Android Auto with no SIM card

[Ian Key]

I'm getting a new phone and I'm wondering if I can use my old phone, without a SIM card but connected to the car's Wi-Fi hotspot, to run Google maps etc. in Android Auto on the infotainment screen?

 

[webhiker]

My GUESS is you can, but you will not be happy.
Meaning, that I assume that MG is not paying for a big beefy dataplan and bandwith for the car. They do say that you can connect multiple users to the Hotspot, but they do not say anything about bandwidth , speed or volume

 

[siteguru]

Maps for navigation don't use a lot of data ... £5 a month for a SIM will probably give enough for your needs.

#alternative-idea

 

[PeteC]

My GUESS is you can, but you will not be happy.
Meaning, that I assume that MG is not paying for a big beefy dataplan and bandwith for the car. They do say that you can connect multiple users to the Hotspot, but they do not say anything about bandwidth , speed or volume

My wife streamed 3+ hours of Netflix with no problem using the car's hotspot on a recent long journey. She was using an old tablet with no sim so it was definitely using the hotspot. She's done that a few times on long journeys and so far no limits have kicked in.

 

[Tig170]

... I do that with an old iphone 6s, albeit using my new iphones wifi hotspot.

 

[DixieTGS]

Or you can download offline maps over WiFi when at home. You can do southern Britain up to the top of Wales in 2 chunks for example.

This gives all the main mapping data but there is still extra data needed online for the normal Google maps experience (better searching, traffic, speed cameras etc).

The last time I tried it without a sim over a year ago I had to update the maps monthly even though it said they expired after a year. Not really a problem as it is a single button press.

If you're visiting remote coastal regions which often have poor 4g coverage it may be worth considering anyway.