GPS in phones can drain the smartphone’s battery quickly, while a smartwatch is the best option in this case for longer GPS usage. But if you need more details, then you should use a smartphone because of its user-friendly navigation experience, and you can handle a wide range of tasks related to GPS.
If you need accuracy, then I suggest you use a smartwatch. Smartwatches are highly effective for these kinds of features like fitness tracking, GPS, heart rate monitoring, and outdoor activities. It gives you more accuracy than phones because it has been created for this purpose. Most of the new smartwatches come waterproof, which is a plus point as compared to phones.
Conclusion
All right, I would like to say that the use of GPS in smartwatches and the use of GPS-related apps are present and are also the future but more advanced. Such a wearable gadget that is filled with different kinds of valuable tools in a compact device is excellent. I hope You have learned how to use GPS in a smartwatch through all aspects, and I would like to recommend that at least once, but you should use a built-in GPS smartwatch. In some of my other articles, I will tell you about the best built-in GPS smartwatches available in the market