# Handy GPS

> A fully featured, great value hiking GPS for the real world. No signup required.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/binaryearth.handygps](https://chrome-stats.com/d/binaryearth.handygps)

## Overview

- **ID:** `binaryearth.handygps`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** BinaryEarth
- **Category:** MAPS\_AND\_NAVIGATION
- **Downloads:** 26,287
- **Rating:** 4.22 / 5 (611 ratings)
- **Version:** 45.3
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-03
- **First published:** 2012-08-22
- **Publisher country:** AU
- **Size:** 36 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=binaryearth.handygps)
- **Website:** [http://www.binaryearth.net/HandyGPS/index.php](http://www.binaryearth.net/HandyGPS/index.php)
- **Privacy policy:** [http://www.binaryearth.net/HandyGPS/privacy.html](http://www.binaryearth.net/HandyGPS/privacy.html)

## Description

**Handy GPS** is a fully featured offline navigation app for hiking, bushwalking, mountain biking, kayaking, boating, horse riding, geocaching, and other outdoor activities. It works without network connectivity and supports latitude/longitude, UTM, MGRS, WGS84, and numerous regional datums and grid systems.

Save waypoints, record and review tracklogs, navigate to destinations with visual or spoken guidance, and import or export GPX, KML, and CSV files. The app also includes a compass, elevation profiles, GPS averaging, sunrise and sunset times, distance and area calculations, offline map support, geotagged photos, voice memos, triangulation tools, location sharing, and calorie estimates. With no ads, subscriptions, or signup required, Handy GPS is designed for reliable real-world navigation in remote areas.

## Rankings

- #390,116 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_TOPICS`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.FLASHLIGHT`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `binaryearth.handygps.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`
- `binaryearth.handygps.MAPS_RECEIVE`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID`
- `com.google.android.providers.gsf.permisson.READ_GSERVICES`

## Review summary

Handy GPS is a highly reliable and accurate GPS app praised for its ease of use, detailed features, and excellent customer support. It excels for outdoor activities like hiking and bushwalking with strong offline capabilities. However, users report issues including non-persistent waypoints, the need to keep the screen active while tracking, occasional app freezes, and challenges with data sharing due to increased security. Despite these, it remains a favored alternative to dedicated GPS devices, continually improved by its developer.

### Pros

- Reliable and accurate GPS functionality suitable for hiking, bushwalking, and backcountry navigation.
- User-friendly interface with straightforward navigation and easy export of data (KML, KMZ files).
- Good customer support with responsive developers.
- Offline maps capability allowing downloads before going into signal-limited areas.
- Features like GPS averaging and the ability to gather field data including photos and waypoints enhance usefulness for professional use.

### Cons

- Waypoints are not permanent between sessions, causing users to lose important markers.
- The app stops tracking when the phone screen goes to sleep, requiring the screen to remain on during use, which is inconvenient for long hikes.
- Recent updates cause navigation issues such as no button to return to the main screen and freezing problems.
- Data security changes have made it difficult to share or import tracks easily in the field, hindering group activities.
- Limited satellite imagery coverage and aggressive zoom on maps with far-apart waypoints can reduce effectiveness in some areas.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/binaryearth.handygps)