Im looking for a phone GPS app that can work with limited cell service. This would be for hiking in the woods not roads. I want to be able to track my path on a map and be able to follow the route to return.

My phone is able to call/text but I do not have mobile data in this location.

Google Maps GPS shows on the map except it does not trace my path.

There are loads of apps that will do this.

On Android, I've used Backcountry Navigator and Gaia GPS with good results.

I use GAIA GPS. GPS works without phone signal, and you can download the maps of the location you're headed so you will have offline service. It will record your tracks along with speed/ distance/ elevation logging. You can save your routes for later or share them with others. You can also download tracks others have created and shared if you would like to follow them. It also has tools to create routes before going in. You set waypoints and the route will kind of "snap" to the trail or road you are planning on following. It will give you distance and elevation information for your planned route.

It also has a whole lot of other map overlays available that I've found incredibly useful (public/ private property, forest service roads, national parks, trails, aviation charts, nautical stuff, etc.)- way more functionality than I will ever need but there if you want to learn it.

+1 on Gaia GPS. There’s a bit of a learning curve but, imho, it’s the best one out there today.

Avenza maps.

For those without a smart phone (yes, we exist), there is a neat little gadget called an I-gotU. I carry one when I'm on a trip to know where I've taken photos.
https://proofpronto.com/gps-tr...u-20-day-gps-logger/

They are claiming a 20-day battery life, but mine only goes about 20 hours on a charge. Maybe they've got better batteries now. ETA: just read further, the 20 days is using it 1 hour/day, so the battery is good for about 20 hours use on a charge.

flashguy

GPS Odometer works perfectly w/o cellular connection. I used it until I got my iPhone 12. Its built-in pedometer is so accurate that I don’t need GPS.

I have used Avenza and Paper Maps apps. Both work well.

Cheers~

I used OnX Hunt app and downloaded the map I was going to be in when I had internet signal.

Once I was out in the field, I had no cell service and it worked great. It plotted my hunt and I was able to drop markers.

The key is downloading the map before you go. The GPS works without cell service.

Tony.

My brother hunts in an area in the west part of the county and LTE is scarce down in the draws. He had used BackCountry Navigator for several years.

I've used the marine version of Navionics. Pretty well done too.

Backcountry Navigator Pro is what I've been using for quite a while. Has pretty much supplanted my Garmin 62s handheld.

https://www.alltrails.com

I don't use it but a coworker that like to hike does and swears by it. A phone app.
I think you can view and use other peoples uploaded treks or create and save your own etc.

I'm sure it will do what you want but may be more than what you need.