I don't need AA to run the app on a phone, right?

[Al Cohen]

I've searched for an answer to my question inthe Forums with no luck - sorry if this has been discussed before...

I'm in the 2 week trial period for the MRA Navigation Next app. I created a test route in the web RoutePlanner, with renamed Shape and Via points, and everything worked fine in the MRA app on my Samsung S24 phone. I concurrently tested using Android Auto in my car, and while general functionality was fine, the glaring difference was AA did not show my renamed waypoint names the way my phone did. I rename most waypoints, so this feature is critical for me. So...

I currently have a very old Garmin nuvi that I use the web Connector to export my gpx 1.1 routes to (and it shows my waypoint names). I like the idea of replacing the nuvi with a 6" rugged phone and not having to export/import to a GPS anymore. I see ALOT of discussion regarding AA/Carplay. I understand using that if your bike has this capability, but I would think the vast majority of motorcycles on the road are like my Harley Sport Glide and do not have that built in.

In my situation, I'd just mount the phone, would not need a SIMM card, and run the MRA Nav app in offline mode after downloading the maps, right? Or I could enable a hotspot on my Samsung S24 and run online, right? Either way, I never have to mess with AA, right? I've used Tyre and myroute-app for close to 10 yrs, but I'm new to non-GPS navigation, so I appreciate the feedback and tips.

[Brian McG]

@Al-Cohen sounds like you have it pretty got it all sussed right
yes, the link up to AA does have quite a few kinks & missing detail
yes, you can run MRA on a stand alone phone without anything to do with AA or without a sim card / network
that is exactly how I run mine
yes, you can hook up to your hot spot, I sometimes do but normally I just connect to the hotel Wifi before the days trip if i need to update / sync any routes

[Con Hennekens]

New bikes (and cars for sure) more often offer AA/CP functionality each year. My honest opinion is that for in my car (usually no scenic routes) that is just fine, but for on my bike (usually scenic routes) I consider it too complex and without too many of the operational elements we get in the full fledged app.

An Android phone with military specs can be had really cheap nowadays and I consider that to be preferred for many years already. The app can function completely offline if you want, except of course for the syncing of routes. Like you say home or hotel wifi, and hotspots if necessary, are perfectly fine.

[Al Cohen]

Thanks guys. Since you've been so helpful, here's a related question

I plan to get a 2nd phone for Nav use and run it offline with downloaded maps, and synched routes before starting the day. When you select a route from the library there are Navigate, Edit and Download buttons. I assume I need to Download the day's route as well or I'd lose navigation as soon as I lost wifi signal, right?

[Nick Carthew]

@Al-Cohen said in I don't need AA to run the app on a phone, right?:

Thanks guys. Since you've been so helpful, here's a related question
I assume I need to Download the day's route as well or I'd lose navigation as soon as I lost wifi signal, right?

No, that is why you sync all routes. Syncing the routes makes them available for offline navigation. Just open your route and tap Navigate.

[Con Hennekens]

@Al-Cohen, Do what @Nick-Carthew suggests... Open the routes menu, tap the 3-dot menu top right en enable "Sync all my routes". You never need to look again! Just open the menu once before leaving home or hotel. The download functions are mainly there to enable transfer of routes to units like Zumo's and Riders.

If you have not chosen a second phone yet, check out the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. Do buy a bumpercase along with it though. That's the one I would by at the moment.

[Peter Zehentreiter]

@Al-Cohen @Con-Hennekens
I have a Motorola Edge 40 and was very happy with Android 14.

Since updating to Android 15, the phone is no longer usable for me.

The Bluetooth connection to the Silverfox controller has to be reset every day.

Also, since Android 15, the phone's start menu no longer allows apps to be arranged in landscape format.

So if you decide to buy a Motorola phone, I would check beforehand whether it meets your requirements.

[Con Hennekens]

@Peter-Zehentreiter said in I don't need AA to run the app on a phone, right?:

So if you decide to buy a Motorola phone, I would check beforehand whether it meets your requirements.

That's good advice for any phone of course. But I do not recognize the issues you describe from my Thinkphone with Android 15. It does landscape just fine, also the Android main screen. And my Silverfox connects immediately anytime.

[Dave J 0]

@Con-Hennekens I have a Google Pixel 6 Pro and the Home Screen landscape view has been removed with Android 16. You still have landscape in those apps that enable landscape but not the Home Scren showing your apps.

More info from users on Reddit. One of the reasons I had the phone was for the Home Screen Autozoom rotate to landscape.

[Marinus van Deudekom]

In my Samsung S24FE with Android 16 landscape mode is possible on all screens

[Marinus van Deudekom]

@Peter-Zehentreiter said in I don't need AA to run the app on a phone, right?:

The Bluetooth connection to the Silverfox controller has to be reset every day.

If your SilverFox has to be reset everyday I would advise you to disconnect it from your device. Then connect it again. If the problem stays update the software of the SilverFox

[Con Hennekens]

@Dave-J-0, yeah, I just checked my Pixel 8 Pro, and I see what you mean indeed. I have no idea why google keeps making people angry with unthinkable changes like this. However, exactly for my nav-phone, I think this is pretty ideal, since I exclusively use it for Navigation in landscape

[Dave J 0]

@Con-Hennekens As you say, it is what it is but I do miss the Autorotate. Like you though, my Pixel 6 Pro is just used for navigation in landscape.