Strava and Komoot finally bring offline maps to Apple Watch | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Strava and Komoot finally bring offline maps to Apple WatchComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechStrava and Komoot finally bring offline maps to Apple WatchKomoot’s app provides turn-by-turn navigation and doesn’t require a subscription.Komoot’s app provides turn-by-turn navigation and doesn’t require a subscription.by Thomas RickerCloseThomas RickerDeputy EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Thomas RickerJan 27, 2026, 10:25 AM UTCLinkShareGiftKomoot offers more features to all users for free, including turn-by-turn navigation. Image: KomootThomas RickerCloseThomas RickerPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Thomas Ricker is a deputy editor and Verge co-founder with a passion for human-centric cities, e-bikes, and life as a digital nomad. He’s been a tech journalist for 20 years.Strava and Komoot — two of the most popular apps for cyclists, hikers, and runners — are each bringing offline maps to the Apple Watch, ending a major source of frustration for many. Now you can easily see routes and record your workouts all in your preferred app, without having to bring along a relatively heavy and cumbersome iPhone.Strava says the offline maps are only available to subscribers, but Komoot’s offering is free (though you might have to pay to unlock additional map regions) and also bakes in turn-by-turn navigation. Strava subscribers pay $11.99/month or $79.99/year plus any taxes.Stava’s implementation is very basic so far, without offering any turn-by-turn navigation. Image: StravaOne of the biggest selling points of the Apple Watch Ultra has been its ability to function without an iPhone. But athletes still needed to bring their phones along if they wanted glanceable, turn-by-turn routes on their wrists, or pay extra for apps like WorkOutDoors or (my personal favorite) Footpath. Switching between apps was less than seamless and downright oppressive compared to wearing a Garmin watch. Offline maps in Strava and Komoot brings the two platforms closer together as Apple slowly pecks away at Garmin’s advantages.DesFit has an excellent overview of the Komoot app, which does the basics for now, but does them better than Strava. Komoot says more advanced features like auto-rerouting will arrive in future updates.“Our goal was to make Komoot’s Apple Watch app fully capable on its own,” said Tom Eldred, product manager at Komoot. “For many of us, the ability to disconnect is the best part of being outdoors, so we wanted the community to have the freedom to leave their phone at home — or at least in their pocket.”Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Thomas RickerCloseThomas RickerDeputy EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Thomas RickerAppleCloseApplePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AppleGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechWearableCloseWearablePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All WearableMost PopularMost PopularTikTok USA is brokenPayment processors were against CSAM until Grok started making itThe great e-bike crackdown has begunEven the big dick subreddit is mad about ICEIntel Panther Lake laptop CPU review: call it a comebackThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Strava and Komoot have introduced offline maps functionality to the Apple Watch, a significant step toward addressing a long-standing frustration for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. This development marks a tangible shift in the wearable tech landscape, allowing users to record workouts and navigate using these popular apps without the need to constantly tether to their iPhones. The implementation, however, is currently differentiated by the subscription models of the two companies. Strava’s offline maps are currently available only to its paying subscribers, who pay $11.99/month or $79.99/year plus any applicable taxes. Komoot, on the other hand, offers this feature freely, although users may incur expenses for unlocking expanded map regions, representing a strategic choice intended to broaden user adoption. Komoot’s offering also incorporates turn-by-turn navigation, an element currently absent from Strava's implementation at this stage. This difference in approach highlights the distinct approaches each company is taking to leverage the Apple Watch’s capabilities. The arrival of offline maps represents a direct challenge to established players like Garmin, who had previously dominated the market for navigation-focused wearables. The Apple Watch Ultra’s marketing centered around its ability to operate independently of a smartphone, and the addition of reliable offline maps significantly enhances this capability. Thomas Ricker, a deputy editor and co-founder of The Verge, notes that the shared goal is to enable users to “disconnect,” a core desire for many who engage in outdoor activities. This connectivity allows users to operate without relying on their phones, providing greater freedom and flexibility while exploring. Komoot's product manager, Tom Eldred, emphasizes the importance of user autonomy and the desire to allow the community to leave the phone at home. The development is currently positioned as a basic implementation, with Komoot promising to introduce more advanced features, including auto-rerouting capabilities, in future updates. This signifies a phased approach, prioritizing a functional foundational experience before layering in more sophisticated capabilities. Ultimately, the introduction of offline maps by Strava and Komoot represents a key moment within the wearable tech sector, strategically challenging existing market dynamics and broadening the utility of the Apple Watch, particularly for those who prioritize untethered outdoor adventures.